Wow, its Christmas time again. School holidays at Christmas means boating and hitting the beaches with the kids and family. I hope all you guys get out there with your family and friends and enjoy what this beautiful area has to offer.
Camping up Ocean Beach, heading up the passage to Caloundra in the boat, or cruising around Moreton Island in the boat for a week are all things that we can enjoy in the local area. There are so many awesome camping spots you can access in a boat or even better, having a boat big enough for a couple of swags or even better beds in it.
That way you can get away from the noisy crowds. Over December and January with the increase in traffic throughout the passage and bay, always keep a good eye out for pretty much anybody and anything. Kayakers, paddle boarders, jet skis, boats, yachts, swimmers, tubers, kite surfers, jetty jumpers, plus a few others thrown in as well. Another thing to be aware of is the increase in animal activity in the bay and passage.
It is early on in the storm season and already we have seen some wild weather systems and hot windy gusty days. With so many people on the water over Christmas time, it can get pretty hard to get a fish. The best bet is to fish from late afternoon till early morning. During the day you can still get up the many passage creeks and find a quiet spot.
The jacks and cod have been smashing baits and lures, with these hot humid days producing some nice fish out of the passage. Working Live baits, lures and topwater the best bet of catching a mangrove Jack. The big flatties are also thick in the passage with anywhere from Buckley’s hole right up to the Caloundra bar are producing the goods. There are some beautiful spots up past Lime Pocket campsites and up past the mouth of Coochin Creek, where you will be pretty much by yourself.
Pretty much any bait for the flatties there not that fussy. The summer whiting is also on the chew with live blood worms and yabbies being the only bait to really use. Whiting will definitely hit topwater or small plastics if worked in the right areas. Keep your eyes out also with trevally and big queenies potentially turning up anywhere in the passage.
The muddies have also been getting bigger and fuller and the Decembers full moon tides should produce the goods. We walk or kayak our pots well up past where most people can get, some spots I kayak up then get out and walk the pots up the swamp. Offshore when the weather has been ok the pelagics have been going off with wahoo, Spanish mackerel, cobia, marlin, tuna, and dolphin fish all getting taken.
Live baits, jigging and trolling skirts/hardbodies getting fish. In the bay, the schoolies and spotty’s have been getting thick with hopefully the longtail not too far behind. There still has been the odd Longie around but generally of late been very spooky. Approach upwind and preferably with an electric motor that will help.
Don’t bang and clang in the boat when chasing longies as they can be very timid and sometimes a frustrating fish to catch. Anyway, I hope everybody has a great and wonderful Christmas and new year period. And I’ll catch you all next year or maybe on the water? “So, remember don’t destroy what you came to enjoy and tight lines!”
A truly amazing perennial herb is the Grass Trigger Plant. It is called a Trigger Plant because the flower actually has a trigger in the form of its club-shaped stamen which extends from the throat of the flower.
This is bent downwards and when an insect lands it sets off a spring-like action and sprays the insect with pollen. The insect then flies to other plants spreading the pollen. Only the Stylidium species have this trigger mechanism. The trigger sets itself and is cocked ready to operate again within 20-60 minutes. People are able to activate this action by touching the trigger with a small object and watching the response.
Note the Trigger
Trigger Plants are hardy, quite drought-resistant and grow in low nutrient, sandy soils in sunny areas and quickly rejuvenate after a fire. They have thin grasslike leaves and butterfly-shaped pink flowers with five petals on tall spikes up to 75cm with up to 25 flowers on each. Four of the petals are visible while the fifth is small and tucked behind the trigger and out of sight.
The flowering period is quite long from spring to autumn. Fruits are pods about 12 mm long. There are 130 species of Stylidium in the world with most to be found in Australia. Three species occur on Bribie Island and surrounding areas with graminifolium being the most common. They are widespread in Australia being found along coastal wallum areas and dry forests up to the mountains.
Note Butterfly- like Shape
During Captain Cook’s voyage up the east coast of Australia, Stylidiumgramini folium was one of only four Stylidium species collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander. Stylidium is from the Greek Stylos referring to the stamens. Graminifolium is from the Latin gramineus which means grass-like and folium meaning a leaf.
Trigger Plants are not considered at risk but as for all wildflowers, much of their habitat is being developed. Sizable areas of the wonderful wildflower growing areas on Bribie Island have now gone and are covered by houses.
Leaden Flycatchers are reasonably common on Bribie and surrounds and most likely to be encountered in woodlands in mid to upper canopies during the summer months. They are small active, passerine birds at 14-17cm in length a little smaller than Willy Wagtails. Their weight is just 11-14g which is just a little larger than two teaspoons of sugar.
Males have dark blue-grey breasts and heads with small crests. Underparts are white. Females are quite different being grey-brown above and rufous orange on the throat and breast. Their tails are long and when perched are continually quivering. Their calls are frequent whistling sounds and can be confused with Satin Flycatchers which are not common in our area.
Juveniles are similar to females but are paler in colour. Most often they forage alone but sometimes operate in pairs. Usually, they are seen in open forests, at the edge of rainforests and often venture inland following the river courses. In Australia, they are found across the north, down the east coast to South Australia and into Tasmania.
They are migratory in the south, but their actual movements are not well known. They are also found in PNG and Indonesia. Small insects and flies picked from foliage and taken in the air are their main food source (hence the name Flycatcher). Around their bills are small bristles that act as censors and help in the capture of their prey. Breeding takes place usually between August and February.
Nests are normally built on horizontal branches in exposed areas in large trees in the forest. Often there is an overhanging branch just above to give protection. Nests are cup-like and are made of bark or lichen and woven together with cobwebs. They are cleverly built to resemble the host branch, so the nests are extremely hard to find as they resemble knobs on the wood. Clutches of 2-3 white eggs with motley strips are laid.
Leaden Flycatcher Male. Note bristles around the bill.
Both parents share the nest duties and rearing of the young. The mortality rate is very high with only a 23% success rate. Only one brood is produced each year. Flycatchers are very hard to identify as some species are quite similar. The Satin and Broad-billed Flycatchers are very much like the Leaden.
Satin Flycatchers are very rare visitors to our area while Broad-billed is confined to the far north so that it is highly unlikely but not impossible that you would see these species on Bribie Island. Leaden Flycatchers were first described by John Latham in 1801. John Latham was an English physician and ornithologist who was known as the Grandfather of Australian Ornithology.
Specimens were sent to him from Australia which he examined and documented. Threats to the Leaden Flycatcher are loss of habitat, bushfires and the usual dangers to wild birds such as reptiles and feral cats. Their conservation status is secure for now.
Members of the Sandstone Point Community only recently became aware of an enormous proposal by the Australian Seaweed Institute to construct a seaweed farm covering 66 hectares [163 acres] just offshore from Sandstone Point and in Deception Bay.
The area proposed is equivalent to 33 times the playing field of the Brisbane ‘Gabba’ cricket field. This initial project component of possibly larger ultimate development is awaiting approval by the Queensland government. The project consists of more than 900 posts installed in the sea bed and many kilometres of plastic lines strung over its 1.5 kilometre length and 440 metre width.
It is immediately adjacent to a Queensland government declared, totally protected “Green Zone”. This whole area is a habitat and feeding zone for marine turtles and dugongs which are already at risk and under severe stress. It is adjacent to one of Moreton Bays feeding grounds and roosting sites for migratory and indigenous seabirds. This area is part of Moreton Bay Ramsar wetlands – an international wetlands protection agreement signed by 170 nations including Australia.
On 16 October, a well-attended public meeting was hosted by the Sandstone Point Community Association to meet with the company to hear about what exactly is proposed and to voice their opinions and concerns. The seaweed to be grown will consist of only native Australian species which will be continually harvested and with the intention of being processed locally. The proponents are in the process of exploring interest in this multi-million dollar project from both local and international investors.
Below are the main concerns expressed by the local residents at the above meeting:
• The installation of 900 or more large and protruding posts with several kilometres of plastic ropes and other plastic infrastructure which may create an extensive visual impact on this Marine Park.
• The potential hazards to navigation and leisure activities and risks of entanglement and other impacts on marine turtles and dugongs.
• What will be the impact of all this plastic rope and other rubbish if it breaks free during storm events or high winds and washes up on our shore. Who will be responsible of cleaning this up?
• What arrangements will be in place to completely remove and dispose of this infrastructure if the project is abandoned for any reason in the future?
• Risk of Lyngbya contamination. This area already suffers from seasonal outbreaks of Lyngbya (Blue green algea). There are questions as to how this will effect and further compound this issue.
• The seaweed farm will shade the existing native seagrass seabed and result in the reduction of this important natural food source and habitats for marine creatures, including dugongs and turtles.
• This area is where a lot of fish is caught by both professional and amateur fishermen. Is this yet another area which will be closed to the fishermen with resulting loss of local jobs?
• Noise and potential disturbance from continual boat and truck traffic servicing the area.
• The current natural and undeveloped image of the marine environment is an important factor in why many choose to live here. The loss of amenity to local residents, fishers and local recreational boat traffic and damage to the natural image of the region which the project will produce will impact the desirability of this area and its property values.
We are concerned that the Queensland Government appears to be fast tracking the approval of the project which may have significant impact in the Moreton Bay Marine Park. The proposers and government have not consulted with the local community which is why our organisation stepped in and call this meeting. We were informed that the company had submitted an environment impact statement to the Queensland Government but we have been told that we can’t see this as it is ‘commercial in confidence’.
We call upon the Queensland government to immediately halt the approval process and follow proper and respectful process including consulting with the local community and other interest groups and individuals. We would also request the release of all impact assessments and risk analysis for our examination.
There is currently much debate occurring in Rotary regarding the value of traditions and whether they matter in our modern world. Membership numbers are stagnated and we are not attracting younger members. Many believe this is due to our old-fashioned traditions and style.
To me, however, ‘Traditions’ represent an important part of our culture and are the foundations of our society. If we ignore our traditions, we risk losing our identity. Notwithstanding this, we must also learn to adapt and welcome new ideas. Welcome new members – especially younger members.
Bribie Rotary is ageing and can only survive by attracting new, and younger, members. Rotary traditions include a Classification system, a motto, a Four Way Test and the symbol, the Rotary Wheel. It is a nonreligious and non-political service Club.
Classification System
Rotary’s founder Paul Harris was a lawyer. When he started the organisation, in Chicago, in 1905, his idea was to bring people together to learn how other trades and professions worked and thought.
He introduced a classification system for each member according to their profession. Founding members were Paul Harris, Lawyer; Silvester Schiele, Coal merchant; Gustavus Loehr, Mining engineer; and Hiram Shorey, Merchant tailor. Bribie Rotary still maintains the tradition, and for me it is always a talking point when meeting new members. For example, who could ever forget, the late, great Ira Quirke, whose classification was Eschatology!
Members Wearing their Classification/Name badges Barry Clark, Management Consultant and Lloyd Mackay, Watchmaker.
Founding members were (from Left) Gustavus Loehr – Mining engineer, Silvester Schiele – Coal merchant, Hiram Shorey – Merchant tailor and Paul Harris – Lawyer.
Origin of the Rotary Name
Paul Harris named the new club ‘Rotary’ because members met in “rotation” at their various places of business.
Motto
The first motto of Rotary International, ‘He Profits Most Who Serves Best’, was approved at the second Rotary Convention, held in Portland, Oregon, in 1911. The phrase was first stated by a Chicago Rotarian, Art Sheldon.
At about the same time, Ben Collins, president of the Rotary Club of Minneapolis, Minnesota, commented that the proper way to organise a Rotary club was through the principle his club had adopted – ‘Service, Not Self’. In 1989 ‘Service Above Self’ was established as the principal motto of Rotary, because it best explained the philosophy of unselfish volunteer service.
The Four Way Test
One of the most widely quoted statements of business ethics in the world is the Rotary Four Way Test. It was created by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932 and was adopted by Rotary in 1943. In 1954-55 when Herb Taylor became Rotary International President he donated the copyright to the organisation.
We ask ‘Of the things we think, say or do: 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?’
The Rotary Wheel
The first wheel design was made in 1905 by Montague Bear, a member of the Rotary Club of Chicago who was also an engraver. The wheel was said to illustrate ‘Civilisation, Movement and Service’ work in action. In 1922, it was decided that all Rotary clubs should adopt a single design as the exclusive emblem of Rotarians.
So In 1923 the present gear wheel with 24 clogs and six spokes was adopted by the ’Rotary International Association.’ In 1923 the keyway was added to the wheel to signify the wheel was a “worker and not an idler.” The keyway in the centre of the hub represents the individual Rotarian member, the key factor in every club. The gear teeth around the outside of the wheel represent the fact that work is to be done. The six spokes represent the inner direction and path of Rotary’s Vocational Service system.
The spokes represent an outward distribution path of Rotary’s ideals of service and the Four Way Test. At the 1929 Rotary International Convention, it was determined that blue and gold would be the official colours of the organisation, so the wheel was designed with these colours. The four blue bands within the outer radius of the gear represent our four “avenues” of service. The ‘avenues’ refer to the four elements of the Object of Rotary – Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service and International Service.
The design which we now know was formally adopted as the official Rotary International emblem. Today, the Rotary Wheel is recognised throughout the World as the symbol of Rotary. It is also referred to as ‘The Mark of Excellence.’
Conclusion:
When Paul Harris died on 27 January 1947, Rotary had grown from an informal meeting of four likeminded men to an organisation of 6,000 Clubs. Today there are 1.2 million Rotarians in 33,000 Clubs in 200 countries. So, as you can see, Rotary traditions have meaning and are important.
Because of our traditions we leave our political views and differences outside the meeting room and come together to do good in the World. In my view, sadly, it is not the traditions that are stopping this wonderful Service Organisation from growing.
Rather, reasons for non-growth include lack of time to volunteer; resistance of current members to new ideas, or reluctance to change; lack of information sharing and publicity; and a sense that the club is not diverse, equal and inclusive of all cultures, experience and identities.
I believe many people would love to help if they knew they were needed and welcome. If you are reading this article, and feel YOU want to make a difference and help us make the changes needed then contact our Membership Director, Greg Whymark, via email: [email protected] or mobile: 0418 158 701. You will be most welcome.
Showers and thunderstorms will start developing over the ranges this afternoon with some of these thunderstorms becoming severe.
The possibility of large hail, frequent lightning, heavy rain, and strong to damaging winds may form.
The situation:
A low-pressure trough extends down into southern Queensland combined with an upper-level trough. These two factors in combination with high humidity, moisture and heat are going to produce widespread rain and thunderstorms across much of SE Queensland.
These severe thunderstorms are more likely from just north of Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast.
Microbursts are likely, these intense, sudden downpours of extremely heavy rain cause destructive wind gusts that develop from the heavy rain, extending outwards.
Video of a microburst from YouTube.
Please be prepared for severe thunderstorms with accompanying severe weather. Storm development will be explosive and storms can become severe within minutes.
Keep an eye on the BOM radar or visit Higgins Storm Chasing or South Brisbane Storms for live updates and news.
Lightning is the product of particles in a cumulo-nimbus or other large cloud formations rubbing together to form giant sparks that can form within these clouds or from the cloud to the ground or even from the ground to the cloud if conditions are right.
Lightning can form in almost any conductive environment from thunder clouds to volcanic eruptions clouds and pyro-cumulus clouds that form from large bushfires.
They are similar to static electricity charges you get when the air is dry and you rub two pieces of conductive material together and you get a zap, only much larger.
How does lightning help plants grow?
Lightning contains many nutrients that it absorbs from the surrounding elements. The heat produced from lightning interacts with the nitrogen and oxygen surrounding the lightning charge. The result is nitrates are formed.
When this nitrate is dissolved in the rain within the cloud, it becomes a natural fertiliser. This is why you see a greener and better grass a few days after a thunderstorm.
So basically, thunderstorms are giant fertilisers and in combination with high rainfall can turn once barren landscapes into flourishing landscapes especially if thunderstorms occur more than once over a period of time.
Lightning is also commonly associated with the beginning of life and how it may have formed on earth.
“We exist in a bizarre combination of Stone Age emotions, medieval beliefs, and god-like technology.”
Edward O. Wilson
Our instinctive behaviours were adaptive during prehistoric times (they enhanced our ability to survive and reproduce), we see that some of our instinctive emotions (mental health) have become serious impediments and may threaten our very survival. The human instinct is to fit in by being connected to others.
In today’s world, we have evolved an obsession with what others think of us, a craving for social approval and admiration, and a paralysing fear of being disliked. If we look at today’s mental health issues, depression, social anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) these may be instinctual behaviours from our ancient ancestors, and how they dealt with survival in the world of their times.
Depression
In today’s world, depression can dictate withdrawal from day to day life and these experiencing this disorder are often totally consumed with the traits and behaviours that would result. In a highly structured, oppressed society, there are clear definitions between the leaders and those that serve them.
Stress and fear may have given people the need to separate themselves from the work they were doing in serving the needs of others. Often depression affects motivation, energy, and sleep and in a world filled with violence and uncertainty, our ancestors may have experienced times when there was little to look forward or work towards. This has evolved to the more dominating type of disorder today.
Social Anxiety
This disorder leaves many people fearful of being singled out in a social situation. This may have prevented our ancestors from challenging the leaders of their tribe. The traits of social anxiety would have benefited our ancestors in times when there was a formal hierarchy of social ranking.
Our world today tends to have a less structured social ranking, and the opportunity is there to move up the social rank. Survival instincts may cause challenges when we try to improve our standing, and our instincts may be encouraging us to keep our distance and not challenge those higher ranked, whether socially or in employment situations.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD behaviours possibly stem from a mother’s instinctual way of preparing for protecting their young. By maintaining safe and clean surroundings, they are keeping their children as safe as possible. In ancient times there was no knowledge of germs, or the ability to live in conditions we dictate today.
This disorder can be a hindrance to those with severe cases and has evolved to be far removed from the initial drive to provide a safe home for our young. Mental health disorders can take over a person’s life and make them prisoners to the disorder and its behaviours. Examining how these behaviours could have been vital under the living conditions of our ancestors, gives us a better idea of what drives and creates them, and may assist in improving treatment.
Instincts can be good and bad. A good instinct is self-protective, having a feeling someone might be a threat or a new friend may not be very trustworthy. A bad instinct could be an urge to cause harm to others, usually out of hurt or resentment. Human cultural contexts have changed but our brains and bodies have not. We still have the same fears and desires as our ancestors, but now those instincts are out of sync with life conditions. –
Wishing you all good mental wellbeing – Veronica
The evolution of our society is sometimes in conflict with the instinct of the individual.
Next year Australia will be celebrating the so-called “Discovery” of Australia by James Cook, 250 years ago in 1770. I will be writing much more, and giving some public presentations, about that early next year.
The arrival of Matthew Flinders on the sloop “Norfolk” in 1799 was perhaps the most significant date for Bribie Island when he was the first white man to land here. Perhaps the most significant social and economic event since then was the building of the Bribie Island Bridge.
When the bridge opened on October 19th, 1963 life on Bribie Island, and in Queensland, Australia, and the rest of the world, was very different from today. Depending on how old you are reading this article, you may need to be reminded of some other things that happened back in 1963. In 1963 Australia was largely an agricultural economy and primary produce accounted for 77% of Australia’s commodity exports.
Bridge opening aerial 1963
Also, in 1963 the Commonwealth Marriage Act came into force legitimising children born out of wedlock by the subsequent marriage of their parents. In 2019 we have different issues occupying our minds, including thoughts about an additional bridge, or a replacement bridge, and when and where it might happen. Quiet holiday destination In 1963 the resident population of Bribie Island was less than 600 people, with thousands more coming for weekends and holidays.
But Bribie Island was still a quiet and peaceful holiday destination. There had been much speculation about building a bridge to Bribie Island for over 30 years. In those days, even with a small population, two Councillors were representing Bribie on Caboolture Shire Council and the community worked hard creating what they needed with their own volunteer efforts.
In 1963 when the Bridge was built:
U.S. President John Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas
Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip visited Australia
Government announces Decimal currency to come in 1966
Charles Perkins “Freedom Ride” to end aboriginal segregation
The first National Television Network was formed.
Steamship excursions from Brisbane to Bribie had carried thousands of people for weekends and holidays since 1912, but this had stopped in 1953. A car ferry service had become popular since 1947 after the military built a road from Caboolture in WW2, and motor car ownership increased.
Bribie Bridge building 1962
Politicians talked about a bridge to Bribie during election campaigns in the late 1950s and had considered having it paid for by Developers, in exchange for land on the island. This did not eventuate, but in 1961 a Contract was awarded for a bridge to be constructed at a cost of 358,000 pounds. The Bridge was opened by Premier Frank Nicklin on 19th October 1963 and was the longest precast prestressed concrete bridge in Australia.
The complex construction had involved driving 206 piles, weighing 12 ton each, laying 38 spans of concrete beams to span the 832-metre length. Just weeks before the opening an expensive Toll was announced, to be paid by all vehicles coming to the island. The 10-shilling Toll was a significant cost and came as a complete surprise.
Residents and Visitors were very disappointed, and it impacted growth and development for some time. Better roads and increased car ownership had led to population growth on both the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, but this did not immediately eventuate on Bribie Island. In 1963 the 10 Shilling Bridge Toll would have paid the cost of Petrol to drive a car from Brisbane to the Gold Coast and back, and you could buy a pound of Beef for 2 shillings.
First cars cross bridge 1963
The Bribie Bridge toll was 10 times that on the Hornibrook Highway and was the most expensive road toll in Australia Land prices and rates on Bribie had risen significantly in anticipation of change, but the expensive Bridge Toll lasted 12 years and was finally removed in 1975 when the bridge had been paid for by the money collected. The much lower Hornibrook Highway toll was also lifted in 1975 having been in place for 40 years.
Bridge Opening celebrations.
Bribie residents were outraged at the expensive toll and threatened to boycott or disrupt the opening ceremony. The opening day was, however, a big success, with large crowds and processions of floats, horse-drawn carts, vintage cars, marching bands and hundreds of vehicles driving to the island for the first time. It was so busy that the bridge was declared “One- Way” on to Bribie in the morning, and then “One- Way” off in the afternoon.
This photo, taken on an opening day, shows the two lanes of vehicles coming onto the island. If you look carefully at the photo you will see many things that are different today.……. footpath handrail, overhead lights, sealed road …… how many more differences can you see? An Aerial photo of the mainland end of the Bridge, taken on an opening day, shows the huge number of buses, cars, and people that gathered for the event, with the Toll Gates in the divided road surrounded by people waiting to walk across for the first time.
Bridge Toll Gates 1963
The “Bribie Star” local newspaper of the day produced a special complimentary souvenir edition documenting some fascinating history of the island by many of the pioneer residents. There had been an expectation that Bribie residents would not have to pay the toll, and eventually, they did get a small concession. Books of tickets for multiple crossings could be purchased at a small discount and there was an exemption for Ambulance, Fire Brigade, Royal Mail and Government vehicles.
14,000 cars crossed the bridge in the first week it was open, paying 7000 pounds to the two toll collectors, who were each on an annual salary of 5000 pounds. Many of the new visitors were very disappointed with inadequate parking facilities and amenities on the island, and may never have returned. In the first two years of the new bridge, over 300,000 cars crossed over, but population growth was much lower than anticipated reaching just 2000 by 1975 when the toll was lifted.
50 years of Bridge Anniversaries
For the 10th Anniversary in 1973, the toll was still in force, but by the 20th Anniversary in 1983 the toll had been lifted and a major celebration was held in conjunction with the “Bribie Island Festival” organised by the Lions Club, who sold “Passports” to the island as a fundraiser. In 1988 a “Silver Jubilee Carnival” was held for 25 years, together with a special edition of the local newspaper, and a souvenir T-shirt was produced.
The 30-year anniversary in 1993 was held in conjunction with a “Bribie Aquatic Festival”. I had only just come to live on Bribie Island in 2004 and knew nothing at all about Bribie History, or the significance of the Bridge, but I organised a fundraising walk for Rotary in which several teams of 10 people each walk over the bridge and back 4 times. So, each sponsored team walked 40 kilometres and raised $4000 for Rotary causes.
As a result of organising this event, I met Stella Ray, a very long-term resident of the island, who sparked my interest in the unique history of this island community. In 2008 I founded the Bribie Island Historical Society, and in 2013 the Society placed a 50-year commemorative bronze plaque on a stone beside the bridge and invited people involved in the bridge construction to participate.
The Past …and Future
There has been much talk in recent years about the age and limitations of our 56-year-old bridge, and the need for a second or replacement bridge. There are some who say “Bring back a Bridge Toll” and others who say “Blow the bridge up” and return to the peaceful days of water access only.
Bridge and 50yr Plaque
In four years’ time in 2023, the Bridge will be 60 years old, and will still be very much in use, whatever decisions are made about the location and timing of a second bridge. As there is currently no shared community “Vision” for what Bribie should be like in the future, it will just go on drifting and developing to become like every other coastal town. It is a pity that the people of Bribie don’t demand more of their representatives, to make sure that it remains the unique place that has made it so different for so long.
MORE BRIBIE HISTORY
The Historical Society has monthly public meetings at the RSL Club on the second Wednesday of each month commencing at 6;30pm. with interesting guest speakers on a wide range of topics. At the next meeting on Wednesday 13th November, I will be giving a presentation titled “Who really discovered the Brisbane River”. 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]
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Red-necked stints are the smallest migratory shorebirds to visit our beaches. They are very common and descend onto our sandy beaches in flocks to mingle with other waders roosting and feeding. Kakadu Hide, the beach at Buckley’s Hole and the roost at Toorbul are places where you are likely to see them.
They start arriving in late August to early October and remain for the summer, so by now they should all be back from their breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere. Red-necked Stints are tiny birds just a little larger than Sparrows. They are 13-16 cm in length and weigh just 25-40 g.
Their non-breeding plumage is brown-grey on heads and backs and whitish underneath. Legs and bills are short and bodies are chunky. Male and females are similar in appearance. Their smallness distinguishes them from other shorebirds. When roosting, flocks frequently burst into flight and then come back to their roosting spot.
When feeding they dart about looking for food pecking at worms, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic plants and insects on wetlands and mudflats at low tide both day and night. They feed in flocks and must eat huge quantities of food before tackling their marathon flight to the north. During breeding in the tundra, they eat mostly insects. Habitats are quite diverse. As well as frequenting beaches and sand flats they can also be found in inland freshwater wetlands.
Red-necked Stints at Toorbul
The southern Summer is spent in Australia, SE Asia, and NZ and during late autumn they fly off to the Arctic north to breed. Before leaving our shores, many have already developed their breeding plumage. Feathers on the throat neck and breast become a reddish colour – hence the name Red-necked Stint.
Their journey takes them along the shores of the Yellow Sea where they stop to rest and eat to replenish their strength for the rest of the journey. They are known to fly 5000 km or more between stops. When reaching the Siberian Tundra or Western Alaska up to 15000 km from Aust they make their nests on damp moss and lichen. Nests are just a shallow indentation on the ground and lined with grass and leaves.
Usually, about 4 olive blotched eggs are laid. Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the young. Chicks leave the nest soon after hatching. Birds that have been unsuccessful breeders leave for the south in June. Breeding females migrate south almost immediately after the chicks have hatched leaving the males to finish raising the babies. Males are the next to leave and the juveniles leave when strong enough to tackle the long journey.
Compare Red-necked Stints with the larger Bar-tailed Godwits
It is amazing how they know how to find their way to their summer destination. Juveniles spend their first winter in Australia and are 2 years old before migrating to breed in the north. Red-necked stints are common and widespread in Australia. They are being threatened by development on the shores of the Yellow Sea where they stop to rest and in Australia where they feed and roost.
Plastics have become a problem to all shorebirds, harmful when eaten and deadly when caught up in fishing lines and plastic bags. Storms and cyclones occurring during their migration can be a big problem as if they are blown off course they often die of hunger and exhaustion.
A few interesting facts: Kalidrus is from the Ancient Greek and was a term used by Aristotle for small grey-brown waterbirds. Ruficollis is from the Latin Rufus “red” and collum meaning “neck”. A group of stints is known as a “spell”.
My Dearest Island fam, It’s been a while! I’m sorry for not writing to you in the last couple of issues. So much has been going on and there is a lot to tell you. So let’s begin… First of all, I’ve had a bit of a job change recently which has been super exciting and captivating. The hotel where I work has some magnificent gardens that I very much admire.
Often while I’m on my shift I’ll take moments to absorb the views and the singing flowers. Does the heart good. The gardens are kept beautiful, though, only through the love and care of Natacha our gardener. And boy does she put a dozen wheelbarrows full of love and care into her plants. It’s a lot of responsibility looking after living things that respond to even just the slightest changes in their routine, so when one afternoon Natacha asked if I would like the opportunity to take care of her plant babies while she goes away I was immediately both excited and scared.
Of course! “I would love that opportunity; it would be an honour!” I exclaimed in response. But my heart and thoughts were racing with doubt too. I knew I wanted to do it because I have a deep love for gardens, however taking on a job that big is a whole new level of green thumb. Nevertheless, I agreed to take on this responsibility and got the training. I really wanted to impress our gardener with my attention to the plants and show that I care. Which made me worry a lot about if I was doing a good job or not.
A fisherman’s tap at the end of Palm Cove jetty
A portion of William’s Esplanade: tropical plants everywhere
My sister and her new husband in the background. Obviously I’m having fun!
I even did homework at night revising certain elements to plant care. As well as learning this new skill and taking on this responsibility my family and I were also preparing for my sister’s wedding in Cairns which would happen just when my plant sitting finalised. So a lot of my emotions have been put into important things of late, hence not getting to talk to you all much. Which makes me sad.
I’m sorry! Anyway, all in all, I’m here to say it went better than well and the garden is looking happy. But I’m sure all the plants and flowers will be glad to have their Mumma back home! Only thing is, I’m not sure I want to go back to what I was doing before! Oops. I mean, I had a passion for nature before, but now I have a taste of doing it as a profession and I want more!
So there’s a certain path unfolding there… So now it is a cruisy Monday-on-Bribie night, and my parents and I just got back from Cairns: much wedding festivity has been had! We all stayed at a northern beach called Palm Cove. Yes, it is true. I traded Bribie for Palm Cove for a while and thoroughly enjoyed it. Please don’t think I’m a trader!! It feels weird to be in two different places in one day separated by a flight, but a privilege is all the same. It’s definitely a tropical paradise, Australia showing off or something I think. Different from Bribie in its atmosphere and mountains close by the sea.
The water is not as nice as ours and there is the potential for scaly and stingy things in the brackish water. But the palms and soft grass landing right upon the sandy shore is divine. Lots of places to eat and live music is everywhere. One thing I wish Bribie had is more live music flooding the streets, especially at night. But you know what they say, there’s no place like home. I hope that I have planted seeds from Bribie Island (spiritually speaking of course) on the Esplanade of Palm Cove and brought back something from the Cove to plant on Bribie so we can all share in the goodness of the two different places.
Cross-pollination of cultures I suppose you could call it. Travelling has made me fall in love with the land of Australia all over again and makes me hungry to see more of its rugged and varied beauty. We live in a sacred place and our people are as unique as the land. We must nurture each other like a gardener nurture’s her plants and share our territory with those willing to respect it. So much more to catch up on Islanders, I’ll do my best to make our writings not as far apart anymore!
All the best Nikita P.s Make some happy memories with your loved ones this coming weekend. I’ve realised how much memories are important; for they give life to, well, new life. Stay safe!
This last month has been quite busy with a lot of donations arriving, keeping our volunteers very busy indeed. We have been having many different sales, furniture and pictures 50% off, ladies clothing $6 a bag and many others. Our daily sales will continue, so please check the blackboard as you enter the shop.
Our new truck is working out well, being bigger we can deliver more/ pick up more in fewer trips so if you need any items picked up please call 3408 1014 for an appointment.
CHRISTMAS BREAK JUST A GENTLE REMINDER
As Christmas is fast approaching, I thought I would continue to advise our customers of our Christmas Break this year. We will remain open until 3pm Tuesday 24th December and will reopen again on Monday 6th January at 8.30 am. During this period our gates will be locked and we will not be accepting any donations over the 12-day period. Please remember that the footpath belongs to the council not Busy Fingers, so please do not leave anything on the footpath as this is regarded as dumping rubbish and the council can prosecute those who do it.
Our security cameras take in the footpath area, and we wouldn’t like to see any of our customers prosecuted. Our volunteers and staff work very hard throughout the year and we like to give them the opportunity to spend quality time with their families over the festive season. We thank you for your cooperation during this time.
Queen’s Birthday Holiday
Sadly, someone left furniture on the footpath during the public holiday, this was picked up by the council and they will be taking appropriate action. The furniture should have been taken to the rubbish tip as it was not in good condition; if we had been open we would not have accepted it advising the person to dispose of it themselves. Busy Fingers has to pay to use the rubbish tip, therefore we cannot accept anything that we cannot sell.
Nice Lunch
One of the Island groups we have supported is the Art Centre and I thought I would go down and see how they were going, while there my friend and I had a lovely lunch in their cafe. There was quite a group enjoying the quality food and ambience of the cafe at the back of the centre. The whiting and salad was quite yummy and my friend was impressed with her Wagyu beef burger, the coffees were great too. But I must admit I wish I had seen the scones before I ordered, as the lady sitting nearby appeared to be really enjoying them, they looked so light and fluffy, I will have to wait until my next visit to give them a try. So if you plan to have a morning out with friends go and try it out while supporting the Art Centre at the same time.
DONATIONS
As well as continuing to support the VMR with fuel and the Hospice with the Palliative Care Suite at the BI Retirement & Aged Care Village, we have been able to support quite a few associations on the island this month including: The Bribie Island Aged Care which required Medical Equipment for moving patients, some Bed Assist with Monitors and Standard Chair Pads, 4 Air Lift Arm Chairs and Various medical products.
St Peters Church Committee requested help in re-roofing the old church so it can be used for functions and raising funds for island associations they in turn support. The Scouts required new mattresses to allow visiting scout groups to sleep in the den. BI National Servicemen’s Association required a new refrigerator to store food and drinks for their monthly meeting luncheon.
BI Dragon’s Abreast asked for help in obtaining a fully Automatic Defibrillator to ensure the safety of their rowers. House of Happiness has asked for help in preparing a concrete patio area and also improving the BBQ area. BI Hospice/Boronia Cottage Respite has asked for new linen, BBQ and an outdoor setting allowing their guests to enjoy their lovely garden area.
The BI Croquet Club requires some new equipment to accommodate the new field. The BI High School has requested help in fencing for their new “The Grow @ Bribie project”; this is designed to reduce waste through recycling, improving and promoting environmental practices. Students will be building the designated area with gardens that include Waste/Composting/Veggie Garden and Worm Farms. We will also support the Bribie Island Kids Education Support (BIKES) through assistance with School Book Packs, Uniforms & Shoes, School Excursions and Camps.
Once again we wish to sincerely thank all our customers, the people who donate all the pre-loved items, and our wonderful hardworking volunteers and staff, without them we would not be able to support as many island community schools, associations and clubs.
If you require assistance – If you are a member of an island club or association and require assistance please let us know. We try to assist all not for profit associations and sporting clubs, we also assist the Police, SES, VMR, and the BI Hospice. Our President Karen is quite happy to come along to your club and present our aims and goals and how your club can apply for assistance.
Please call 3410 1920 or email [email protected] if you wish to have a presentation or if you wish to apply for a grant of assistance. When applying for assistance please include a contact name and phone number and also a current equipment quote, tell us a bit about your association/ club and membership and why you need the equipment you are requesting.
Please be aware we only deal with island associations and groups not individuals. As usual, I wish to thank Richard and The Islander family for all their support throughout the year. Hope to see you in the shop soon.
It is early on in the storm season and already we have seen some wild weather systems and hot windy gusty days. With so many people on the water over Christmas time, it can get pretty hard to get a fish. The best bet is to fish from late afternoon till early morning. During the day you can still get up the many passage creeks and find a quiet spot.
The muddies have also been getting bigger and fuller and the Decembers full moon tides should produce the goods. We walk or kayak our pots well up past where most people can get, some spots I kayak up then get out and walk the pots up the swamp. Offshore when the weather has been ok the pelagics have been going off with wahoo, Spanish mackerel, cobia, marlin, tuna, and dolphin fish all getting taken.
Juveniles are similar to females but are paler in colour. Most often they forage alone but sometimes operate in pairs. Usually, they are seen in open forests, at the edge of rainforests and often venture inland following the river courses. In Australia, they are found across the north, down the east coast to South Australia and into Tasmania.
How does lightning help plants grow?
