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BEACH REPORT – April 2019

David Sweedman
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BEACH REPORT – April 2019

Tags: Bribie Island beach report. Bongaree. White Patch. Banksia Beach. Bellara. Woorim

The recent soaking rains have brought a new lease of life to the flora and fauna in our National Park and have firmed up the inland track considerably. The storm birds (shortbilled Curlew) and Ibis are out in force at Poverty Creek. The Westaway Creek catchment wetlands are now reinvigorated with approximately half a metre of water, the water lilies are now an absolute spectacle. Whatever you do don’t forget to bring your insect repellent as the mosquitoes are out and about.

We continue our session on the use of snatch straps, a piece of equipment that most 4WD enthusiasts already have. To start with let’s look at the recovery points on your vehicle. Don’t trust bullbars, towbars or recovery points without checking the mounting bolts these can be rusted making them lethal projectiles. If there is any uncertainty, attach around the chassis rail of the vehicle.

With respect to towbars, if you are sure the bolts are sound, these make a reasonable recovery point however don’t use the tongue or ball, these can fail. We recently did a recovery wrapping around the shank of a solid steel Toyota tow hitch, these are rated at eight tonnes and can be used, alternatively purchase a towbar recovery hitch. Remember, keep everyone well clear whilst effecting a recovery as the kinetic energy in that snatch strap is lethal.

Bribie Island beach report. Bongaree. White Patch. Banksia Beach. Bellara. Woorim

Fort Bribie fallen mine control hut fell two weeks ago

If you need to use more than one strap or as points to attach to the vehicles we recommend Dimenia rope shackles (pictured). These are not expensive but if something goes wrong it’s not a metal object flying through the air. We recommend the use of dampeners and if you don’t have one drop a wet towel or jacket over the snatch strap. Most people have 8 or 9-tonne snatch straps and we recommend 15-tonne snatch straps, discard straps immediately if damaged.

Pick the direction which you are going to effect the recovery. Look for the hard surface to end the recovery. Reverse your recovery vehicle to 1.5 metres away from the bogged vehicle and drive forward towards the hard area or at least 30 metres. Driving back and forward several times over this area to pack the sand down for better traction. Ensure that there are no passengers in either vehicle, ensure everyone is at a safe distance, lay the strap out, attach to your recovery points, if possible passenger side to passenger side, should anything go wrong the strap will recoil to the passenger side of the vehicle and not to the driver’s side.

Next, drive off as you were heading off down the highway (no wheel spin) the strap will stretch and kinetic energy will cause the bogged vehicle to pop up on top of the sand, keep driving to clear the soft section. Remember to check everyone’s tyres are at 18 to 20 PSI, if towing a trailer ensure it has the same track width as the tow vehicle. Holidays mean kids on the beach and campsites, remember 30km speed limits.

As winter approaches sand disappears from the beach making it like riding a rollercoaster, simply slow down there is no other answer. When parking on the beach at high tide consider other vehicles who want to pass, they don’t want to have to drive in the salt water. Fishing in the gutters will deliver whiting, dart 30cm, queenfish 50cm, mackerel 60cm. яндекс

This Week’s Reader Question

How did our lagoons get named?

Answer in next issues Bribie Beach report.

Bribie Island – Fishing report, tide times – April 2019

David Sweedman
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Bribie Island – Fishing report, tide times – April 2019

Tags: Fishing report Bribie Island. Tide Times. Moreton Bay. Caboolture. Beachmere. Sandstone Point

Well, the school holidays have begun let’s hope the weather, brings us some beautiful days, so we can get out amongst the fish in the Pumicestone passage and on the Surfside. We have seen a few Mud crabs about Ningi Creek, Donnybrook, Toorbul and in the Banksia Beach Canals, as well as Sand crabs at Bongaree with plenty being caught at Lime Pocket, so grab your pots and some Mullet Heads and you will be sure to get a good feed for Easter.

There has been a few Snapper about with some good size being caught at Cape Moreton, The Ripples, Sandstone Point and Bellara you will need some Pilchards to hook on and always remember let the bait float, don’t sink it, they like to remain on the surface when looking for a feed. One of our regular anglers tried the Ningi Creek yesterday snaring himself five Bream and a good size flathead and also a cod, he was using mullet fillets to catch the Bream, Cod, and Flathead.

You can also get a few Bream about at Banksia Beach, Gallaghers, Poverty Creek, Donnybrook, Turners Camp, Bellara, Bongaree, and Red Beach biting on the usual Prawns, Live Blood Worms, and Yabbies. We have seen some Flathead about Avon Wrecks, Turners Camp, Gallaghers, IGA Bongaree and Bellara with some biting on Mullet fillets and Squid. Whiting is still on the bite, Turners Camp, Red Beach, Bongaree and Bellara grab some Live Blood worms or Preserved Beach Worms to catch a few.

I have been talking to some anglers and the Surfside is proving a good place to catch some good size Whiting and Dart at 1st, 2nd, 3rd lagoon in front of the Campsites, you will need Pippies for the Dart and Preserved beach worms for the Whiting. If you head out to The Bird Cage or even on the surfside at 2nd Lagoon and 3rd Lagoon the Mackerel are on the bite, pick up some Pilchards for a good feed.

You will get a lot a squid near the Bribie bridge at night, great to use for live bait. We have also seen that some anglers have caught Dew off the Bribie Bridge with squid being the best bait. Before we take the kids out on the boat for the holidays please check all your safety gear and make sure all your flares are in date.

Tide Times

Click here to see Bribie Island Tide Times

FISH KILL AT BEACHMERE

The recent algae bloom in Beachmere Lake is believed to be the cause of yet another fish kill. This latest kill has seen the demise of over an estimated 30,000 fish of various species. OzFish Unlimited volunteers alongside local recreational fisho’s worked hard to save the last survivors. They include Mangrove Jack up to 70cm, Estuary Cod to 80cm, Milkfish to a metre, Tarpon to 60cm and Bream to 40cm as well as dozens of Mullet up to 3kg. Local OzFish Project Manager Ben Diggles said, “It’s so sad to see some many fish gone, however, it’s been fantastic to see local residents and fisho’s rallying together.”

The local council is working to identify and rectify the problem in the short term and re-establish water flow into the lake. Long-term OzFish Unlimited hope to be able to work with council engineers to develop a more permanent solution to repair and restore this vital and highly productive fish nursery in the Moreton Bay area.

THE MATRON

David Sweedman
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THE MATRON

Dear Editor, My name is Michelle Roberts, I am a 51-year-old lady who lives in the little seaside town of Bowen, in far north Queensland. In December of last year, I sadly had to go into the local hospital as I was dehydrated, it’s hard getting used to the climate, I had only moved from Melbourne in September and not prepared for the extreme heat. Whilst I was there I put pen to paper and wrote a story that I would like to share, it’s called The Matron, please enjoy….. It’s four am and it sounds like a steam train is coming past me, but no it’s the man in the bed next to me in this little coastal hospital. In many ways, it reminds me of the old eighties series “A Country Practice”.

Not much has changed here thirty years later, with the stout abrupt Matron, with her hair pulled back tightly into a bun at the base of her head. A very scary lady indeed. On my first morning, this very stout lady showers me, well she holds the shower rose ready to rinse me off after giving me a chux cloth to wash myself with, the water hits me with a sting as my body gets used to the heat and pressure of the water, but I daren’t say a word. Oh no, this is serious business, just like hosing down a car.

The water goes cold, yes it actually goes cold. The Matron gives me one towel to dry myself with, whilst she dries my legs with another, I try to make a joke, but oh no, no jokes to be had here this is serious business. Once I’m dried and put my bed clothes on all with the assistance of The Matron, I have a tube connected to my arm feeding me, and this makes it difficult to get dressed, but Matron in her no-nonsense ways deals with this very efficiently, of course.

Once dressed, teeth cleaned and hair brushed in a loose bun at the top of my head, which is fashionable these days, unlike The Matron’s tight bun at the base of her head. Righto time to get back into bed, after The Matron does a stellar job of putting nice starched white sheets on my bed, hospital corners to perfection plumps up the pillows all nice and ready for me to get back into. This is a trial as I still have the tube feeding me one drip at a time, I don’t think it’s working too well as I’m ravenous, and would kill for a coke, but oh no, no soft drinks here , nil by mouth young lady, and who am I to argue with The Matron? No no no no no no, I’m not brave enough to even speak.

I’m back in bed now and The Matron asked if I was comfortable, and I nod in agreeance as I lay on the rock hard mattress with the crisp cold white sheets and a hospital blanket, why do they use those blankets with holes in them they do not keep you warm, I’m sure thirty years ago when I had my first son they were using the same blankets back then. But I snuggle down and look at my mobile phone which looks so totally out of place here in this hospital room of a little seaside practice.

Oh dear the lights have gone out, and I am in complete darkness, I’m not liking this at all, why have the lights gone out? To save on electricity or Matron’s orders for the night staff! Back to the mobile phone, I touch it and it lights up my area of my four person room, oh good I can write again, the man in the bed in the other corner starts snoring whilst the man next to me is still chugging away, is this some competition or what? I suppose if I had of accepted that sleeping tablet last night when it was offered I too would be snoring away too. I love this little hospital with all the props and staff to take me back thirty years when I watched my favourite program on the telly.

This makes me good, warm and fuzzy inside. Matron and all of the other characters, thank you for making me better and giving me this wonderful experience back to when life seemed so much simpler. I put my mobile phone away in the drawer snuggle down and think all is as it should be, sleep time.

SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK AND ROLL

David Sweedman
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SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK AND ROLL

Something for everyone

Bribie Island University of the Third Age is a remarkable volunteer organisation that offers 150 different classes on a wide range of topics each week. There are over 1900 Senior students and the whole thing is run by Volunteers. They might be classified as “Senior” but most of them certainly don’t behave that way, as it is all about Learning for Fun, with new friends and new interests. Most of them may be retired, but their brains certainly have not.

Featured image(above): New Committee 2019 -2020

Lifelong Learning is recognised as a key factor in the third stage of life, so if you have not yet discovered the delights of U3A, you should consider it. There is something for every interest including Art, Craft, Language, Health, Dance, Music, Computer, Sport, History, Culture, Games, Literature, Theatre …..and many more. Enrolment for new members in Term 2 will be held at U3A Centre in First Avenue on Monday 15th April between 9 am and 11 am. Many classes are already full, but there are several ongoing and new classes on offer that may be of interest.

You can find the Timetable at the Bribie Library, Visitor Information, and Neighbourhood Centres. Bribie U3A is closed for holidays from April 5th until Tuesday, April 23rd after the Easter holidays.

New Committee members

At the Annual General Meeting last week President Greg Sibthorpe was elected for another localyear, as were several existing Committee members together with four new ones. President Greg reviewed the many achievements of the past year and recognised and thanked the great contribution made by all Volunteer Tutors, Receptionists and Committee members.

With so many different classes and venues being used, plus Theatre, Functions and Insight presentations, the specific role of the 14 Committee members continues to challenge. Margaret Spooner will continue as one of two Vice President and will be joined by Juri Linins who replaces the long-serving Ann Brooks. Maree Mosslar will be the new Secretary and replaces Joan Hammersley, while Ian Corin continues as Treasurer with Assistant Shona Shergold.

The demanding role of Program Coordination will continue under Chris Clark and Robyn Connolly, and they will be joined by Rose Barnes who replaces Amanda Bronn. Reception Coordination continues under Ailsa Gaffy, and Barrie Boodle remains as Facilities Coordinator. Angela Boodle steps down as Functions Coordinator and will be replaced by Judi Irvine, while Roger Platt will continue as Technology Coordinator. Barry Clark continues as Public Relations and Publicity.

Growing Network of U3A’s

Annual Membership remains at just $10 and the introduction of EFTPOS and prepayment for all classes has significantly improved aspects of administration and management. The new Bribie U3A website has been launched and further improvements in communication and member services are being planned. www.u3abribie.org.au.

Bribie Island U3A welcomes four new members to the hardworking Committee and looks forward to another great year of rewarding work and satisfaction. New volunteers for Reception duties, or Tutoring in any new subject of your choice, are always welcome. There are so many newcomers to Bribie who have had interesting careers and interests, so if you would like to share that experience with others please let us know. You don’t need previous experience as a teacher, few of our Tutors have, it’s just about sharing your knowledge and interest with others.

We have also set up a couple of special groups of volunteer member as “Roadies” to help with special functions and “Adminkids” who can help out with the general running of our organisation and paperwork. Please let us know if you would like to be one of these special volunteer members.

The network of U3A’s throughout Queensland continues to grow, with Caboolture continuing to expand and the new Beachmere campus progressing to independence soon. Bribie U3A will be represented at the annual U3A Network Queensland Conference to be held this year in Bundaberg in May, with delegates from the other 35 U3A’s.

COMMUNITY DAY AT DONNYBROOK HUGE SUCCESS

David Sweedman
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COMMUNITY DAY AT DONNYBROOK HUGE SUCCESS

The recent Community Day held at Donnybrook on Saturday 23 March has proven to be a great success for the three local communities of Donnybrook Meldale and Toorbul. The inaugural event was instigated by the Moreton Bay Regional Council and it brought together many community organisations from the three Coastal Villages.

Our local councillor, Brooke Savige was in attendance and thanked everyone for their participation. The Fire Brigade was very prominent – especially in their bright yellow uniforms – even on such a hot day. Their members had their trucks on display, they manned a free sausage sizzle provided by the MBRC – and they put on a diorama display of what happens in a real fire. It was a very informative display.

The MBRC Mobile Library was in attendance and many local people made use of the facility, especially as the trailer is airconditioned! Our own Radio Station FM101.5 was in attendance, and they did a great job all day, informing us of what was going on. The SES, Disaster Management, Neighbourhood Watch Groups from Donnybrook and Toorbul, Donnybrook Progress Association, Toorbul & District Community Association, Toorbul & Donnybrook Pensioners’ Club, NDIS information, and the Pumicestone Garden Club were all represented with tables of information and goods to sell.

There was an exceptional display by a young man, Lachlan of his Lego models – firetrucks, helicopters and such wonderful items which he designs. A highlight was a scarecrow competition with community members voting for their choice. Simone Wilson donated a prize for the most popular which was won by Betty, whose scarecrow was doing his job from a wheelchair! As a first time event for our communities, it was very well attended, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves

SCHOOL CAPTAINS UPHOLD TRADITION

David Sweedman
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SCHOOL CAPTAINS UPHOLD TRADITION

The class of 2019 Senior Investiture ceremony was held on the 15th February this year. Year 12 students took an oath that pledged they would uphold the values of the school in front of fellow students, staff, and parents. Mrs. Sonia Effting was chosen to be the guest speaker at the Investiture as she had been the first school captain at Bribie High in its inaugural year – 1989.

Featured image(above): Photo (L to R) Madi Dryden, Eliza Jones, Kieffer Titmus, and Alexis Thomas

The establishment of Bribie High came about because Sonia and a group of students had a dream that the Island should have its very own high school. “Lunch breaks became meetings of plan -do -review, resulting in knocking on every door, collecting thousands of signatures and sharing our vision with the community.

We quickly gained unwavering support from our local service groups, who then arranged meetings with representatives of state parliament. Within 2 short years we were discussing the design and colours of the uniform right down to the school motto of achieving our future,” Sonia said. “I can hardly describe the feeling of achievement the day we found out this school was going ahead, the pride to walk through the gates as a foundation student of Bribie island state high school created a legacy for future generations to enjoy.”

The school captains Alexis Thomas, Kieffer Titmus, Madi Dryden, and Eliza Jones chaired the Investiture and led the students in the taking of the oath.

BACK TO BACK WIN FOR BRIBIE BOWLS CLUB

David Sweedman
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BACK TO BACK WIN FOR BRIBIE BOWLS CLUB

The Bribie Island Bowls Club has won for the second year in a row the coveted award for “Best Bowls Club (large)” at the 2019 Clubs Queensland Awards for Excellence. The community club, whose motto is ‘where friends meet’ has continued to go from strength to strength. “In my 10 years as CEO of Clubs Queensland, one of my greatest joys is seeing how our community clubs continue to evolve, “said Doug Flockhart, CEO Clubs Queensland.

Featured Image(above): Presenting the Award for the Best Bowls Club Large is Curt Schatz from sponsor Mullins (l) to Bribie Island Bowls Club chairman Peter Patrikeos (r).

“Bribie Island Bowls club is a wonderful example of a community club that has kept its roots firmly entrenched in supporting bowls and at the same time evolved as a magnificent venue for the Bribie Island community.” “Winning this award is another major achievement for the club and they should be extremely proud, “said Mr. Flockhart. “Turning the tide on a declining membership is not an easy task and Bribie Island Bowls has managed to hold steady, and in fact grow its membership because they are continually searching for ways to find new members and offer new and innovative services.”

Bribie Island Bowls Club is the backbone of bowls in the district, running an operationally professional venue that provides the funding to support a very competitive bowls programme, right through to monthly barefoot bowls, and programmes such as the MBRC Older and Bolder programme and the MBRC Healthy and Active programme which are designed to keep seniors in the community active.

The club also believes it is important to help out the local community and charities however they can through cash donations, prizes, vouchers, or the free use of a room to hold a committee meeting. “The club takes a very holistic approach to nurturing their membership and the community. The awards judges were particularly impressed with the way the club engages with its community and has created an intergenerational meeting place for the community, in particular, the diverse range of bowls programmes for all ages,” said Mr. Flockhart.

“This type of relationship with members is what makes community clubs so valuable.” “To continue to provide for our communities, the club sector is always striving to be the best it can be, and these Awards are a way we recognise the incredibly hard work of our clubs and our dedicated club managers and volunteer boards and committees,” said Mr. Flockhart.

RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ELDER ABUSE

David Sweedman
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RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ELDER ABUSE

On Friday 5th April the Sunshine Coast Region of the Order of Australia Association hosted a Morning Tea at the beautiful Serenity Restaurant on Bribie Island. The sun was shining on Pumicetone Passage as the thirty-seven members and guests were greeted by the Region Convenor, Marjorie Voss OAM and her husband Royce Voss OAM. After a time of fellowship, relaxing on the verandah of the Restaurant, the members were invited to partake of a delicious morning tea.

Featured image(above): Guests (some from Gympie) listening to Sonia

There was much talking and laughter, as Order of Australia members and their guests renewed friendships and made new ones. Following the morning tea our guest speaker, Sonia Colvin the founder of “Hairdressers with Hearts” spoke of her vision for helping those suffering from Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse and how it has grown from its roots on Bribie Island. Sonia gave frightening statistics of the number of deaths and cases resulting from these. She also spoke of the wonderful work which is now being carried out to assist the people finding themselves in this situation.

In all, it was a very enlightening and at the same time heartening address. Sonia was thanked by Paula Penfold AM for her presentation and was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Sunshine Coast Region of the Order of Australia Assn. by the State Chairman of the Association, Prof. John Harden AM. Members from as far away as Gympie and areas in between attended the Morning Tea.

Not only were they keen to hear the Guest Speaker, but also wanted to spend the day on our beautiful Bribie Island. They were not disappointed and were full of praise for the venue and the scenery and for the morning as a whole. The Order of Australia Association comprises those people who have been recognized by receiving an award in the Order of Australia.

The Sunshine Coast Region stretches from Mango Hill to Gympie and comprises approximately 130 members. Functions are held in various areas in the Region.

Artist – THE IRREPRESSIBLE HELEN MACDONALD

David Sweedman
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Artist – THE IRREPRESSIBLE HELEN MACDONALD

Tags: Artwork. Artist. Bribie Island

Nineteen is a significant number for Helen Macdonald. She moved to Bribie 19 years ago. And 19 years ago Helen became a member of the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre where this April she is Artist of the Month. Her good friend and fellow member, Lola Watts, introduced Helen to art shortly after her arrival on the island.

Featured image(above): Pelicans

Helen’s first Working Together Group with Lola was the Thursday Painters, a group which continues to this day in Studio Two. In her 19 years of membership, the irrepressible Helen Macdonald has been Artist of the Month four times, previously exhibiting with Leslie Swallow, Stephanie Domegala, and the Inspiration through Art Jewellery Group which she was running at the time. In addition to being Artist of the Month, Helen has been in a Matthew Flinders Gallery exhibition for every one for those 19 years.

Artwork. Artist. Bribie Island

Helen’s Studio 2 mural

In fact, sometimes she was in two exhibitions per year, the most recent Little and Large with Stephanie White. This accomplished artist enjoys “the challenge,” she says, “of being hung on the wall!” It is rather appropriate therefore that while her work hangs on the Artist of the Month wall, her art hangs concurrently in the Matthew Flinders Gallery Kaleidoscope Exhibition, which she also organized.

Despite a couple of major personal setbacks, making her amazing abilities all the more impressive, Helen managed to curate Kaleidoscope in the last year. Half the exhibited work is by whom she calls ‘My special people’— friends and artists—chosen by her, and the other half are coloured pencil artists also known to her, and no less special. She would have liked an all coloured pencil exhibition, but there simply aren’t enough of them. Which brings us to the reason Helen mounted the Kaleidoscope Exhibition.

Colourful parrots

Ask her which art form is her favourite and she will tell you, “Whatever I’m doing at the time – coloured pencils at the moment!” Who would have guessed? The Kaleidoscope artists, so proclaim their Arts Centre flyer, ‘Are pleased to present a plethora of goods handmade with love,’ which includes sewing, wax coloured pencil works, cards, acrylics and watercolours, sculptures, glass art, collages, pottery, and jewelry.

Artwork. Artist. Bribie Island

Helen’s budgies

Helen Macdonald has another more permanent claim to artistic fame: the brilliant and animated tropical mural covering the three walls in the courtyard behind Studio Two. It was a shared work also organized by her. It is obvious Helen loves to paint Bribie scenes and use many media. Her colourful paintings attest to this.

Gloss Magazine Bribie Islander 9th Edition April 26 2019 Issue 86

The Editor Cherrie Wilson
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Gloss Magazine Bribie Islander 9th Edition April 26 2019 Issue 86

The Bribie Islander Magazine
Get all your community news and information Bribie’s 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.

You can now download the Bribie Islander by clicking on the arrow at the top left of the viewer below or by clicking here.

NOUGAT THE FEARLESS

David Sweedman
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NOUGAT THE FEARLESS

CELEBRATION RATHER THAN CELEBRITY

When I was a child my hero was a film star, Stewart Granger. My husband John’s heroine was the beautiful Debra Paget. Now, March 28th, 2019 we share the identical hero, our fur-baby NOUGAT. Actually, this extraordinary fan-tailed Chihuahua is no baby, as it’s his 10th Birthday today. But I still call him puppy and always will and to us, he is a celebrity, the bravest of all.

Featured image(above): Those penetrating eyes

Until I met my husband, John, on 8/8/88, (you can rightly presume that 8 is my lucky number) my great passion had always been breeding and nurturing large dogs, my favourites: German Shepherds (6 over 6 decades) Afghan Hounds (2 in 12 years as a London celebrity profiler) Doberman bitch (my boyfriend’s, who worked in Queensland, while I looked after his son and dog for six months, plus my 3 pharmacies) Alaskan Malamute (belonging to one of my patients, who had to abandon her, while I was running the Cairns Methadone Centre as pharmacist for Queensland Health and the Cairns Base Hospital for 10 years.)

With forgiving Tashie

One day in 2009 on our Lake Tinaroo acreage property, I ran out of fish food for my 600L mini-Barrier Reef aquarium and drove to the Atherton pet shop, instead of driving all the way to my Cairns wholesaler. They had no fish food. And that’s when I fell in love again! It was definitely love at first sight! A six-week-old, fan-tailed Chihuahua was playing through the bars of his floor-set cage, with two toddlers not much bigger than himself, sitting on the shop floor next to him. John was waiting on the footpath, had not seen the little dog, but said, “Why don’t you get him,” when he saw how smitten I was.

So out I carried him out in my arms and immediately named him NOUGAT because of his penetrating chocolate nougat eyes. What a joy our life has been since that moment! Nougat is an Academy Award standard comedian! He has John and me in stitches all day long with his never-ending antics. The three of us were inseparable from that moment on. John would not accept any invitations or go anywhere, not even to a cinema or restaurant, if we could not take Nougat with us.

Meeting Great Dane

We were The Three Musketeers. We even had a 1st Birthday party for Nougie, where one of our Methadone Centre couples brought their short-haired Chihuahua to our home to celebrate with us. Nougat is not afraid of anyone or anything, as we took him to the back of the Methadone Centre each day socializing him from day one. We made sure that our fur-child was not going to grow up a snappy, barking and growling little dog, as so many tiny ones are. That’s why I had always disliked little dogs.

But Nougat, not even afraid of thunder and lightning, which often terrified our German Shepherds, had to pay dearly for his lack of fear when he first arrived at our home on the Atherton Tablelands. He decided to eat Tashie’s, the Malamute’s dinner, instead of his own and within seconds had lost one of his fangs. Another one grew eventually, but it has always been less than half the size of the original. Tashie forgave Nougat’s meal-steal attempt and became a great friend.

And when Nougat met a Great Dane for the very first time, he jumped right up to his head. Luckily it was the beginning of another friendship, as tiny Nougie would not even have been a meal – just a casual snack! For 5 years Nougat was a healthy, chirpy and loving entertainer until he developed an ear infection in 2014. I thought it was strange when a vet prescribed a six-week course of antibiotics. Six weeks? It made me doubt. Nougat did not improve.

Over several vet appointments during the next few weeks, even after Nougat collapsed on the floor, could not walk, stand or even raise his head, the vet assured me it was an ear infection and said to give it time. I was very unhappy and suspicious. When returning to the surgery that Sunday, the owner himself was there and a very clever vet at that. He took one look at Nougat and said, “This is no ear infection. I’ll send you to the QUEENSLAND VETERINARY SPECIALISTS IN BRISBANE.

It’s a hard life

I’ll fax them the referral and information.” “Wonderful,” I answered with great relief, “I’ll take him tomorrow morning.” “No,” he replied sternly. “You’ll take him right now.” It was just a few days after John had left for England on a six week family holiday. He had not seen his children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, sister, friends, and ex-wife for five years. So I rushed my fur-baby to the QVS HOSPITAL and within 24 hours was informed that Nougat had the worst case of meningitis, encephalitis, and body function failures. Three expert vets at the hospital were very unsure about being able to save Nougat’s life. But I begged them to try.

They could not promise anything, as the condition is usually fatal within a few days or weeks, and Nougat’s symptoms were showing that his central nervous system was already affected…

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE BRIBIE ISLANDER ISSUE 85, APRIL 12TH.

 

Laugh Riot April 2019

David Sweedman
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Laugh Riot April 2019

Tags: Funny jokes. Humour

THREE WISHES “A little old lady was sitting in her rocking chair on the verandah of her small cabin in the woods when, suddenly, there was a puff of smoke and a fairy appeared. “I’m your fairy godmother,” she said, “and I’ve come to grant you 3 wishes”.

“What rubbish,” said the little old lady “I don’t believe in such things”. “Try me,” said the fairy waving her wand. “Ok,” said the little old lady “Turn this little cabin into a 40 room mansion”. The fairy waved her wand and in a puff of smoke, there appeared a magnificent mansion complete with swimming pools, tennis courts and even a helicopter pad. “You beauty”! exclaimed the little old lady.

“Now, turn me into a voluptuous young maiden”. The fairy waved her wand again and suddenly the little old lady was transformed into a stunningly beautiful young woman. “Oh yes,” said the little old lady who now was a simply gorgeous young woman “for my last wish I want you to turn my faithful old tomcat into a handsome young man”.

Another wave of the fairy wand, a puff of smoke and there he is – an absolute Adonis! He strides up to the little old lady who is now the voluptuous young maiden, takes her in his arms and whispers in her ear “Now aren’t you sorry you sent me to the Vet”!

Carol Gillam

Mad Poets Society April 2019

David Sweedman
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Mad Poets Society April 2019

Tags: Poetry. Poems. Poets. Rhymes.

BURLESQUE DANCING

It starts off with the music that has a strong beat

Your sitting on your chair and it rolls into your feet

The rhythm creeps up your legs and makes your hips gyrate

It flows into your core and there is no escape

Your shoulders relax and your chest opens wide

The arms give gesture emotions collide

The internal message that the music sends

Blows your mind and makes your body bend

In a provocative way that transcends your space

Your mind your body dance and gyrate

This is a dance that is sacred not kind

It allows you to express and show your behind

Opens your mind and allows you to play

With that inner female from bygone days

Burlesque girls danced naked wore jewels and feathers

Were admired and adored in the Clubs and Centres

Where seedy men smoked and drank

Naked women danced and spanked

Supported the male ego with promiscuous moves

Took their money they were not fools

Teased their brains to forget their wives

These women lived very hard lives

Gave birth to children that no one wanted

But the dance fed everyone by the women who flaunted

Bending and moving to the beat of the song

Tantalising teasing there is no wrong

Capturing the male psychic from head to toe

Making him helpless and not letting go

They told their story through song and dance

That was their liberation and a chance

To be just a women sexual and sweet

Exotic and erotic that could dance to the beat

Little did they know it was a woman’s tool

To enjoy the music and be emotionally fooled

The customers thought they were important

The Burlesque dancer merely just taunted

Shimmy and shake open their legs wide

That bit of womanhood it belongs to time

The doors are open the money is on the floor

They grab and snatch there is no encore

The expression and inhibitions this dance creates

Stop and look at her face

Her movements are captivating sexy and slow

It is the woman’s primal passion and not just a show

By Sharmayne Kurtz 19/7/2018

HOT SUMMER DAY

It is December again and the heat is intense

No sign of rain and the trees are spent

The underground water is drying up

Dark clouds roll in but blow away on the bluff

The Moreton Bay water is exquisite and blue

Aqua and turquoise as well as emerald hues

The dolphins are sighted way out to sea

Swimming around a kayak how lucky I wish it were me

The cotton trees are shimmering from the mid day heat

When all of a sudden the butterflies are released

I stand back and view this wonderful display

Falling yellow confetti the butterfly way

They fly down the street to the flowering trees

Geisha girl plants that it is where they like to be

Dance and flutter full of hunger and life

Not much time in butterfly hype

The eastern tail butterfly is yellow and black

Eating and laying eggs keeps life on track

She has only 2 weeks and her life shuts down

The male is spent after he has fertilized his harem crown

So beautiful and delicate the colour is intense

Life is short but sweet no time to vent

If we were butterflies how rich life would be

No anger or resentment just a butterfly tree

By Sharmayne Kurtz 28/11/2018

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