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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAMERA

David Sweedman
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAMERA

Tags: Photography Club Group Bribie Island

Our first monthly meeting for the year was a “Getting to know your Camera” workshop with members of the public invited to attend. There were videos on several topics such as Composition and Exposure. Ron Le Huray explained the workings of Aperture and Depth of Field. John Cupper gave a short talk on Photographing in Raw and how to process these large files.

We then formed into groups according to camera types with experienced members assisting with technique and answering questions that arose. Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice supper and a general chat mostly about photography. We were very pleased to welcome and hopefully help several visitors. 2019 is shaping up to be an exciting year for our club with many varied activities proposed.

Photography Club Group Bribie IslandPhotography Club Group Bribie IslandPhotography Club Group Bribie Island Interesting location shoots are planned for each month with an extended outing to Tin Can Bay proposed for later on in the year. A portrait workshop with John Lomas is in the pipeline and the PSQ Convention is to be held at Wynnum this year.  The Bribie Island Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of each month 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 3408 9850 or just turn up on the night. www.sites.google.com/site/bribiephotographyclub e: [email protected]

Other Articles

LOOKING FOR NEW FRIENDS?

MESSY CHURCH?

David Sweedman
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MESSY CHURCH?

Tags: Bribie Island Churches. Groups. Clubs. Uniting Church

According to Margaret Grove, it isn’t always messy, but it is always fun! “Messy Church is an active way of exploring the fundamentals of the faith. It is Church for all ages from the very young to the very old. It is a relaxed way of sharing time together as we explore the mysteries of faith,” says Margaret.

The Uniting Church in Webster Street, Bongaree, on Bribie Island hosts Messy Church on the second Sunday of the month from February to November inclusive and Margaret says that everyone is invited and welcomed. “Messy Church commences at 4.00p.m. sharp, with games that highlight a particular theme for the day. Everyone can have a part, even if it is cheering the younger ones on as they play out an exuberant game. Next, it is time to explore the theme further with quieter and sometimes messier activities that add more understanding to the day’s themes.

There are activities for all ages and it is so refreshing to see all ages of folk working together on these,” she said. “By 5.00p.m. we are ready to share what we have learned in a “Celebration” and at 5.30p.m. we sit down to a delicious meal together. Messy Church concludes around 6.00p.m. It is an early night for a family and that is why many families including grandparents, parents, and children all enjoy the evening.

For those who don’t have their family close, please feel that you are family and come along to share the joy.” The next Messy Church is Sunday, 10th March. For further information, please telephone Margaret on 5497 5777.

IN HARMONY WITH OTHERS FOR THE WORLD

David Sweedman
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IN HARMONY WITH OTHERS FOR THE WORLD

Tags: Bribie Island Children’s choir club, group

Parents who have been looking for extra, no-cost activities that their children can enjoy may want to consider the Ecumenical Children’s Choir. According to Margaret Grove, the choir which has been operating since 2011 has included more than eighty children from all faiths and cultures from Bribie to Caboolture. “The general age range for our singers is from four to early teens (and we have had children both older or younger than that),” she said. “There is no cost associated with the choir.

Uniforms have been donated and music is provided. Parents are welcome to stay with their children during the choir practices if they so desire (and sing along if they want to as well). Over the years, the children who have been available have sung at retirement villages on Bribie three times a year during the children’s school holidays and in other locations as the opportunities arise.

This year, we are striving to achieve a special project where the children will use their singing for the benefit of others in the wider community,” said Margaret. She said choir practices are held at the Uniting Church in Webster Street, Bongaree from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm every Monday of the school year. “The children are able to work towards gaining badges for special skills learned throughout the year.

If any of your children love to sing, they are really welcome to join the choir. Singing is a beautiful gift and the more we use the gift, the better it becomes. There is no audition necessary, just enthusiasm!” For further information, please telephone Margaret Grove on 5497 5777.

Other Articles

Community Choir – The Sandstone Point Carols

LOOKING FOR NEW FRIENDS?

David Sweedman
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LOOKING FOR NEW FRIENDS?

Tags: Bribie Island Local Clubs and groups. International Women’s Day

Oblivious to the chatter around him, newborn baby Mason was cuddled by VIEW President Faye Clark at the Coffee Club last week. Mason is the great-grandson of VIEW member Veronica Waterfield and the coffee morning was the first social event for the year. ‘We’re a friendship club’ Faye said, ‘perfect if you’ve moved to Bribie and looking to make new friends. We have a lunch meeting and a social event each month and with some easy fundraising we support The Smith Family.’

Featured Image(above): Jennifer Keeley (Secretary), Julie Bacon (Publicity)

One of Australia’s oldest and biggest women’s clubs View was founded by The Smith Family in the 1950s to give women a Voice (a petition to Parliament), Interest and Education of Women through guest speakers. Bribie club is celebrating its 23rd birthday this year and supports 5 disadvantaged students with Smith Family scholarships. ‘We get wonderful letters from our students thanking us for enabling extra curricula lessons like music or swimming, a musical instrument or computer, stationery, school excursion or even new school shoes’ said Faye.

‘All those extras so many families are struggling to provide. The Learning For Life programs also help their reading and a mentor can guide them on the path to a career.’ Programmer Stella Auchter was passing out invitations to an International Women’s Day breakfast on Friday 8th March at the Serenity Restaurant, Waterways Motel.

Guest speaker is local Judy Frost, a former Special Ed teacher who has just published her second book on her unique teaching method for readers. All women are very welcome. Starting time is 8.30 for 9 am. Phone Stella on 0419 796 476 if you’d like to come. General inquiries phone Faye Clark on 3410 7444.

CATCHING THE BRIBIE BUG

Helly’s Celebrities of the 20th Century

David Sweedman
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Helly’s Celebrities of the 20th Century

Tags: Celebrities. Famous people. Actors. Timothy Dalton. James Bond. 007

THE SENSITIVE OO7

Even before I meet 42-year old TIMOTHY DALTON, ALIAS JAMES BOND 007, in 1988, I know I have a battle on my hands to interview the Wales-born English actor for Hello Magazine, as he is some force to be reckoned with.

Featured Image(above): In ‘Hawks’

It’s an image as far removed as could be from the sensitive 007 he portrays in the 1987 ‘THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS’ and his forthcoming 1989 Bond film ‘LICENCE To KILL.’ The atmosphere on the film set of his latest movie, the black comedy ‘HAWKS’, where the director allows me just three minute increments of interview time in between takes, is electric and makes it almost impossible to establish a rapport or have continuity.

The poignant comedy of ‘Hawks’ tells the story of two terminally ill hospital patients, who decide to steal an ambulance, to have one last fling in Amsterdam, living life to the fullest with a sexy weekend of “five floors of paradise.” Dalton’s maroon velour dressing gown resembles a Persian carpet – a ludicrous mismatch to the striped pyjamas, sloppy slippers and black woollen cap, hooked tightly over his ears, as he ambles across the shiny floor at London’s Charing Cross Hospital.

Celebrities. Famous people. Actors. Timothy Dalton. James Bond. 007

With life long friend Vanessa Redgrave

After waiting for six hours in the crowded hospital corridor, this revelation sounds like the start and end of my interview, as Dalton rushes off for yet another take on scene 327. It’s a long, tiring day, standing, watching, praying hour after hour that Dalton would finally come to talk. He strides over to me, his long, lean 6’2” frame, with its strong classical features, exuding both an air of menace and a mantle of privacy you can’t unravel. “Why?” he demands, reiterating from a previous three minute discussion, “Why should Bond have changed my lifestyle? I was living like I liked to live before.

Celebrities. Famous people. Actors. Timothy Dalton. James Bond. 007

In the black comedy ‘Hawks’

I was happy as I was. I just want to earn money to be able to do the things in my life I want to do. “But it has never been a goal of mine to have flashy women, cars, clothes and the rest. I like my tatty jeans and t-shirts. I love my old Toyota. So why should it change me? But it has given me more choice. I can now reject films I don’t want to do and get others like ‘Hawks’ started because of Bond. I can now do more of the badly paid theatre work I love. Bond has increased my commercial viability.

I can choose films like ‘Hawks,’ one of the best scripts ever written, where I can stay at home instead of working abroad. Bond has certainly given me freedom.” He lets out the most raucous of roars, a natural laugh that comes from so deep inside his belly, that it confirms him to be refreshingly free of personal vanity. Although Dalton was initially criticized for the lack of lighthearted playboy humour in The ‘Living Daylights,’ his sophisticated Bond, where he performs most stunts himself, grosses $191.2 million, considerably more than the previous last two Roger Moore Bonds.

Dalton achieves a much darker, more serious and gritty realism, closer to Ian Fleming’s original Bond – the prototype for 21st century’s Daniel Craig’s Bond. Over the decades, Dalton’s greatest love – the theatre – has seen him star in innumerable productions for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Old Vic, the National Youth Theatre etc, enrolling in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, aged 18. His memorable movie debut as the weak King of France in 1968’s ‘THE LION IN WINTER’ and co-starring with Katharine Hepburn, Peter O’Toole and Anthony Hopkins, was followed by films like ‘MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS,’ 1971, and right into the 21st century, with ‘THE TOURIST’ 2010 and ‘DOCTOR WHO’ 2010. But getting back to ‘Hawks’ in 1988.

Celebrities. Famous people. Actors. Timothy Dalton. James Bond. 007

As James Bond in With life long friend Vanessa Redgrave ‘The Living Daylights’

Dalton has warmed up to me now and the words flow easily. He enjoys talking at last. But surprisingly my mentioning his 17-year relationship with Vanessa Redgrave does not erupt into the expected volcano. Dalton is actually trying to please, but genuinely finds the mention of his personal life so hard to take, that his voice becomes hoarse and finally breaks as he concludes. “I’ve known Vanessa since we worked together on ‘MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS.’ But that does not make any difference when we’re acting together. I admire her resolve and courage. She has a tremendous depth of care.

But you must not make any presumptions about the nature of any specific relationship. We work well together. How we are in the street afterwards has nothing to do with it. “I never have and never will speak about my private life. So whatever you have heard is fabrication. I am a very private person and yet have nothing to hide. But I have learnt a long, long time ago, particularly in this business, that if you start talking about your private life, you lose it. If you make it public, it’s gone. It’s as simple as that.”

Gloss Magazine Bribie Islander 5th Edition March 01 2019 Issue 82

The Editor Cherrie Wilson
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Gloss Magazine Bribie Islander 5th Edition March 01 2019 Issue 82

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

Australian Wildlife – RESTLESS FLYCATCHER -MYIAGRA INQUIETA

David Sweedman
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Australian Wildlife – RESTLESS FLYCATCHER -MYIAGRA INQUIETA

Tags: Australian Birds. Wildlife.

I remember the first time I saw a Restless Flycatcher. It was at Ewan Maddock Dam and the bird was high up in a tree in open woodland. I watched in amazement at its fidgety performance, with a wagging tail and nervous movements while perched on a branch. Restless Flycatchers have been sighted on Bribie Island but not very often. They prefer open forests and are more likely to be seen in winter.

Featured Image(above): Not to be confused with the Willy Wagtail

I have since spotted them singly or in pairs in several other locations in Australia. The most recent sighting was at Theodore. They are not found in large numbers anywhere but are spread over a considerable area. Restless Flycatchers are smallish, black and white passerine birds with a faint buff smudge on their breasts and small crests on the top of their heads.

They are 16-21 cm in length and are similar to and sometimes mistaken for Willy Wagtails that are often found in the same locations. Male and female are very much alike. Their call is a rasping, grinding sound which is why they are sometimes called “Scissors Grinders”. Insects are the main item on the diet which are caught on the wing. They will also hover in an almost vertical position and collect their prey from foliage and branches.

Australian Birds. Wildlife.

Restless Flycatcher

The grinder sound is maybe to frighten sedentary insects and spiders into moving to a more exposed position thus becoming easier to gather. Restless Flycatchers seldom feed on the ground. Nests are bowl-shaped and built in the forks of trees near water and are not unlike the Willy Wagtail’s nests. They are made of grass and bark and are woven together with cobwebs and lined with fur or other soft materials. Nests are often built in the same place each year. Clutches are made up of 3-4 white eggs with brown speckles. Both parents build the nests and incubate the eggs. Incubation takes about 2 weeks.

Australian Birds. Wildlife.In 13-16 days, the young fledge and fly off a short time later. There can be up to three broods produced in one season. The Restless Flycatcher was first recorded by John Latham in 1801. Their scientific name is of Latin origin – “inquieta” is from the Latin “inquietus” which means restless. Conservation status is secure now, but the population is decreasing.

Australian Wildlife – LONGICORN – LONGHORN BEETLES

David Sweedman
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Australian Wildlife – LONGICORN – LONGHORN BEETLES

Tags: Australian Native Wildlife. Beetles

Longicorn or Longhorn Beetles are a large family of wood-boring beetles with about 1250 species in Australia and 26 000 worldwide. They are easy to identify as they have particularly long antennae which are mostly longer than their body length. Their long bodies range from varying lengths and can be up to 80 mm long. Antennae are partly surrounded by their compound, mostly kidney-shaped eyes.

Larvae are fat, cream grubs between 20-40mm long with a rusty coloured head and prominent mandibles designed to chew into wood. Witchetty grubs are the larvae of several species of Longicorn Beetles and are high in protein, very nutritious and I believe have a pleasant nutty taste. Longicorn Beetles lay their eggs mostly under bark of their particular host tree which is either dead or dying.

Australian Native Wildlife. Beetles

Chloroporus curtisi

Larvae are mostly wood borers and feed on the wood of these trees. During their long development the larvae grow to a large size and can demolish the whole inside of a tree trunk. Larvae keep chewing for their whole lives and stop only when it is time to pupate. The frass or excrement is used to seal up the chamber and when the adult is ready to emerge it bores through the bark leaving a hole about 6 mm in width. Most of their life is spent in the larvae and pupa stages with adults only living for around 30 days.

Australian Native Wildlife. Beetles

Eucalyptus Longhorned Borer

Life cycles can take up to 2-4 years but in tropical areas the life span is much shorter. Many of the Longicorn species feed on wood while others eat pollen, sap or leaves. Pollen eaters are important in the pollination of their preferred flowering trees while others play an important part in the decomposition of dead wood. I have managed to photograph three Longicorn species on Bribie Island. Common Eucalypt Longicorn Phoracantha semipunctata – Adults are energetic fliers.

One flew through my window, presumably from the Gum Trees across the road. This species is considered a major pest in Eucalypt Plantations as the larvae feed on the eucalyptus wood. They have a life cycle of 2-3 years. Tiger Longicorns Aridaeus thoracicus are wasp mimicking beetles about 20mm in length. They resemble wasps and act like wasps to fool predators likely to attack.

Australian Native Wildlife. Beetles

Tiger Longicorn Beetle

Their preferred food is pollen on some flowering native plants particularly belonging to the Myrtle family. Host trees are Eucalyptus, Laurel, Leptospermum and Mangroves. Chloroporus curtisi are attractive black and yellow Longicorns with the adults feeding on pollen from several native trees commonly found in heathlands, woodlands and dry forests. They are also wasp mimicking beetles.

Acacia trees are the host trees for the larvae. Not much is known about this species and I have not been able to find a common name. In China Longicorn Beetles are often called “Sky Cow” beetles as their faces are similar to a cow when looked at from the front.

NEW BOOK – HANDY HISTORY OF BRIBIE ISLAND

David Sweedman
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NEW BOOK – HANDY HISTORY OF BRIBIE ISLAND

When I retired to Bribie Island from Sydney in 2003 I soon became fascinated with the rich history of this small place. This is the “The Cradle Site of Queensland” but there was virtually no visible evidence or recognition of this significant fact. No general information or signage, no Museum, few books about Bribie history and little information at the Visitor Centre. I am pleased to say that things have improved in the last few years with a few bronze plaques and signs along the waterfront at Bongaree, free Heritage walks and brochures available, books written by local authors, a very active Historical Society, and regular History Page articles in this magazine.

I have been conducting weekly classes in Bribie History at U3A for over 10 years now, and with my colleagues have made more than 100 presentations to various local Clubs, Groups and Organisations about many general and specific aspects of Local History. Not everyone is interested in History …..local or otherwise. However, when people start to hear or read about the remarkable people and events that have shaped both the past and present history of this small island they can get very interested. A question we are often asked, especially by newcomers to the Island is “Is there a good book that gives a good summary of Bribie history”.

Until now that has not been easy to answer. The late Warwick Outram wrote 29 books about Bribie Island history and most of these are available for reference at the Bribie Library, along with many other publications. That’s a lot or reading, and hard to absorb it all if you can’t take it home. However, the Bribie Island Historical Society has now compiled and published a great new pocket-sized, well-illustrated book titled “Bribie Island- A Handy History” which is essential reading for Bribie residents and visitors. The Book provides an overview of the major events, people and stages in Bribie’s commercial and social development over the last 250 years…

It answers a lot of the general questions that people want to know about Bribie’s past. The book will be launched at the Bribie Island Library on Tuesday 26th February at 10:30 am. You need to register your name at the Library if you would like to attend the book launch. The book will sell for just $10 and will be available at the Museum and other locations around Bribie, and through the Historical Society.

The Historical Society has monthly public meetings at the RSL Club on the second Wednesday of each month commencing at 6:30 pm with inspiring guest speakers and presentations on a range of topics. The Historical Society continues to research and document the rich history of this Island and you can view many interesting stories on our Blog Site at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com or contact us on [email protected]

Funny pet Pics photos and images Feb 2018

David Sweedman
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Funny pet Pics photos and images Feb 2018

SHARE YOUR FUNNY PET PICS WITH THE MINI BRIBIE ISLANDER…
SEND TO: [email protected]

BRIBIE SIMPLY HEALTHY Feb 2019

David Sweedman
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BRIBIE SIMPLY HEALTHY Feb 2019

Tags: Health and wellbeing. Healthy. Lifestyle. Nutrition

Miracle food supplements HemoHIM.

Miracle food supplements HemoHIM. HemoHim might be the answer to people suffering from high blood pressure and high cholesterol, weight problem, fatigue, arthritis, diabetes, inflammation, asthma, and allergies. It helps with rheumatoid arthritis. HemoHIM will increase your energy level.

It’s great for dry eyes and great for women who are going through menopause. HemoHIM is great for hand and feet tingling sensation. HemoHIM is one of the best-selling health supplements in South Korea. HemoHIM brings up the immune system and is able to fight many kinds of sickness include blood-related diseases. This product was originally designed to activate cancer-fighting T-Cells to save their own scientists community. HemoHIM is patented in the USA as a herbal composition for improving anticancer activity and protecting the body from oxidative damage.

In a series of clinical studies conducted on Cancer patients, HemoHIM has shown to improve the recovery of white blood cells. HemoHIM strengthens the immune system, helps the body form fresh blood and haemoglobin. The health benefits of this product are endless. HemoHIM will stimulate the development of red blood cells and activate immune cells, as well as promoting recovery of the immune system against oxidative stresses. HemoHIM is herb mixture, designed to protect the gastro intestine and to improve recovery of the immune system against radiation damage.

The main ingredients of HemoHIM are; Angelica (Danggui), Cnidium Officinale (Chuan Xiong) and Paeonia. Angelica (Danggui), is a herb used in Chinese medicine to enrich the blood, promote blood circulation and modulate the immune system. It is also used to treat chronic constipation of the elderly and debilitated as well as menstrual disorders. Research has demonstrated that Angelica and its active ingredients, as antiatherosclerotic (the major form of cardiovascular disease), anti-hypertensive (high blood pressure), antioxidant anti-inflammatory agents, which would limit platelet (blood particle involved in clotting) aggregation, are effective in reducing the size of cerebral infarction and improving neurological deficit scores.

Cnidium Officinale (Chuan Xiong) is used to treat infertility. This promotes sexual health in men and women. It increases sexual performance and sex drive. It is used to cure skin rashes and breakouts. It reduces the effects of diabetes and treats weak bones (Osteoporosis). It’s good for asthma, cold and lower back pain. It improves kidney energy. The third main ingredient is Peonia.

Peonia is used for gout, osteoarthritis, fever, respiratory tract illnesses, and cough. Peony is also good for menstrual cramps, polycystic ovary syndrome, premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It is also used for viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, upset stomach, muscle cramps, and atherosclerosis. Peony is also used for spasms, whooping cough, epilepsy, nerve pain, migraine headache and chronic fatigue syndrome. Peony might block chemicals produced by the body that can cause muscle cramps.

It may also prevent blood clotting and act as an antioxidant. When people are desperate and they are at their wits ends looking for something to help them I often recommend HemoHIM. It seems like HemoHIM does wonders. The recommended dosage is two satchels per day. For optimum results you can take up to 3 or 4 satchels a day, to begin with then reduce over time to once a day or once every second day. If you want to reduce the dependency of harmful medications try HemoHIM.

I am sure you will be very satisfied with the product. One of the customers refers to this as a jungle juice, taste is somewhat strange, though you can add to juice or could make a warm tea and add a bit of honey with it. For me, the taste isn’t that bad but everyone is different

 

The Bribie Winelander – Feb 2019

David Sweedman
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The Bribie Winelander – Feb 2019

Each month we showcase wines other than Sauvignon Blanc and I suppose there would be some out there in Wineland that suspect I don’t like this wine style and nothing could be further from the truth. I enjoy a nice Sauvignon Blanc whether from New Zealand or even Australia, and it may come as a surprise but we make a good version of the wine style. The reason for me suggesting an alternative is simply that there are wines out there that are as good if not better when enjoying a glass of wine with a meal, however if drinking a white wine on a hot summers day without food Sauvignon Blanc is a terrific choice but to be fair the wines don’t age well and are drink straight away styles. As a food match, it pairs well with oysters natural, delicate white fish and goats cheese depending on which style you prefer.

The other problem I have with Sauvignon Blanc is whilst there is a choice ranging from $7 up to $50 or more there is a range that is priced between $10 to $30 and quite frankly the difference in flavour in many cases doesn’t justify the price difference and that’s where I find Sauvignon Blanc almost boring it is a pretty one dimensional drop. Liquorland promote Wahoo at $7 and it is very good value but I tend to think it is more of a classic dry white style, they also sell a wine called Storey Bay which is a Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River which is also great value for money.

Every couple of months Liquorland promote a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc called Rapaura Springs and on special this is either $9 or $10 which is around half price, this is a terrific wine for this price. They also sell a premium version which occasionally comes down to around $14 but unless you have a winemakers or wine judges palate the cheaper version is pretty good. Over at Woolworths, they have mountains of Sauvignon Blanc’s exclusive to their group of Dan Murphy’s and BWS, in fact, they list 408 of them so there are plenty to choose from.

Remember that Woolworths own two vineyards one in South Australia the other in New Zealand and employ their own winemakers so a lot of their cheaper range will be made by themselves, if you are not too sure look for Pinnacle Drinks on the back label and that is exclusive to them, with Coles look for James Busby but they buy all their wines from producers. Under $10 Woolworths do a swag of wines, Amiri, Silver Moki, Seven Degrees, Rata, Tangoroa, and Koa Cove, which quite frankly are all like Wahoo from Liquorland, but lately they have promoted Boatshed Bay at $10 and $11 which is good value.

They also have a members only price at the moment with Withers Hills at $11 which is half price and a good buy. As I mentioned there are some very good Australian Sauvignon Blanc’s which whilst they do not have the same in your face aroma which distinguishes the New Zealand style they are outstanding dry white wines (I had a lady rep. once who was one of the first women reps in the liquor industry.

When asked what wine she wanted it was always a “dray wait wane”!) Anyway The Adelaide Hills produce some fine examples including Wicks Estate which is outstanding and others to look for are Bridgewater Mill and Nepenthe and another country making very good Sauvignon Blanc is Chile so why not try something different for a change. Sauvignon Blanc originates from France and is an indigenous grape to the South West of the country and whilst it makes dry white wines in almost every country around the globe it is also a famous component of the famous dessert wines from Sauternes and Barsac.

Apart from France the grape variety is now widely cultivated in Chile, South Africa, Canada, The United States, other regions of Europe as well as Australia and New Zealand and in some regions especially California it is labelled as “Fume Blanc” a marketing term coined by the famous winemaker Robert Mondavi in reference to Pouilly-Franc, though many had thought as the wine had been stored in oak barrels for a while it tended to have a slightly smoky aroma, though almost all the Sauvignon Blanc’s produced in Australia and New Zealand are fermented in stainless steel tanks some winemakers are playing around with oak barrels to come up with an alternative style.

Recently one of the world’s top wine critics, James Suckling, published the best 100 budget-friendly wines under $30, which was compiled from a list of 22,000 wines. Australia had 10 wines in this list and they are

  • S.C. Pannell Grenache Shiraz McLaren Vale 2016 (covered in the last edition of the Islander)
  • Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay Yarra Valley 2017
  • Shaw and Smith Shiraz Adelaide Hills 2015
  • Head Wines Shiraz (“The Blond”)
  • Barossa Valley 2016
  • Yalumba Grenache (Vine Vale)
  • Barossa Valley 2016
  • Pewsey Vale Riesling Eden Valley 2017 (an old favourite of mine and another from Yalumba)
  • Leeuwin Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Art Series)
  • Margaret River 2017
  • Vasse Felix Chardonnay (Filius)
  • Margaret River 2016 Best’s Shiraz (No.1)
  • Great Western 2016 (always a great wine especially The Bin 0)
  • Giant Steps Chardonnay Yarra Valley 2017

You will note Chardonnay 3 Sauvignon Blanc 1 what more can I say! A judge with a good palate me thinks and something different for you to try. Cheers, Philip Arlidge [email protected]

“In wine there’s truth” (Isn’t that the truth) Pliny the Elder, Natural History “High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water, but everybody likes water” Mark Twain

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

David Sweedman
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When I first moved to Cotterill Ave on Bribie six years ago I thought of all the things I would miss coming from the country. One of the main things was the wildlife we had gained the trust of on our 200 acre Land for Wildlife property. Can you imagine my absolute joy and surprise to look out my front window and see a mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos grazing the Nature strip in front of my new home?

Featured Image(above): Checking for a Joey

It was such a treat to see them venture out of an evening to graze the roadside. If the skies were overcast they appear in the middle of the day and we soon learnt that if we spoke to them when we ventured out to walk our dogs the roos would stand up have a look at us then pop their heads back down and continue to eat. People driving by stop to look and take photos of them and you can tell by their faces how thrilled and happy the sight of these roos has made them. How spoilt are we to have such magnificent creatures living peacefully beside us.

Before long I found we also had a family of Swamp Wallabies in the neighbourhood, much smaller creatures than their imposing cousins and much more special to see as they are fairly shy animals. They too would graze the sides of the roads but would hop back into the National Park bushland if they saw anyone about. There are Bandicoots that scuttle through the bush and so many birds from the colourful Rainbow Lorikeets and their chatter throughout the day to the eerie sound of the Bush Thicknee (Stone Curlew) through the night. All these wonderful creatures inhabit the bushland and our front yards.

They come and go as they please and my neighbour’s and I love to see and hear them. A few months after I had moved in I was woken by a bang and the sound of a car speeding down the road the dogs were barking telling me there was something amiss. I investigated the bang and found a Kangaroo dead in the middle of the road. Can you imagine my sadness at this event? I was sad over the death of such a magnificent creature. I was sad over the fact that the person who hit it didn’t bother to check it was dead and remove it from the road. I was Angry because this person was speeding!

As good Australians, we all know that roos have the endearing habit of appearing in front of your car. If you are driving slowly enough sometimes you can miss them or they can miss hitting you. Over the last six years, I have seen more and more traffic using Cotterill Ave more speeding cars and more dead or dying Kangaroos, Wallabies, Bandicoots and birds all left for us to move off the road, clean up the mess organize the removal of the dead or more heartbreaking the euthanizing of the injured.

As the development of Bribie Lakes, Gemlife and Solana have progressed the traffic has increased. The amount of cars speeding has gone from the occasional car to 90 per cent of the traffic and the death rate is rising. I have tried to wave down cars to get them to slow down the drivers either wave back at me or do not even see me standing on the side of the road as they pass by doing 80KPH or more.

Despite the signage, no one seems to realize that Cotterill Ave is 50KPH and if you are smart at night you will do 40KPH with high beam on. The facts are our mob of kangaroos along Cotterill Ave has gone from over a dozen down to three. There are two less Swamp Wallabies this week alone and these losses are not sustainable. In six years I have seen only one person stop to remove the animal they hit. The dozens of other animals have been left for us locals to deal with.

Believe me, it is not pleasant to find a large Kangaroo left in front of your driveway to bleed to death. That is one big sad mess. The law requires you to remove animals you hit from the road and to report injured ones. It is also a kind act to us the locals if you ring the council to have the dead body removed. People need to stop leaving it up to my neighbours and me to clean up their poor behaviour. We are sick of it.

Last three Kangaroos

What hurts is the fact that people that live in our neighbourhood do not care that they inflict this ordeal on someone else. If you cannot cope knock on our door for assistance we would help you deal with it. At the moment we have a very low opinion of what sort of people you are. It is time for people to show some consideration and have some self-respect. Grow up become an adult and take responsibility for your actions.

Bribie is a wonderful place to live made all the more special because of our wildlife. So please slow down and start enjoying all life on this wonderful island. Can you imagine not have the treat of seeing the kangaroos on Bribie? I for one cannot.

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