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In the Air with the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre and BEAUFORT A9-141

David Sweedman
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In the Air with the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre and BEAUFORT A9-141

Built in Australia by the Department of Aircraft Production under licence to the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Bristol Beaufort was arguably one of the most important aircraft employed in the defence of Australia during World War II and became known as the “Workhorse of the RAAF” in the South Pacific region. Sadly, there are none of these beautiful aircraft still flying anywhere in the world but, thanks to the dedicated effort of the volunteers at AAHC (Australian Aviation Heritage Centre), DAP Beaufort A9- 141 will one day take to the skies again.

Featured Image(above): The workhorse of the RAAF

The twin-engine Bristol Beaufort was designed to be used mainly in a reconnaissance role and as a torpedo bomber and was manned by a crew of four. As well as being capable of carrying torpedos and/ or bombs, the aircraft was equipped with two wing-mounted machine guns and a number of other machine guns in both the nose and turrets along the fuselage. A9-141 went into service with the RAAF in 1942 and was operated by bot 7 and 14 Squadrons as well as being used for flying training at 1 O.T.U. and 5 O.T.U.

A crash at Tocumwal in January of 1944 signalled the end of its service. A9-141 was bought by aviation enthusiast and AAHC founder Ralph Cusack in 1983 and brought back to Queensland where the restoration work commenced in 1984 at a building in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra. ’I decided to take on the project of restoring a Beaufort after I had read that there were none flying,’ said Ralph. ‘Also, someone said that I couldn’t do it and at first, we thought that it would not take much to get her flying. How wrong we were,’ he added.

The restoration work is progressing slowly

In 2007, the Beaufort was relocated to Caboolture and, after a time in what is now the TAVAS hangar and another short period away from the Caboolture, A9-141 was finally moved to its current home in Hangar 104 where restoration work is progressing. ‘Our biggest problem with the work on the Beaufort is funding and we are having to do it on a shoestring budget,’ Ralph told me. ‘At times we take on a bit of contract work such as restoring the Bofors gun for the Bribie RSL.

We have also received a few donations from some generous people and it all helps but restoration work is expensive and we have to be precise with everything that we do,’ he said. Ralph told me that, as well as A9-141, AAHC is also restoring other aircraft including a Westland Wessex helicopter along with a Caribou and he said that he has even had a DC2, a Percival Proctor and a Wirraway and others in the past. ‘Although I learned to fly, I enjoy fixing them more,’ he remarked.

At present, there are twenty-five volunteers who spend time working on the restoration of the Beaufort and whilst they are slowly achieving their goal, they are always keen to welcome new volunteers. Ralph pointed out that everyone has their own skill set and although some have no experience with aircraft, their help will not go astray. While on the subject of volunteers, Ralph said that Len Brock, who has helped with the restoration work at AAHC turns 100 soon and he was actually an inspector at the factory where the Beaufort was built.

When DAP Beaufort A9-141 finally takes to the air as the only flying Beaufort in the world, it will be a proud moment for all who have contributed to her restoration and considering Ralph’s statement that he intends to work until he drops, I can only imagine what his next major project will be. If anyone would like to find out more about either the AAHC, the restoration work of A9-141 or about becoming a volunteer, the number to call is 5495 4951 and the email address is [email protected]. AAHC is situated in Hangar 104 at 157 McNaught Road in Caboolture.

Other Articles

In the Air with KATHERINE SEITZ & Aviation Lovers Qld

Banksia Beach State School bands at Music Fest

David Sweedman
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Banksia Beach State School bands at Music Fest

IS IT SOMETHING IN THE AIR?

Whilst those who are a part of the Bribie Island community know, there are so many talented people that live in the area among them, there are many adults and children who are gifted musicians. In fact, following the recent successes of the Banksia Beach State School bands at Music Fest, some outsiders have been left wondering whether there is something special about the air at Bribie Island that stimulates such wonderful talent. School Performing Arts Manager Martin O’Callaghan told me that the contingent of students from Banksia Beach State School was the largest to attend the event which was held at Iona College.

‘The two hundred students that we took to Music Fest made up the Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced bands and each of those bands were recognised for their talents,’ said Martin. ‘The Beginners Band received a Gold Award whilst both the Intermediate and Advanced Bands took out the Platinum Awards,’ he added. The achievements of the school’s bands have been consistent for some time and an example of this is that only a short time prior to their victory at Music Fest, the Advanced Band were winners of the St. Columbans Music Spectacular for the sixth year in a row.

I guess that it really doesn’t matter whether it’s something in the air or just the result of total dedication by all those involved, knowing that these young people are a part of our community makes one proud to be a Bribie Islander.

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The Junior Cheer Squad – Bribie Island State School

GREEN THUMBS HELPING OTHERS

David Sweedman
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GREEN THUMBS HELPING OTHERS

The members of the Banksia Garden Club are dedicated to playing an active role within the local community and as such are often committing the funds that are made from plant sales to worthwhile causes whenever the opportunity presents itself. Over the last two months, the club has collected the takings from a craft stall and plant sales at their meetings and these funds will be donated to the drought relief appeal.

Featured Image(above): Joanne Allison-Chouw (R) of the Bribie Respite Centre
received a cheque for $500 from Banksia Garden Club
President Desley Horsfall

Another example of the club’s generosity was when, at the Garden Club’s November meeting, President Desley Horsfall handed over a cheque for $500 to Bribie Respite Centre Service Manager Joanne Allison-Chouw. The amount donated to the Respite Centre was the result of plant sales made when other garden clubs visited the local club. The Banksia Garden Club is a well-run organisation which has become popular with local green thumbs and club meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre complex.

Anyone who would like further information on the club’s activities is welcome to either come along to a meeting or call Desley Horsfall on 3408 8470.

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Bribie Island Community Arts Centre at Banksia Beach – 30 YEARS OF AWESOME

The Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group and the Thursday Painters Working Together Group

David Sweedman
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The Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group and the Thursday Painters Working Together Group

It is very seldom that I only use one word as the title of an article but, to be perfectly honest, I can not think of any other word to adequately describe the recent combined exhibition by both the Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group and the Thursday Painters Working Together Group.

Featured Image(above): Paul Bruce’s lifelike acrylic – Marty

On display in the Mathew Flinders Gallery earlier this month, the works of the two groups reflected a diverse cross-section of Australian animal and bird life as well as examples of the country’s landscapes.

The Watercolour Working Together Group meets at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre and the co-ordinator Gail Greening can be contacted on 3410 8794. The Thursday Painters Working Together Group meets, as the name suggests, on Thursdays at the Arts Centre and anyone who would like to find out more about that group should call Maureen Gough on 3408 2716 or Bev Power on 3408 7882.

The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre is on Sunderland Drive at Banksia Beach and is open each day except Monday from 10 am. They can be contacted by phone on 3408 9288.

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The Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group

Chopper to tackle mozzies

David Sweedman
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Chopper to tackle mozzies

Due to tidal activity Council will conduct an aerial mosquito treatment program tomorrow (Friday 30 November), weather permitting, targeting saltmarsh areas in Deception Bay, Burpengary East, Uhlmann Road, Beachmere, Ningi, Toorbul, Elimbah and Bribie Island.

The treatment targets mosquito larvae before they have the chance to emerge, and forms part of council’s ongoing program to treat mosquitoes in public places like parks, sports facilities and local reserves across the region.

As mosquitos can fly up to 10km from saltmarsh areas it is important to target them where they breed to stop their spread across the region.

Council is urging residents to also manage mosquito numbers in the region by taking a few simple steps in and around the home, where most mozzies breed.

Take five minutes to empty any containers that might have rainwater and change the water in your pet’s bowl, and make sure your swimming pool remains chlorinated.

People are also encouraged to apply mosquito repellent when heading outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

For more information about mosquito management visit: www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/health-safety/mosquitos

THE BRIBIE WINELANDER – Oct/Nov 2018

David Sweedman
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THE BRIBIE WINELANDER – Oct/Nov 2018

Rush down to your wine cellar and see if you have any French wines from The Bourgogne region or The Bordeaux region with an emphasis on the 1945 vintage, this could be your lotto win or even lotto wine. Sotheby’s auction house has just sold a bottle of Romanee- Conti 1945 vintage for an astonishing $558,000 or approx. $140,000 per glass, in 2007 a bottle of 1945 Mouton Rothschild sold at auction for a mere $310,000 which proves that in the right hands a fine bottle of wine makes for a very shrewd investment.

To think thirty years ago when I was working for Penfolds we sold Mouton Rothschild and so that we could talk to our customers about the wines tried the wines on a fairly regular basis, ah those were the days. The Rothschild Winery also produces a couple of more affordable wines which are available in many liquor outlets, that is The Mouton Cadet Rouge (red $16.00), The Mouton Cadet Select (red $33.00) The Mouton Cadet Sauvignon Blanc (white $11.00) and The Mouton Cadet rose ($10.00) these wines are all very approachable and if you are looking for something different with a unique story I would give them a go.

Back in 1935, a fellow by the name of Jimmy Watson opened the doors of J.C. Watson Wine Merchants in Carlton Melbourne which at that time was a risk as most men drank beer and women rarely drank at all in public. The most common drinks were ‘threepenny dark’ port and sweet sherry and Jim knew he had his work cut out to introduce table wine to the Australian drinkers. He persevered and the business grew and was successful. In the 1940’s he started to organise trips to vineyards to purchase wine and started to educate his customers and he selected hogsheads of his favourite wine styles, dry whites, young reds and great fortified wines to be taken back to his bar for sale.

He marked these hogsheads with a lion roaring over the barrel a feature still found on the labels of Jimmy Watson wines today. In 1960 Jimmy decided to redesign the existing wine bar layout to better incorporate the three shops on the current site, an important aspect of the renovation was that the building must have atmosphere. The renovations were completed by mid-1963 and were acclaimed a success by architects and regular customers who came to sit and admire the space and intimacy.

After his sudden death in 1962 a group of friends decided at his funeral to honour the name Jimmy Watson and they established the perpetual Jimmy Watson Trophy. The Jimmy Watson Trophy is now part of the Royal Melbourne Wine Show and at first was awarded to the producer of the best one-year-old red presented at the show, this has now been extended to the best one or two-year dry red wine, any winery winning this trophy is guaranteed to pretty well sell every bottle of the winning wine.

This year’s winner is The Turkey Flat Vineyard 2016 Barossa Grenache, past winners have included The Deepwoods Reserve 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, The SC Pannell Adelaide Hills 2013 Syrah (Shiraz), Bests Great Western Bin 1 2011 Shiraz and a couple of my favourites The Scarpantoni Brothers Block 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and The Shingleback ‘D’ Block Reserve McLaren Vale 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. If you want to treat someone special with a bottle of wine then The Shingleback ‘D’ Block Wines are always outstanding. If you are interested in the latest news in the world of wine there is a bi-monthly journal available at your local newsagent called “Winestate”.

The magazine reviews wines from all over the world and judges them using teams comprising of winemakers, wine judges and wine writers from all over Australia and New Zealand. The September/ October edition concentrated on “The Mainfreight” World’s greatest Syrah and Shiraz challenge” which comprised of over 420 wines submitted from around the globe and broken down into various price points.

What I like most of all about this tasting is that no winery submits the wines, Winestate actually go and buy the wines and the panel taste them ‘blind’ so if they receive five stars that’s how they come across, they also judge around 400 wines so it’s not a question of buying what’s perceived to be the best. The final top 10 Australian wines were: 1. Penfolds 2013 Grange 2. Gumpara Hexen 2014 Barossa Valley Shiraz 3. Z Wines Julius Single Vineyard Barossa 2016 Shiraz 4. Reilly’s RCV Epitaph Clare Valley 2014 Shiraz 5. Tenafeate Creek Wines Museum Release One Tree 2010 Shiraz 6.

Gumpara Victor’s Old Vine Barossa 2016 Shiraz 7. Patritti Merchant McLaren Vale 2016 Shiraz 8. 1847 Wines First Pick Barossa Valley 2016 Shiraz 9. Fox Creek Short Row McLaren Vale 2016 Shiraz 10. Domaine Asmara Reserve Heathcote 2016 Shiraz. Several of these wines are readily available at reasonable prices others will raise a few eyebrows. The 2016 vintage in South Australia is regarded by many as the best vintage in South Australia of the century so seek out Shiraz wines from The Barossa, McLaren Vale and The Clare valley before the next vintage arrives in the stores.

Abraham Lincoln “People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like” As drinking alcohol declines cast your minds back to the times when noblemen weren’t health conscious. The days are past when a noble lord could be congratulated on having consumed three bottles of port. When the nobleman in question was asked if it were true that he had drunk them all without assistance, he replied “ Not quite, I had help from a bottle of Madeira”!

Cheers, Philip Arlidge [email protected]

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Italian wines – The Bribie Winelander

Access Your Super – Hardship or Compassionate Grounds

David Sweedman
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Access Your Super – Hardship or Compassionate Grounds

Tags: Money advice. Financial. Councillor. Super. Retirement

Your super is your retirement nest egg that may make the difference between having to scrape by on government benefits or enjoying more financial freedom from a super pension so withdrawing money before retirement should be a last resort. If you do fall on hard times and are unable to meet reasonable and immediate family living expenses, you may be able to withdraw some of your super on either severe financial hardship or compassionate grounds.

Most withdrawals will be taxed so before withdrawing money check the ATO website to confirm how much tax you will lose from your payment. To withdraw under severe financial hardship you need to have been receiving eligible government income support payments, for example, unemployment benefits, for at least 26 weeks continuously and you need to satisfy the trustee of your super fund that you can’t meet immediate reasonable family expenses.

Not all super funds allow you to withdraw monies under severe financial hardship so the first step is to check with your fund. If your fund does allow withdrawals the minimum amount that can be withdrawn is $1,000 (unless your super balance is less than $1,000) and the maximum amount is $10,000. You can only make one withdrawal from your super fund because of severe financial hardship in any 12-month period.

If you’ve reached your preservation age (from age 55 to 60, depending on date of birth), you may be able to receive your entire superannuation benefit provided that you’ve been in receipt of government income support for at least 39 weeks and you were not gainfully employed on a full-time or part-time basis at the time of application. You may be allowed to withdraw some of your super on compassionate grounds.

Compassionate grounds include paying for medical treatment for you or a dependant, modifying your home or vehicle for the special needs of you or a dependant because of a severe disability, paying for expenses associated with a death, funeral or burial of a dependant or making a payment on a loan to prevent you from losing your house. If your property is under threat of a forced sale, is your principal place of residence and you are legally responsible for the mortgage repayments you may be able to withdraw up to three months repayments and 12 months interest on the outstanding balance of the loan.

You may also be eligible to apply if you have arrears on council rates and your council is threatening to take possession of or sell your property. Before drawing down your super to try to save your property it is advisable to think about whether you may be better off selling the property and preserving your super. I have assisted many clients who have depleted their super and still lost their properties. Remember that money in super is protected from creditors in the event that you finish up with a shortfall on the sale of your property. As always do your own research.

Check out the ATO and Moneysmart websites. Be aware of scammers offering to get you early access to your super. They will try to convince you to let them take control of your fund and you may lose the lot. Peter Dallimore is a volunteer Financial Counsellor at the Bribie Island Neighbourhood Centre. He can be contacted via email at [email protected] or you can make an appointment to see him by calling 3408 8440. The Financial Counselling service is free.

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MONEY TALK – KNOW YOUR SUPER – INSURANCE

BRIBIE ISLAND STATE SCHOOL EARLYACT PROGRAM RAISES $4,337 FOR OUR FARMERS

David Sweedman
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BRIBIE ISLAND STATE SCHOOL EARLYACT PROGRAM RAISES $4,337 FOR OUR FARMERS

EarlyAct is a school-wide service club for primary school students. It is sponsored by a local Rotary club in the township in which the school is located. The mission and operation of EarlyAct are closely linked to the ideals of Rotary. The Rotary Club of Bribie Island established the Earlyact Club at Bribie Island State School in 2013. The club currently has 28 members and the Board consists of Year 4 and 5 students.

Featured Image(above): EarlyAct Teachers and Students with Rotary members selling raffle tickets at the Rotary Markets in Brennan Park

Bribie Island State School and the Rotary Club of Bribie Island are so proud of their EarlyAct members who throughout Term 3 have raised $4,337 for Australia’s Drought-stricken farmers. Under the leadership of teachers Kim Hatfield and Rosi Riek and assisted by our Club’s Youth Director June Sturges and Chaplain Ken Piva the EarlyAct members organised four events.

Wear a “Flannie for a Farmer” was held on Friday 24 August and raised $753.60. The entire school participated in this event and wore a flannel shirt and gave a gold coin donation. $1,644 was raised at school venues such as the disco and tuck shop, the sale of muffins raised $571.50 and the raffle, with prizes generously donated by local businesses, raised $1,367. One of the Club’s ongoing projects is a vegetable garden which they cultivate and harvest and then sell the produce to parents and teachers.

Students who joined in the fun on “Wear a Flannie for a Farmer” Day

At a recent meeting, the “EarlyActers” built a scarecrow, dressed him in a flannel shirt and placed him in the vegetable garden in order to raise awareness of the “Wear a Flannie for a Farmer” Day. These students are an inspiration to us all and with their enthusiasm and commitment, they epitomise the aims of the EarlyAct program. They demonstrated that they are caring and helpful and were able to complete a project that will benefit the Australian farmers.

Through Rotary, 100% of this money will be delivered to the National Farmer’s Federation (NFF). NFF will then supply fodder and water for the livestock and help Farmers with everyday expenses and give them access to health and financial support services. EarlyAct is proud to have contributed to the Drought Appeal but couldn’t have raised so much without the support of our local community and businesses.

Bribie Rotary President John Oxenford, Youth Director June Sturges and EarlyAct Board members drawing the raffle at School Assembly

They would like to thank local businesses who so generously donated raffle prizes and supported the fundraising efforts. In particular BBQ Boats Bribie Island, Bribie Twin Cinemas, Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club, Savige’s Seafood, Allround Angler and Izzy Fizzys.

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Living with a disability – Afternoon tea – 3rd December

The Bribie Celtic Fiddlers – A PROMISE THAT LIVES ON

David Sweedman
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The Bribie Celtic Fiddlers – A PROMISE THAT LIVES ON

Remembrance Day in 2018 marks one hundred years since the end of conflict in World War 1 and following the customary observation of one minute’s silence at 11 am and other associated services to commemorate the day, those who come along to @ The Jetty Restaurant in the afternoon will be entertained by the talented musicians who make up The Bribie Celtic Fiddlers.

Featured Image(above): Celtic Fiddlers member John Boland playing a tune on his eight-string banjo

Fiddlers spokesperson John Boland explained to me that, due to the importance of the day, members have made the decision to use the occasion as a way to raise funds for Legacy. Representatives from Legacy will be collecting donations during the afternoon and @ The Jetty management is donating $3.50 from each meal toward the fundraising. ‘the planned meal is braised beef cheeks with vegetables followed by Anzac cookies in brandy sauce,’ said John.

‘The Celtic Fiddlers will be entertaining from 2 pm until 4 pm with a break at 2.50 pm for a pianist and vocalist to perform three Vera Lynn songs, the words of which will be printed on the placemats at each table. While they are performing, I will be moving around the tables with a mobile mike and whichever table does the best job of singing along will win a bottle of wine,’ he told me. John pointed out that, having been a Legacy ward after his father passed away as a result of wounds suffered during World War II, he realises the importance of what the organisation does and the ever-present need for additional funding.

‘Legacy was founded in 1923 because of a promise to “look after the missus and kids” that a digger made to his mate in the trenches of World War 1 and that more or less describes what they have been doing ever since,’ said John. ‘They support thousands of Queensland widows and children whose loved ones have lost their lives or health whilst serving in our country’s defence forces.

There are more than 150 war widows on Bribie Island and many more veterans,’ he added. The Celtic Fiddlers have been regular entertainers in the area for some time after being founded by Ross Lister and John mentioned that, whilst there are usually only about five or six that attend practice, at their gigs there can be up to fifteen who join them on stage. If anyone would like to enquire about booking this great band of talented musicians, they are welcome to give John Boland a call on 0422 770 252.

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MISS WATSON’S ADVENTURE TO BAMAGA

David Sweedman
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MISS WATSON’S ADVENTURE TO BAMAGA

The Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) of Queensland is vibrant with rich, red Aussie soil. The waters there are pure, shine an iridescent teal and are brimming with fish. Amongst the five Indigenous communities that make up the NPA is a Saibai Islander community of approximately 1700 people called Bamaga.

Featured Image(above): Lauren at the most Northern part of the continent!
Just the beginning of the adventure…

It is found on the Western side of the Cape York Peninsula. It is here in Bamaga, that one of our very own local community members Lauren Watson, spent four weeks adventuring, student teaching and learning about the people and land of this special place. Loving, loyal, compassionate and driven are just some of the ways you could describe Bribie local-ite and soon to be teacher Lauren Watson. Watson has lived in the Bribie region with her family since she was four years’ old and has been an active member of the community through school, work and volunteering as a surf live saver.

Lauren and the natural landforms of the NPA

In her downtime, she loves anything active and especially enjoys spending time at the beach with her dog Frankie and her sister, Kate’s, dog Archie – Kate also happens to be living in Bamaga as a teacher. It is easy to withdraw a sense of pride and determination about bringing education to those in remote areas when Lauren speaks. This determination has seen her travel to rural areas of Queensland that are in need of quality educators like Bamaga and she is currently completing her last practicum in Murgon before graduating. Lauren comments on education in general: “There is such a focus is on academics and achieving, great scores and/or representing your school in sports that we forget about the kids who are struggling just to get to school”.

Proud to be a part of Bamaga’s school community

“In Bamaga there is a massive social disadvantage for a lot of the kids… getting them to school is a massive achievement. It was confronting, sometimes I’d get to school and there’d be three students in the class because they don’t see the importance of education or don’t feel supported enough [to attend],” Lauren said. Lauren explained that though a student herself, as a teacher, it’s not always a reflection on your ability but more what the students are coping personally with. “There are a lot more challenges that they face and I have to be able to get past my own challenges [in order to teach].” Apart from the struggles of attendance and participation, there were a lot of positive experiences that Lauren had in her adventure up North.

Sunsets and fishing, Australian bliss

“There were a lot of beautiful moments with the kids. We did a three-day, two-night hike in the bush as a team leadership camp,” Lauren said. The first day was a six-and-a-half-hour hike which saw Lauren and the students enter camp well past dusk. They carried all they needed on their back and camped wherever saw fit. The next day they trekked into Punsand Bay which saw the lot waking up on the beach and catching the sunrise. Over 24km was hiked in general. Here she got to know the students a little better and was impressed by their heart’s pursuits.

“Quite a few students wanted to be engineers, work in the defensive force or represent in sports. Many were exceptional drawers,” Lauren said. “It was worthwhile just to find out what the kids love.” “I suppose the kids taught me a lot of things about myself too. Like family values, which I hold really important and they do too”. “The kids respond really well to their elders, family members and local teachers. A big part of their culture is really community-based so when there is a wedding or funeral the whole community shuts down. If you’re driving past you either have to stop altogether or go slow.” Lauren also was able to attend the 2018 NPA Cultural Festival which joined the five NPA communities together in traditional food, song and dance.

“Everything was right by the ocean so there was so much fresh seafood”, Lauren said. “The dancing was amazing. Both the males and females and the kids. Everyone was just so happy and there was this contagious energy. Some of the elders came and danced with the kids and it just felt really genuine. Everyone just stopped and respected each other,” Lauren explained.

Donning USC’s shirt and being consumed by puppies

All in all, there were some barriers and challenges Miss Watson had to face as she encountered a new community, but she overcame and has made beautiful memories with the students and teachers in Bamaga to show as a result. “I can’t even describe it, it was just a whole different experience,” Lauren said. Lauren is well on her way to graduation and therefore teaching in rural and remote areas and has been offered a job teaching in Bamaga. Well done and keep going, Lauren!

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ADVENTURES IN ENGLAND

Pet Care and advice Oct/Nov 2018

David Sweedman
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Pet Care and advice Oct/Nov 2018

Tags: Pet care and advice. Veterinarian

SENIOR DOGS

As your dog ages, there is a range of symptoms of ageing from changes in their body condition to heart and kidney diseases. Below is a list of changes and how to manage them and will be continued in further issues: Skin – calluses may appear on elbows especially of large dogs and loss of elasticity. Some changes can be a symptom of diseases such as hypothyroidism.

Hair – he may experience loss of hair or it becomes dull and grey. Keep up the grooming to stop hair from matting especially with long hair dogs. Bones and Joints – they may start to become lame and stiff which could indicate arthritis. If dogs are less active or have kidney problems this can weaken the bones. Other signs of ageing in bones and joints are degenerative changes in the spine, getting stiff on their back and having wobbly back legs. Muscle – older dog’s activity levels drop causing muscle wasting and loss of body condition. It is important to keep up the regular walks and swimming is an ideal exercise to help strengthen muscles. Dental – dogs’ eating habits may change as they get older and decrease their chewing which can create dental problems. Giving him softer raw bones such as from the chicken or lamb shanks will help or commercial chew bones are designed to help minimise the build-up of tartar.

Eyes – poor eyesight can occur due to cataracts or degeneration of the retina and cornea. Some conditions can be cured but others can’t and may lead to blindness. It is important to keep their environment safe and so they don’t hurt themselves walking around. Ears – deafness occurs due to degeneration of nerves, diseases or infections of the ear canals.

By Yvonne Bishop

FOR BETTER OR WORSE

Our domestic pets throw their lot in with us, for better or for worse. Their lives might be softer and longer for the protection we offer, but they also suffer parallel lifestyle health complaints to us for the artificial diet, exposure to chemicals, lack of exercise etc. that come with it. Many older dogs suffer from over-active adrenal glands and most older cats have an over-active thyroid gland. These conditions explain why many older dogs have recurrent gastro disturbances, while many older cats lose weight and are up at night pestering their butlers (…owners, that is) for extra food. By our sides, our pets also live long enough to develop dementia!

DR JACKIE

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Pet care and pet advice – 2

Funny Pet photos and images Oct/Nov 2018

David Sweedman
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Funny Pet photos and images Oct/Nov 2018

Tags: Funny pet pictures and photos.

Share with The Bribie Islander your funny pet photos!
It’s all ‘fun and games ’til someone has to wear a cone! Email photos to
thebribieislander@gmail.

Featured Image(above): This months winner!

ENTERTAINMENT – WHAT DO YOU GET?

David Sweedman
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ENTERTAINMENT – WHAT DO YOU GET?

QUESTION: If you join a few people who have an extensive musical background with others who have had a professional singing career or have been connected with stage and choir singing in the past then join them with a couple more who enjoy singing but have no previous experience, what do you end up with.

Featured Image(above): Voices in perfect harmony – The Silvertones

ANSWER: The beautiful harmonies such as produced by local entertainers, The Silvertones Entertainment Group. Founded in 2007 after six people who had been members of another choir decided to get together under another name, The Silvertones Entertainment Group are well known throughout the Bribie Island and Caboolture districts for both their professional style and their diverse repertoires. After performing at public venues as well for those in old age facilities for some years, the group now restricts their concerts to the latter. Silvertones spokesperson Lorna Frame told me that all of the members really enjoy what they do and love entertaining.

‘Our ages range from just over sixty to that of our oldest member who is eighty-eight,’ said Lorna. ‘Our objective is to bring pleasure to the community while keeping ourselves young,’ Lorna, who has the role of costume maker and music editor, explained. When I paid a visit to one of the Silvertones’ practice sessions in the Ningi Community Hall, I was fortunate enough to hear them working their way through the songs that will be performed at their Christmas concerts and the annual Remembrance Day concert for the residents of Seasons Retirement Village in Bellara.

This event is one of twelve that is on the 1918 calendar for the nine members of the group. s I listened to the Silvertones rehearsing, I can honestly say that from the adjoining room where I interviewed Lorna, the Christmas songs that I could hear sounded just like that of well known singers which are played in shopping centres in December.

I could have sat there and listened for hours. Lorna pointed out that when performing at concerts that mark a special occasion such as Remembrance Day or Anzac Day, the singers dress in a variety of appropriate military uniforms and, for other occasions, they wear costumes to suit the occasion. As a professional dressmaker, Lorna is kept busy ensuring that all these costumes are in keeping with the group’s excellent reputation. I should point out that Lorna’s husband Tom has the role of music coordinator and, as well as her other duties, Lorna also acts as Secretary/ Treasurer for the group.

The Silvertones Entertainment Group is keen to welcome new members to their fold and Lorna remarked that if anyone would like to enquire about joining them, they are welcome to give her a call on 3408 3199.

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Community Choir – The Sandstone Point Carols

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