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LOCAL STUDENTS SELECTED TO ATTEND NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE FORUM (NYSF)

David Sweedman
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LOCAL STUDENTS SELECTED TO ATTEND NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE FORUM (NYSF)

Science is not just a “boy” thing! Many girls excel in this area. The Rotary Club of Bribie Island has two candidates attending the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) next year – both are female. Alexis Thomas from Bribie Island State High School and Lara Thompson from Caboolture High School. Both were interviewed by an autonomous District Panel and were selected to attend the forum in January 2019. Lara and Alexis have excelled as many candidates, nominated by surrounding Rotary Clubs, were not successful.

Featured Image(above): Alexis Thomas, Lara Thompson and Charlotte Scott

Rotary is a partner of The National Youth Science Forum – a not for profit organisation. NYSF hold 12-day residential programs designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and to encourage continued studies in these fields. The $3,150 cost for the program is shared 50/50 by the Rotary Club of Bribie Island and the student’s family.

Each year only 600 students from around Australia are selected to attend NYSF. Participants take part in sessions on entrepreneurship, critical thinking, how to work together effectively, and more. The focus is not solely on academic achievements, but on developing well-rounded individuals who have the skills and confidence to determine their futures. Last year, the Rotary Club of Bribie Island sent Charlotte Scott from St Columbans College to NYSF in Canberra.

Charlotte was so outstanding she was chosen to represent Australia at the International Youth Science Forum which was held in London from 25 July to 8 August 2018. Recently, these three exceptional young women attended our Club meeting and told our members about their dreams and ambitions. Charlotte gave an informative presentation on her London Forum. Each student thanked our Club for the opportunity provided to them. Bribie Rotary is proud to support these three young women and wish them every success in their future careers.

As our President said, with all the doom and gloom in the news, it was just so refreshing to hear these student talk about a positive future. Applications for NYSF 2020, will open next February and close at the end of May 2019. If you are interested in attending the Forum please contact me on 0409 244 005. C’mon boys! For more information on NYSF see: https://www.nysf.edu.au/

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Living with a disability – Afternoon tea – 3rd December

ON THE WATER – WITH LIZ RADAJEWSKI

David Sweedman
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ON THE WATER – WITH LIZ RADAJEWSKI

Tags: Boating. Moreton Bay. Bribie Island. Brisbane. VMR

Originally from the land-locked country of Rhodesia, newly elected VMR Bribie Island Commodore Liz Radajewski admits that her only experience with water-based activities prior to when she and husband Henryk moved to Australia was her time windsurfing during a seven-year period in Capetown and she told me that at that time, she had no real interest in boats.

Featured Image (above): Loaded with hi-tech electronics – the 11.3 metre Bribie 1

boating queensland moreton bay

Having made the move to the land down under in 1987, Liz and Hendryk settled in Brisbane before starting a business which catered to the electroplating industry and supplied customers throughout Queensland and as far away as Darwin. Liz explained that eventually, after having seen the business experience considerable growth, the time came to put it on the market. ‘The process of electroplating is not used to anywhere the extent that it used to be,’ said Liz. ‘A lot of car parts, bumper bars and the like, that used to be chrome were being made out of moulded plastic, so this had resulted in a downturn in the industry and prompted us to sell.

We had already moved to Bribie Island in 2002 so, when the business sold in 2004, we retired and began to enjoy island lifestyle,’ she said. Whilst still living in Brisbane, the couple had ventured into the world of boating and when they moved to the island, they upgraded their tinny to a 560 Haines which was eventually replaced with an 8.54 metre Sports Cruiser. ‘As boat owners, we did the responsible thing and joined VMR in 2003. The next year the new Bribie 1 was being commissioned and we went along to the ceremony,’ Liz recalled.

‘I had the opportunity to sit in the vessel and I marvelled at all the hi-tech electronics, all the while wishing that I could operate something like that. I thought, “well, maybe one day”,’ she said. It was in 2008, after realising that she needed to find something to be involved, that Liz applied to go onto crew with VMR Bribie Island. ‘I thought that this would mean washing boats as well as just helping out in general, look at where I am now,’ exclaimed Liz.

As they say in the movies, this was to be the start of something big and, after participating in courses about navigation, regulations and other necessary requirements, Liz began to advance through the ranks. She described how, when attending an event at the Sandgate VMR, the vessel commander lined everyone up. ‘He was looking at me and I was starting to wonder what I had done wrong when he produced the epaulettes with the two stripes and told me that I was now competent crew. I think that was probably my most memorable moment with the squadron,’ said Liz.

As an indication of how diligently Liz Radajewski applies herself to any challenge that comes her way, it was during 2010 that she attained the status of Coxswain and, in the period between that and when her qualification was upgraded to Commercial Coxswain, she was appointed as Assistant Unit Training Officer. ‘I completed TAE Certificate 4 and have also been appointed by our parent body VMRAQ as a State Assessor,’ Liz told me. ‘In 2016, I took on the role of Vice-Commodore which meant that I had the opportunity to work with a really great committee and that was good fun.

Along with that, my responsibilities also involved making sure that the squadron operated smoothly and efficiently as well as being there to assist the Commodore,’ she said. Volunteer Marine Rescue Bribie Island is well known within the community as an organisation that has proven its capability many times and a contributing factor to this is the up to date equipment that crews are able to use when called upon to perform a rescue or recovery operation.

Naturally, an important part of this equipment is the three vessel in the VMR fleet, the pride of the fleet being the 11.3 metre “Bribie 1” which Liz tells me is loaded with the very latest in hi-tech electronics and powered by three 250hp Yamaha motors. She explained that “Bribie 2” a 7.5 metre vessel is also fitted with the identical range of equipment as “Bribie 1” and this enables it to be used as a training vessel to prepare the crew for a transition to the larger vessel. The third vessel in the fleet is the recently refurbished 5.5 metre “Jonkers Bribie 3” and Liz remarked that, since being refurbished, it is as good as new. Now being named as Commodore, Liz says that she is enjoying the role and points out that she regards being in the position as a way to repay VMR Bribie Island for the wonderful time that she has had since becoming a member. Worthy of note is the fact that she is the first female to be elected to this position at VMRBI.

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Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club member Barry Ayres

ISLANDER EXTRAORDINAIRE – TINA CLARK

David Sweedman
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ISLANDER EXTRAORDINAIRE – TINA CLARK

Anyone who is a reasonably keen reader of adventure fiction novels, in particular those with an African theme, will no doubt know of and most probably have read some or all of the works of Wilbur Smith and, whilst there are other authors who have penned novels which are set in that part of the world, they do not base all their story-lines on the area. Interestingly, our Islander Extraordinaire for November could be regarded as an exception to that observation because, unless I am seriously mistaken, local author Tina Clark has used the African continent exclusively as the setting for each of the five adult novels that she has penned to date.

Born in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) Tina was an avid reader of Mills and Boon romance novels as a young girl and this would serve as an influence at a later time. She told me that her first stories were ones that she recorded for the eldest of her two children to listen to. ‘I never actually wrote anything until my husband Shaun and I went on a weekend trip to Paris during the time that we were living in England.

We were staying in this small hotel that looked onto the rear of the Moulin Rouge and I happened to come across some men’s magazines,’ said Tina. ‘I began to flick through the pages and noticed that they were paying fifty pounds to people who had submitted two hundred word articles, The result was that I ended up writing a saucy article and sent it in, earning fifty pounds for my efforts,’ she said. Tina also mentioned that whilst being paid for these submissions, she sent fifty pounds to her mother.

‘Mum was studying in a theological college in South Africa and had run short of money so I sent some to help her out,’ Tina explained. ‘After she graduated, I told her how I had earned the money that I sent and she just laughed and said, “God works in mysterious ways. One day can you write a book that I can be proud of and brag about?”,’ recalled Tina. After living in England for three years, Tina and Shaun had the urge to seek a warmer climate and moved to Australia in 2000, living in Rockhampton for a brief period before settling on Bribie Island.

Having worked as a quality assurance auditor at the Teddington Laboratory in England, Tina chose to become a stay at home mum following the family’s relocation and this, of course, was the ideal opportunity for her to take up writing in a more serious fashion. She told me that she has written some children’s books and remarked that she finds picture books much harder to write than a 120,000-word novel.

Tina published her first children’s book, “African Orphan,” in 2005. That book was part of an educational series with Macmillan,’ she pointed out. From that time, Tina has written several other great children’s books and these include “Books for Fiji”, “Slowly, Slowly”, Child of Africa” and “The Avoidable Orphan.” As someone who had by then become aware of the pitfalls that are associated with having works published and also knowing the qualities that are necessary for a budding author to be successful, fourteen years ago Tina founded what can best be described as a professional development forum which she named as the CYA (Children and Young Adults) Conference as a way of getting agents, editors and writers together to discuss and learn about the crafts of writing.

This has been an annual event from that time. With a desire to begin writing more than just children’s books, and motivated by having continued to read Mills and Boon novels from the age of fourteen, Tina began submitting work to the Mills & Boon publishers but always with the same disappointing outcome. ‘My stories did not meet their requirements. There were too many characters and too many words,’ Tina commented. ‘My awakening came when I attended a five-day intensive course on romance writing and after another author, Fiona Brand, had read one of my works she told me that what I write is literary fiction, not romance,’ she added.

It would seem that Ms Brand’s observation served to point Tina in the right direction and in 2013, her first adult novel, “My Brother but One,” was published, achieving a number of very positive reviews and being shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards in 2014. That, as the saying goes, was the start of something big and from then on, Tina has written one novel each year except 2016 and these are “Shooting Butterflies”, Tears of the Cheetah”, “Child of Africa” and her latest work “Nature of the Lion” which is due to be released in Queensland stores on November 19th.

‘My latest novel, “Nature of the Lion” is set in the year 1986 and tells a story about what comes next after a hunter has killed the top five which are, elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo,’ said Tina ‘Number six on the list is a human and in the book, we follow a family in their attempts to evade a rogue hunter from a secret sect,’ she revealed. Traditionally, following the release of her novels, Tina has always conducted the first of what are many book signings at the Bribie Island Target store and anyone who would like to buy a copy of ‘Nature of the Lion” can do so at this outlet.

When not writing her next novel, Tina spends time enjoying her hobbies which include sewing, gardening, boating and lunching with her author friends. For a further insight into the life and works of the rather extraordinary member of our Bribie Island community, those who wish can log onto her web page, www.tmclark.com.au or check out the Facebook page tmclarkauthor. On a personal note, prior to being afforded the opportunity to interview Tina, I was not aware of her work but, now that I am, “Nature of the Lion” will definitely be on my bookshelf by close of business on the release day.

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ISLANDER EXTRAORDINAIRE – CATHERINE BILSON

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

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

In what will be a giant community welcome, the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre at Banksia Beach is celebrating its 30th Anniversary by inviting everyone to visit its spaces and studios in the week December 8 – 15 and join or watch wonderful and varied art and craft.

The Centre will feature a spree of FREE painting, printing, pottery, leadlight, glasswork, sewing, quilting, mosaic, drawing, recycling art, macrame, cardmaking and scrapbooking, resin art pouring, writing and publishing experiences for all on Bribie and surrounding region to discover and learn new experiences in creativity. Come along any and every day from 9 am – 4 pm and enjoy the fun and satisfaction of the amazing arts and crafts shared, learnt and enjoyed across the age groups, at the Arts Centre.

Experienced and friendly artists and demonstrators will share their skills and answer any questions about their medium. Naturally, the Centre’s Gift Shop and Galleries will be open for the duration and the cafe will be open daily between 10 am and 2 pm, so make a date to meet with friends for a coffee or lunch on the breezy deck to round off your experience. The celebrations salute the amazing foresight of the Centre’s founders, who opened the Centre at 191 Sunderland Drive, on December 11, 1988.

It remains the largest Centre of its kind in the country and according to its many interstate visitors and admirers throughout the year. Many claim it’s the most impressive in its scope and breadth. Venue Manager, Julie Thomson, said BICAS management wanted the occasion of the Art Centre’s 30th Anniversary to celebrate all that the Centre offers to and enriches the community with – art, creativity, friendship, stimulus, encouragement, learning, fun, and financial return on art created.

She said also that many people living alone on Bribie and nearby found solace and a sense of purpose in attending or volunteering at the Centre The week will kick off with a special Anniversary Make It Bake It Christmas market on Saturday, December 8. Here’s a chance to buy that special gift from any of the wonderful array of stalls selling handmade items, as well as enjoy live music, children’s art activity and breakfast or lunch from the cafe’s delicious menu.

PLANNING…

…for the 30th Anniversary week has taken place over the past months to include a great array of art experiences for BICAS members, friends, and the wider Bribie and region community, such as open studio visits, art and craft demonstrations, an artist-in-residence, Memory Wall, Treasure Hunt, Tree planting, time capsule burying. In the magnificent Matthew Flinders Gallery, there will be a week-long exhibition of BICAS history in art and memorabilia, works from Life Members of BICAS, former winners of the esteemed annual Matthew Flinders Art Prize and dedication of a tribute wall to its founder, the late artist, Margaret Guthrie, holding several of her works donated and lent for the occasion. There will also be a couple of musical events in the Gallery on the programme.

Best-selling Brisbane author Nick Earls will team with Chanel Lucas from Women in Docs to present a special literary/musical event on Sunday evening, December 9, at 6 pm. And popular local singing Quintet Two Plus Three will feature a rollicking concert of musical and light operatics favourites on Sunday, December 16 at 3 pm. (More details on how to book for these on page 34) The 30th Anniversary week will culminate in a gala night on Saturday, December 15. A full programme of events is featured opposite. The Bribie Woodcrafters and Gem & Fossicking Club, who share the precinct with the Centre, will also be open for demonstrations and information during this week

Amazing People

Here are just a few of the amazing people you can see and meet at the Bribie Community Arts Centre during their 30th Anniversary Celebrations Week. The winner of the inaugural Matthew Flinders Art Prize, at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre in 1999, John McVeigh Brown, will be a special guest at the 30th Anniversary week of activities. John will be giving a talk and demonstration in studio on Wednesday, December 12 at 10 am in Studio 2. Dale Marsh will be best know to Bribie Islanders and visitors for his iconic painting of children jumping off the island sandhills, reproduced on the Benabrow Ave Bellara billboard on the right as you leave the bridge.

Dale is an acclaimed Australian impressionist painter and one of the early supporters and founders of the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre. Several of his beautiful paintings are housed there in a room that carries his name. Dale will be giving a floor talk in the Matthew Flinders Gallery on Saturday, December 15 at 10 am. Award-winning indigenous artist Hazel Cowburn holds the Bribie Community Arts Centre in a special place in her heart as it was the venue for her first exhibition.

Hazel has been exhibited in the Gallery several times and also Artist of the Month. Meet her over a floor talk with her art in the Matthew Flinders Gallery during the 30th Anniversary week. Author James Lergessner has Bribie grit in his blood, having spent much of his life from boyhood on the island. He has a passion for history and especially Moreton Bay and Bribie yesteryear and he tells wonderful stories of the places and people who coloured their history. James will be giving a rousing and wonderful talk on the characters of Bribie’s past at the Centre Boardroom on Wednesday, December 12 at 2 pm.

James is also conducting a writing and publishing workshop for those who have a ken for the written word, love writing and wish to learn some navigation skills through the publishing world, on Friday, December 14 at 1 pm. Book for either of these at the Centre on 3408 9288. Renowned Sunshine Coast potter and tutor Jackie Gasson will be giving demonstrations of her amazing talent in the potters studio on Tuesday, December 11 at 1 pm.

Programme

Fund Raiser – ENSURING INCLUSIVENESS AND EQUALITY

David Sweedman
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Fund Raiser – ENSURING INCLUSIVENESS AND EQUALITY

In 1992, the United Nations General Assembly sanctioned December 3rd as International Day of People with a Disability and proclaimed the day as a means of increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. Each year, the day has a specific theme and is celebrated throughout the world with a variety of events.

The theme for 2018 is “Empowering People with Disabilities and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality” and on Monday 3rd December, that theme will come to life at the Bribie Island Rotary and Spinal Life Afternoon Tea at the Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club when those who attend will be treated to a Fashion Parade for all Abilities. As well as the fashion parade, there will be art and craft auctions and I’m told that the art auction will include a number of unique pieces and feature Paul Constable Calcutt.

Many local businesses have generously donated items for the auction and Spinal Life member Sue Ellen has made and donated some beautiful craft items. Entertainment for the afternoon will be provided by local well-known artist, Shane Kells who in the past has dedicated many hours to community work as an entertainer, raising money for worthy causes.

Shane, aka Kellsy, has recently been touring with Phil Emmanuel and Strangebrew in the “Back to Basics” tour and he reckons if there is one thing that he has learned over his years of performing, it is that you have to be adaptable. He describes his one-man show as being suitable for all ages, including soft songs for older folk as well as blues, rock and roll and even a bit of heavy rock Spinal Life Australia Bribie Island Network Community Connector Bill Peacock told me that all proceeds from the event will go to Rotary’s “World’s Greatest Meal to End Polio Now”.

‘We are hoping that this event will raise much-needed funds,’ said Bill. ‘In light of the polio outbreak in PNG, we have to be extra vigilant as it is only a plane trip away,’ he added. Anyone wishing to attend this special event which commences at 2 pm can purchase tickets ($35.00 each) now by depositing payment into the Rotary Club of Bribie Island account at the Bank of Queensland. BSB 124390 – account number 20314486 and using their name as a reference. Please send an advice of your purchase to [email protected].

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Ray of Hope South East Queensland

Bribie Vibe Market – November 25th

David Sweedman
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Bribie Vibe Market – November 25th

A DOUBLE VIBE

Since its inception, the Bribie Vibe Market, held at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre on the last Sunday of each month, has become a popular way for both locals and visitors to spend a Sunday morning and, as Christmas approaches, marketgoers will have the opportunity to visit the Vibe Markets twice in as many weeks.

Featured Image(above): Division One Councillor Brooke Savige and her family made the most of Santa’s visit to the 2017 Vibe Christmas Markets

As well as the normal event on November 25th, there will be a special Christmas Vibe Market on Saturday, December 8th and organisers have told me that, as well as the usual variety of stalls selling homemade craft and food items, Santa will be in attendance and local photographer Ian Jennings will be on hand to take photos of the family with Santa. Of course, there will be lots of activities for the kids including train rides and gem fossicking at the Gem Club.

Anyone who is feeling a bit peckish will be able to satisfy their hunger at the Vibe Café and there will be entertainment by the Caboolture Community Choir and the Bribie Island Country Music Club. The December market also kicks off the Arts Centre’s thirtieth-anniversary celebrations which will feature a week of great exhibitions and other activities. For more information on the markets or any of the other activities at the Arts centre, call 3408 9288 or visit the centre on Sunderland Drive at Banksia Beach.

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Vibe Markets – Arts and Crafts – Bribie Island

The Australian Vintage Aviation Society & Caboolture Community Action

David Sweedman
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The Australian Vintage Aviation Society & Caboolture Community Action

As Christmas draws nearer and the stores are crowded with shoppers who are in search of that special gift for a loved one, there are some who, due to any of a number of circumstances, are unable to afford a present for those that they care about and this, of course, means that not everyone will get a present this Christmas.

In order to lessen the impact of this very sad situation, the team at TAVAS (The Australian Vintage Aviation Society) have joined forces with Caboolture Community Action, an organisation which helps those who are experiencing financial hardship and people at risk of becoming homeless, to make sure that these people will get a present at Christmas. TAVAS co-founder Nathalie Gochel explained to me that, from when the society opened the doors to the public in June, giving back to the community has always been a central part of their operation. ‘People.

Especially the young, don’t forget that it is Christmas just because the family is experiencing difficulties and in an effort to help Caboolture Community Action provide presents to all that they support, we are asking for help,’ said Nathalie. ‘We would like people to buy a gift, wrap it and label it with gender and age, and place it under the Christmas tree that is in our hangar (Hangar 106) on McNaught Road at Caboolture Airfield. This will finish on December 15th and the gifts will then go to CCA for distribution,’ she added. Nathalie said that apparently there is always a shortage of gifts that are suitable for teenagers so presents for adolescent males and females are a priority. Gifts for female and male adults are also required.

This is an opportunity to brighten the Christmas period for those who are struggling and, if anyone would like to know more, they can either call TAVAS on 5495 7069 from Wednesday to Sunday or Nathalie Gochel on 0421 799 431. Information is also available by sending an email to [email protected].

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Microlight aircraft club – Caboolture Airfield.

Christmas lights display at 90 Foxtail Crescent in Banksia Beach

David Sweedman
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Christmas lights display at 90 Foxtail Crescent in Banksia Beach

About this time in 2017, I introduced readers to a Banksia Beach couple who are absolutely addicted to sharing their love of Christmas lights with all who take the time to visit their home at 90 Foxtail Crescent.

Featured Image(above): A part of the beautiful Christmas lights display at 90 Foxtail Crescent in Banksia Beach.

When I called to see them recently, Noela and Ted Knight were busy setting up their lighting display and they told me that 2018 is the sixteenth year that they have lit their home up for the festive season and the third time at their current address. The couple readily admits that they don’t have a clue as to how many lights there are in the display and, whilst they say that there is no room for more, Ted did tell me that they were going to check out the upcoming Aldi sale to buy just a few more lights.

As well as decorating their front yard with beautiful lighting, the Knights spend many hours setting up a wonderful Christmas theme in their garage and they explained that the process usually begins about six weeks before they open their display to the public on December 1st from 7 pm until 9 pm. ‘We used to finish on Christmas Eve but because there are people telling us that they want to show their families that are visiting for Christmas, we now open on the night of the 25th as well,’ Ted pointed out.

Ted and Noela spend more than six weeks setting up their Christmas feature

Arguably one of the most popular in the area, the display at 90 Foxtail Crescent in Banksia Beach attracts an astounding number of visitors during December and last year saw an estimated two thousand people come to enjoy the results of Noela and Ted’s efforts. Whilst the couple do not expect any financial reward for their dedication to keeping the spirit of Christmas alive, there will be a collection box beside the display and, as it was last year, the money that is collected will be donated to the local Vietnam Veterans Association to assist them with the work that they do within the community.

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Community Choir – The Sandstone Point Carols

Severe thunderstorm warning for SE Queensland

David Sweedman
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Severe thunderstorm warning for SE Queensland

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

for DESTRUCTIVE WINDS and LARGE HAILSTONES

issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for 17/11/2018

Severe thunderstorms have lashed the Kilcoy and Blackbutt area.  Trees down and damage was done to properties in this area.

Severe thunderstorms are developing along the ranges west of Brisbane and are likely to affect the coastal areas between the Sunshine coast and North NSW.

Check the latest warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology here.

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml

Taken from Bongaree this afternoon.

Be prepared!

 

Queensland travel destinations – Broome

David Sweedman
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Queensland travel destinations – Broome

Tags: Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Broome

Our last stop was Uluru and as Richard had to fly back to Brisbane for work, Ginger and I were able to enjoy this amazing place for an extra week. It was well after Easter by the time we pulled up stumps and with a couple of stops and a one-nighter at ‘Three Ways,’ where you could turn off to Mount Isa and head back to Queensland, or keep on going north, we were well on the way to one of my favourite places on the trip…..Mataranka!!!

Featured Image(above): Boab tree

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Broome

Mataranka thermal springs

A little place in the middle of nowhere put on the map by a book called ‘We of the Never Never,’ it is surrounded by hot thermal springs and definitely has the vibe! We were leaving the cold desert nights behind, putting our bathers back on, and within a short stroll reached the sparkling clear springs, surrounded with palm trees like an Oasis in the desert. Although it was quite busy at the park, one still felt the connection with nature. So much so, that one night I thought we were being cleaned out, waking up Richard to get his stick, we pushed open the caravan door, only to see a stunned Wallaby going through the guinea pigs box of food and hay…

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Broome

Tyre marks on the road

However, it was not just ‘wildlife’ the park had to offer, but also nightly entertainment including a performance of a local, who is the World Whip Champion! That is what Ginger’s diary had to say. We were on our way to Broome and at Mataranka we saw the famous world record holder Nathan Griggs! [live] He is a whip artist, and has cracked the longest whip in the world [100 meters]! He can do hose golly whip cracking, stitch whip cracking, cross cracking with the whips on fire, and heaps more! {to crack a whip is to make it make a certain sound without hitting anything.] he has a record for the longest whip ever cracked, and the fasted ever with two whips!

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Broome

Nathan Griggs in action

He can do 120 cracks in one minute. [that means he can do more than one in one second!] Mum reckons that he is around 24. We bought two mini whips, the yellow one is mine, and it’s got his signature on it. Mum, later on, wore her whip on her hat at a Broome shopping centre and lost it! While we were frantically asking everyone in the shops if they have seen a whip, we spotted the guard playing with it! He must have been bored but he gave us the whip back and that is all that matters.

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Broome

Rig at the Boab tree camp

After all this whipping we were well behaved and resumed our route to Broome. Or so we thought, as at Katherine we missed our turn off, heading towards Darwin instead, and had to do a ‘U – turn’ with our 15-metre rig on the highway, by reversing into some dirt track!!! After that, we were so eager to stay on the road, that we nearly ran out of diesel between Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing!

Richard had to pull over at a very awkward spot, on the narrow highway, to get out the emergency diesel canister and fill up the Dodge so we could drag ourselves to the next petrol station. We also had major slowdowns for wild cows and horses meandering in the middle of the highway. No wonder the road is full of black tyre marks, telling the stories of emergency stops and the sides being lined with bashed up cars, which were not able to halt in time. Another feature along the road were those huge termite hills, with a good number of them wearing T-Shirts, sunnies, hats and even bras!

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Broome

Dressed up termite mount

When I saw my first couple, I thought I was going mad and did not even mention it to Richard and Ginger, however, once they got more frequent I knew I was not imagining things. Turned out it is a Backpacker joke to dress up those termite hills like humans. Observing those Backpackers on the road, we finally decided to join them at a couple of ‘free camp sites’, where you need to bring your own power, water, toilet etc… Our first night was great, with Richard and Ginger washing off their daily grind in a large wild river.

We felt we could handle this ‘free camping’ and decided to do it again the next night, stopping at the so-called ‘Boab tree rest area’, named after the famous Boab tree. We felt very connected to nature, and even some wild cows came to visit us at sunset. However, my connection with nature came to an abrupt end, when by the morning, officially being Mothers day, we ran out of water!!! With a long drive ahead and no water to use the toilet, make a coffee or have a wash, it left me rather cranky and looking forward to a proper caravan park in Broome! ‘The Long Way Round to Bribie’! [email protected]

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Touring and Travel Australia – Clairview

LOCAL STUDENTS SELECTED TO ATTEND NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE FORUM (NYSF)

David Sweedman
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LOCAL STUDENTS SELECTED TO ATTEND NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE FORUM (NYSF)

Many of us have been “cut and burned” by Richard or Danielle at the Bribie Island Skin Cancer Clinic and know the apprehension you feel while waiting for the anaesthetic to work and the cutting to begin. My husband has no fear of the knife – he fears the anaesthetic! That anaesthetic needle is rather scary and hurts like hell. I tend to chat about anything to take my mind off what is about to happen. So at a recent visit, while Danielle was standing over me, knife in hand, I asked her did she know any Year 11 students who love science. She did – her daughter Lara.

Featured Image(above): Alexis Thomas, Lara Thompson, Rotary President John Oxenford and Charlotte Scott

Following my procedure, I sent all the details of Rotary’s NYSF program to Danielle. Lara applied, was interviewed by a District Panel, and was selected to attend the forum in January 2019. I had also contacted Bribie Island State High School and they nominated an outstanding young lady named Alexis Thomas, from Banksia Beach. Alexis was also successful at her interview and will attend the 2019 Forum. Lara and Alexis have excelled as many candidates, nominated by surrounding Rotary Clubs were not selected. Rotary is a partner of The National Youth Science Forum, a not for profit organisation.

NYSF hold 12-day residential programs designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and to encourage continued studies in these fields. The $3,150 cost for the program is shared 50/50 by the Rotary Club of Bribie Island and the student’s family. Each year approximately 600 students from around Australia are selected to attend one of three sessions held in Canberra or Brisbane.

Participants take part in sessions on entrepreneurship, critical thinking, how to work together effectively, and more. The focus is not solely on academic achievements, but on developing well-rounded individuals who have the skills and confidence to determine their futures.

THE CONTEMPORARY ART PRACTICES

David Sweedman
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THE CONTEMPORARY ART PRACTICES

Working Together Group

For the month of October, the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre “Artist of the Month” becomes Artists of the month, namely the twenty-two members that meet weekly as the Contemporary Art Practices Working Together Group to enjoy the freedom of improvisation and experimentation, ultimately producing a diverse variety of works.

Featured Image(above): Tiger by Dawn Farrell

As this monthly feature includes a requirement for the artist to provide a talk about their work and motivation, the CAP group chose member Sue Davy to represent them for the presentation and, although Sue made a point of letting her audience know about just how nervous she was, she did a wonderful job of not only holding everyone’s attention but also explaining what the group is all about.

Sue began by relating her experiences as a teacher in Alice Springs where she was given the task of teaching art to a class of rather unruly fourteen-year-old students. She explained that by teaching them about the value of trust and integrity and subsequently the importance of being able to recognise tones and patterns in their art, she ended up with a group that all produced work to be proud of. ‘I couldn’t fault what they had done so when assessment time came around, I gave them all an “A,”’ said Sue.

Sue Davy held everyone’s attention with her enjoyable talk

‘Despite a firm direction to the contrary from the Deputy Principal, I refused to alter my grading and his attitude made me feel as though I was on another planet,’ she remarked. Talking about a much more recent time in her life, Sue told all present about when, as the president of an art society, she was confronted with people who were judgemental of others, not because of the art that they produced, but because of personal issues. ‘They were against allowing some artists to hang their work in the gallery,’ Sue said.

Mt Gillen at Dusk by Sue Davy

Artist of the Month Coordinator Debra Mieth inspecting the group’s display

‘The way that they carried on made me feel once again like I was on another planet,’ she added. Moving on to when she first walked into the Contemporary Art Practices Group’s meeting, Sue said that the atmosphere was just so refreshing with people encouraging each other and never criticising. ‘I finally felt like I was on the right planet,’ she pointed out. ‘I really like the planet that I’m on now so I think that I will be staying for a while,’ she said with a smile.

Flow by Tineke Berghofer

Whilst the Contemporary Art Practices Working Together Group sessions are sometimes structured, there is no tutor and the membership showcases a wealth of talent with some being qualified teachers or tutors and others having been art prize winners. The group holds exhibitions throughout the region including their annual Eclectica display in the Mathew Flinders Gallery at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre. The centre is on Sunderland Drive in Banksia Beach and is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Information about the various activities at the centre can be obtained by either paying a visit or by a call to 3408 9288.

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH – DEBRA MIETH

Funny Pet Pictures and photos

David Sweedman
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Funny Pet Pictures and photos

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

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