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Banksia Garden Club

David Sweedman
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Banksia Garden Club

Tags: Gardening clubs and groups. Bribie Island. Brisbane.

Following the extensive media reports concerning the plight of our primary producers that has been caused by the harshest drought to be experienced in decades, members of community organisations have been finding ways to raise funds in order to assist those who are affected and included in that are the group of green thumbs who belong to the Banksia Garden Club.

Featured Image(above): Plant sales will help drought victims

The club meets on the first Wednesday of each month and at both the October and November get-togethers, members have the opportunity to purchase items from a table that is loaded with a great range of donated goods and all monies from the sales of those goods will be donated to the drought relief campaign. As well as this, profits from sales at the plant table (a regular feature at meetings) will be added to the total amount that is donated.

Gardening clubs and groups. Bribie Island. Brisbane.

This array of donated goods will raise funds for drought relief

At the monthly meetings, members have the chance to catch up with other keen gardeners and participate in judging the selection of plants that are brought along by members to show what they have grown. A guest speaker attends each meeting and club president Desley Horsfall pointed out that this is always someone who is associated with gardening. During the year, the club also holds open garden days, come and share events and other social events.

Anyone who would like to find out more about the Banksia Garden Club can call Desley on 3408 8470.

Other Articles

Banksia Beach Garden Club’s 2018 Friendship Day

Mad Poets Society – Oct 2018

David Sweedman
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Mad Poets Society – Oct 2018

Tags: Poems. Rhymes. Riddles

An Essential Tool

Everybody needs one: this fabulous device.

If I could get one somewhere, I’d be finished in a trice,

But no matter how I try, I can’t find one anywhere.

They no longer seem to make them – it really isn’t fair.

I could use one in the kitchen where the dirty dishes pile,

And also in the office with lots of bills to file.

I would like one in the laundry where the ironing isn’t done,

Or to help me finish painting – which I used to think was fun!

If I had one in the garden to rid the lawn of weeds,

I wouldn’t need to spray them to stop them shedding seeds.

And in the storage cupboard, there’d be lots of empty space

To put the extra items that are gathering a-pace.

My husband said he’d found some down upon the beach:

He brought them home and hung them up – just beyond my reach.

So now I have a good excuse, if asked by him to “do it!”.

Whate’er the job, I just can-t reach to get a “round too-it”!

By Hazel King

MAD MAX 2

As the crystal blue and green waves crush upon it’s sandy shores,

It brings with it a calming peace that simply can’t be ignored,

The natural wonder that seems to be so close,

Sure is visited on the weekends by most.

But to be bitter with the guests who come from far and wide,

Seems so petty, selfish, and honestly a waste of your time.

“Years ago the beach permit was for a year you had to be a resident to receive one my dear”,

This is irrelevant, pointless, and just so we’re clear, it’s always been a public beach my friend!

And after all without the benefit of those who pay,

This national park couldn’t be protected anyway.

Tracey Williams

 

The MINI Bribie Islander Nov 2018 / Dec 2018 Issue 23

David Sweedman
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The MINI Bribie Islander Nov 2018 / Dec 2018 Issue 23

Get all your local news from your local newspaper – The Bribie Islander. Articles on sports, boating, camping, fishing, life, drama, travel destinations, what to see on Bribie Island and what to do, charities, organisations, places, children’s activities, arts and crafts, tourist destinations, heritage parks, technology, science, music, gardening and much more.

Bribie Island, one of Queensland most desired travel destinations.

 

The Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group

David Sweedman
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The Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group

Tags: Bribie Island. Groups. Clubs. Artists. Arts and crafts. Art.

Each month, the Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group has an optional theme for their creations and at their forthcoming exhibition in the Mathew Flinders Gallery at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, paintings depicting the theme associated with the Banjo Patterson poem, “Waltzing Matilda” will be included in the display. Group coordinator Gail Greening has told me that group members have each painted a picture that depicts a line from the well-known poem.

Featured Image(above): Each member has painted a picture depicting a line from
the famous poem

Bribie Island. Groups. Clubs. Artists. Arts and crafts. Art.

Once a jolly swagman sat by a billabong

‘The exhibition will offer something for everyone and each of the paintings will be for sale,’ said Gail. ‘There are landscapes, seascapes and birds as well as animals and flowers, all painted in both modern and traditional styles,’ she added. The Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group was formed over fourteen years ago and comprises a group of people who have a real passion for painting in watercolour.

They meet every Monday at the Art Centre complex and all interested people are welcome to visit them to check out just what they do. Gail explained that watercolour is exciting and at times challenging medium which offers artists the chance to create bright modern designs and also traditional landscape, floral and animal paintings. Sharing the gallery during the exhibition which runs from October 30th until November 8th is the Thursday Painters Working Together Group and they are artists that use a range of art media for their works.

Bribie Island. Groups. Clubs. Artists. Arts and crafts. Art.

Where’s that jolly jumbuck that you’ve got in your tucker bag

As the name suggests, this group meets at the Arts Centre each Thursday. Information about the group can be obtained by calling Maureen Gough on 3408 2716 or Bev Power on 3408 7882. The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre is on Sunderland Drive in Banksia Beach and the opening of the exhibition will be from 5.30 pm until 7 pm on October 30th and if anyone would like to find out more about the event, or about the Watercolour Working Together Group, Gail Greening can be contacted on 3410 8794.

Other Articles

Bribie Island Community Arts Centre – Craft Gallery

The first Melbourne Cup on November 7th, 1861.

David Sweedman
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The first Melbourne Cup on November 7th, 1861.

Tags: History. Melbourne Cup. Horse racing events. Australia.

The running of 2018 Melbourne Cup was fast approaching and whilst punters around the country, and for that matter, around the world was already considering which of the horses would have the best chance of being first past the post, very few people will take the time to think about the history of the race or the story of the horse that came home first in the first Melbourne Cup on November 7th, 1861.

Featured Image(above): Archer with owner TJ Roberts in 1862 – Painted by Frederick Woodhouse Snr – Image courtesy of Mrs Olive Royds

The Melbourne Cup is famous as the most prestigious Thoroughbred horse race in Australia and is an event which is run as part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Referred to as “the race that stops the nation,” it is the richest “twomile” handicap in the world and among the richest turf races.

The event was initially run over 3.219 kilometres and that remained the distance for the race until 1972 when it was shortened to 3,200 metres (1.988 miles) after Australia converted to the metric system. The inaugural race, consisting of seventeen starters and watched by a crowd of about four thousand, was a rather eventful affair with one horse bolting prior to the start and another three falling during the race, two of which being injured to the extent where they had to be put down.

Contrary to the beliefs of some, the prize was not the richest purse up to that time and the winner received 750 gold sovereigns and a hand-beaten gold watch. The first Melbourne Cup Trophy was not presented until 1865 and the first proper Melbourne Cup was awarded to owners of race winner “The Barb” in 1866. A three year old by the name of Archer ensured his place in racing history when he won the first Melbourne Cup in a time of 3 minutes 52 seconds, beating the favourite Mormon by six lengths.

He had also defeated Mormon earlier the same year in the Australia Cup over 2.5 miles at Randwick. Earning the nickname “The Bull” with those who knew of him, Archer was a large horse for a three-year-old, standing over sixteen hands with powerful hindquarters well-sprung ribs and a good head. He was known for his long stride, being able to cover forty-three metres in sixteen strides and his large frame took its toll on his legs, often resulting in him being lame. A noted idiosyncrasy of Archer was that he always galloped with his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

Archer was foaled in 1856 in New South Wales and there are conflicting reports about where this took place. Whilst there are some who believe that he was foaled at Exeter Farm near Braidwood, there is also evidence to suggest that Thomas Royd’s Ballabala cattle farm was the correct location. Royd was the owner of both the sire, William Tell, and dam Maid of the Oaks of the future champion. Owned by Tom Roberts, in 1860 Archer was leased by Etienne de Mestre of Terara near Nowra and his training commenced the same year.

History. Melbourne Cup. Horse racing events. Australia.

In the lead up to his success in the 1861 Melbourne Cup, Archer had won the Randwick Plate in both 1860 and ’61, the Steward’s Purse in 1860, the Australia Plate and the Maitland Town Plate in 1861 and, the day after his Melbourne Cup win, ran first in the Melbourne Town Plate. In 1862, and ridden once again by jockey John Cutts, Archer won the second Melbourne Cup by eight lengths in a time of 3 minutes 47 seconds, starting as the favourite at 2 to 1 odds in front of a crowd which was almost double the size of the previous year’s spectators.

Winning the prestigious race twice in two years was a feat which was not equalled until Peter Pan won back to back Melbourne Cups more than seventy years later. There have been many outstanding performances in “the race that stops the nation” since Archer’s 1861 and ’62 victories but as well as being the very first winner, Archer will be remembered as one of only two horses that have won the race by eight lengths with Rain Lover equalling that performance in 1968. As a fitting tribute to “The Bull”, he was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2017.

Other Articles

Queensland travel destinations – Uluru

 

ENTERTAINERS OF THE Island – BITS N PIECES

David Sweedman
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ENTERTAINERS OF THE Island – BITS N PIECES

Tags: Bribie Island Entertainers. Musicians. Singers. Songwriters

When Angela and Wayne Carter made the decision almost a decade ago to advertise for a few musicians to join them for the occasional jam session, they attracted the attention of Ernie Montgomery and then Bob Edwards not long after, resulting in a combination of talent and experience that led to the formation of local band The Day Dreamers.

Featured Image(above): Always well received – local band BITS N PIECES

Keyboard player Ernie Montgomery told me that, after a few jam sessions, Angela, as the lead singer, encouraged them to take it to the next level and look for opportunities to perform at market venues and private functions. As we all are very aware, situations change, and the band name Day Dreamers has now been replaced with Bits N Pieces and what was four has now become five with the addition of bass guitar player, Eric Banham just over three years ago.

Eric brings to the band a wealth of experience in the music industry, having played in rock and cabaret bands prior to moving to our area from Tasmania. ‘My introduction to music was when, at the age of seven, I learned the piano accordion and played on the local radio station in Launceston along with my twin brother,’ said Eric. ‘When I was twelve, my father started to learn the guitar and, because that was way cooler than a piano accordion, I went down the same track,’ he explained.

Angela and Wayne Carter have a long history in music and are well known locally, having had a music shop at Banksia Beach, Angela is the band’s lead singer and Wayne plays rhythm guitar and is also the second lead singer. Bob Edwards is the lead guitarist and also contributes with back up vocals and brings many years of experience to the outfit, having played at many Sydney venues before relocating to the Sunshine State.

Bribie Island Entertainers. Musicians. Singers. Songwriters

Sixteen tracks of easy listening

Ernie Montgomery is what can best be described as a super talented keyboard player and he remarked that even when he was a child, he used to take every opportunity to play the piano. Although when he first joined with Angela and Wayne, he played the guitar, it did not take very long for all to realise where his real talent was. Bits N Pieces has an extremely versatile repertoire which includes music from the 50’s 60’s and 70’s and Ernie pointed out that they have music to entertain people of all ages.

‘Everyone from seniors to teenagers,’ he said. Following many requests from those who enjoy their music, the four men of the band have produced a CD of instrumental music which is entitled, “Instrumental Holiday.” The Album features sixteen tracks of tunes by well-known artists such as the Shadows and Bert Kaempfert and provides just under one hour of easy listening.

They also have a few numbers on YouTube and I’m told that Angela has recorded a couple of CDs as a solo artist. This group of local entertainers is always well received wherever they are playing and, as it so happens, they will be entertaining at the October Vibe Markets on the last Sunday of the month at the Bribie Island Arts Centre. They are available to perform at both public venues and private functions so, if anyone would like to enquire about having them play at an event, Eric can be contacted on 0419 557 804.

Other Articles

Entertainers of the Island -JACK JAMES

BRIBIE SIMPLY HEALTHY-Boswellia Complex – Oct/Nov 2018

David Sweedman
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BRIBIE SIMPLY HEALTHY-Boswellia Complex – Oct/Nov 2018

Tags: Health and wellbeing. Boswellia Complex. Lifestyle. Vitamins and minerals.

Boswellia Complex Keeps you healthy, maintains and supports healthy joints, which is good for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis swelling and has many other benefits.

I have received positive feedback from the customers who come to Bribie Simply Healthy, on a product called ‘Boswellia complex’, which helped them with their osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis pain. Boswellia also can be used to treat asthma, cancer and Cohen’s disease. I have looked into the health benefits of the ingredients in the product which are celery seeds, ginger and Turmeric.

Boswellia extract has been used for centuries in Asian and African traditional medicine. It is also known as Indian frankincense. Taking a natural medicine ought to be a safer solution than chemical-based man-made drugs, please be mindful about the side effects of the medications you are taking.

In some cases, the side effects are more harmful than treating the sickness. If you experience new health problems, consider some of your sicknesses may be caused by the medication. Boswellia is effective in treating chronic inflammatory illnesses such as osteoarthritis ‘pain and inflammation’ and ‘rheumatoid arthritis swelling’. Some research suggests that Boswellia interferes with the autoimmune process, which will help to reduce rheumatoid arthritis. It also may prevent the loss of cartilage.

Boswellic acids act in a number of ways that may inhibit cancer growth and have been shown to prevent the growth of cancer-causing enzymes. Therefore it fights breast cancer cells, limits the growth of malignant leukaemia, brain tumour cells and pancreatic cancer cells. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties in Boswellia, it can be used in treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Boswellia acid also can prevent asthma symptoms and reduce bronchiolitis symptoms.

‘Boswellia Complex’ is designed by Mediherb, which contains Boswellia, celery seed, ginger and Turmeric. Celery seeds help reduce swelling and pain and have many other benefits such as improving sleep, good for cognitive function, helps maintain healthy blood pressure and fight infections. Ginger can reduce muscle pain and soreness; it has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help with osteoarthritis, lower blood sugars, supports heart disease and brain function and help fight infections.

The last ingredient is Turmeric, this is well known for its medicinal properties. Turmeric has a potent anti-inflammatory compound the active ingredient is called Curcumin. Some studies have shown Curcumin is more effective in treating arthritis pain than anti-inflammatory drugs. Curcumin is also one of the best selling products from the Bribie Simply Healthy. Curcumin is known for preventing Alzheimer’s disease, some say that Indian people don’t suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, like western people do, because turmeric is part of their everyday diet. Curcumin may help delay ageing and fight age-related chronic diseases.

Curcumin has many scientifically proven health benefits, such as prevention of heart diseases, Alzheimer’s and cancer. It’s a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and may also help improve symptoms of depression as well as all the other benefits mentioned above.

Other Articles

BRIBIE SIMPLY HEALTHY – Healthy eating

Meet the Volunteers – DI CARR

David Sweedman
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Meet the Volunteers – DI CARR

Tags: BRIBIE ISLAND COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE. Volunteers.

As is the case with many of the organisations within our community, the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre continues to operate so well mainly because of the selfless commitment of its volunteers and all of those dedicated people deserve recognition for their efforts. Over the coming months, The Mini Bribie Islander will endeavour to provide a small amount of recognition for those volunteers through this regular feature and in this issue, we take a look at the valuable contribution that is continually being made by a thirteen-year volunteer, Di Carr.

Di and her husband Allan moved to our beautiful island from Townsville fourteen years ago in order to take care of Di’s parents in their later years and prior to their relocation, Di had been employed as a special education teacher. She explained that when she first became involved at the centre in 2005, it was as a committee member. ‘The role that I had then was nowhere near what I do now,’ said Di.

Over the years I have become a lot more involved and now, as well as being a reception desk supervisor, I am responsible for organising the volunteer roster and also assisting Venue Manager Julie Thompson with the training of new volunteers,’ she told me. Whilst Di openly admits that she is lacking in any artistic skills and is barely capable of even drawing a stick figure, she did tell me about her hobby of button collecting. ‘On occasion, I have made some button jewellery but because I am usually so busy, I haven’t had a chance to do that lately,’ she said.

BRIBIE ISLAND COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE. Volunteers. 

When describing what motivates her to devote her time to her volunteer work at the Arts Centre, Di said that as well as the enjoyment that she gets when working with the great team of volunteers, she really enjoys the social aspect that is associated with being able to help those who visit the centre. ‘Being a volunteer at the centre allows me to be involved and assist at important exhibition openings and other events,’ Di pointed out. ‘Everyone is looking forward to the thirtieth -anniversary celebrations in December and this is a fabulous opportunity for all volunteers to become involved,’ she said.

The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre are not only a venue for talented people to display (and sell) their works in the galleries, it also offers the availability of several studios which can be used by those groups that are in need of somewhere to either hold their meetings or practice their artistic skills. Visitors to the centre have the opportunity to purchase from a selection of beautifully crafted items at the gift shop or perhaps one of the works on display in the Mathew Flinders Gallery.

As is understandable when one thinks about the diverse range operations at the centre, there is always a need for more volunteers and anyone who would like to find out more about volunteering, or just about what the Arts Centre has to offer, should either visit the centre at 191 Sunderland Drive at Banksia Beach or make a call to 3408 9288.

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ROTARY DOES SO MUCH MORE THAN SAUSAGE SIZZLES

Reasons for grey hair

David Sweedman
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Reasons for grey hair

Tags: Hair loss. Grey Hair. Reasons.

HOW MANY SHADES OF GREY? (Not Another Book)

For years now I’ve been telling myself that I’m only a bit grey, not someone with grey hair but now it’s come down to the situation in which the image that I see in the mirror can not, even in one’s wildest stretch of imagination, be described any other way than as someone with not only a grey – almost white – beard but with grey hair as well.

Studies have revealed that Caucasians tend to go grey earlier, with redheads being the earliest of all, and whilst a common belief is that this condition is primarily caused by stress, experts in dermatology suggest that, although stress may be a contributing factor in some instances, there are many other issues which affect the onset of grey hair. ‘Smoking is one thing that stresses hair,’ says Dr Karthik Krishnamurthy of the Montefiore Medical Centre in New York.

‘Low vitamin B12 levels are notorious for causing loss of hair pigment,’ the doctor pointed out. Other experts advise that people should try eating foods such as liver and carrots as foods that are packed with vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants may help to protect cells prevent a number of ailments as well as early greying of hair. Interestingly, hair doesn’t turn grey, it grows that way and statistics show that a single hair grows for up to three years and then it is shed, being replaced by a new one.

As people age their new hairs are more likely to be white because every time the hair regenerates, it is necessary for pigment-forming cells to re-form and eventually they wear out. Professor Tobin of Cell Biology at the University of Bradford in the UK suggests that hair follicles may be regulated by a melanogenetic clock that eventually slows down the cells’ activity.

‘Hair turns grey because of age and genetics and the genes regulate the exhaustion of the pigmentary potential of each hair follicle,’ says Tobin. Well, I guess that, whilst all these scientific findings are a plausible explanation as to why my hair resembles the ashes of a fire, the fact of the matter is that I don’t much like all these signs that too readily give away my age.

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Health – LIVING WITH CHRONIC PAIN

RENNI FORBES and the SOPWITH TRI-PLANE Replica

David Sweedman
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RENNI FORBES and the SOPWITH TRI-PLANE Replica

Tags: Caboolture Airfield. Historical Airplanes. Replicas. History. War

In the Air with RENNI FORBES and the SOPWITH TRI-PLANE Replica

It is probably fair to say that whenever the subject of tri-planes is mentioned, most people automatically think of Manfred Von Richthofen and his famous red Fokker Tri-Plane and, considering the numerous times that his exploits and ultimate demise in the skies over France have been the subject of articles in the media, this is perfectly understandable. A fact which is much less publicised is that the Fokker Tri-Plane, and probably most of the others that were built in that era, were all inspired by the British designed and built World War 1 fighter, the Sopwith Tri-Plane.

Featured Image(above):Renni Forbes spent ten years building his
Sopwith Tri-Plane replica

Designed by Herbert Smith in early 1916, the Sopwith Tri-Plane N500 took to the air for the first time in May 0f the same year with Sopwith test pilot Harry Hawker at the controls and apparently, just three minutes into the flight, Hawker looped the plane three consecutive times. He later described the tri-plane as extremely agile with well-harmonised controls and it was these qualities that were to result in the aircraft becoming very popular with pilots. Whilst there was no denying the aircraft’s capabilities, it certainly did have a rather unusual appearance and it was said that, when rolling, it resembles a drunken flight of steps.

Caboolture Airfield. Historical Airplanes. Replicas. History. War

The Sopwith Tri-Plane cockpit

The Sopwith Tri-Plane was introduced into service at the end of 1916 and soon attracted the attention of other designers with Anthony Fokker going to extreme lengths in his efforts to get his hands on one and this, of course, was to result in the birth of the Fokker Tri-Plane. Taking a leap forward in time to the twenty-first century, Caboolture plasterer and keen pilot Renni Forbes has recently completed what was a ten-year build of a Sopwith Tri-Plane replica and he told me that he decided to undertake the project after learning that he was allowed to build his own plane.

‘I have always liked the look of World War 1 aircraft and had built a few models,’ said Renni. ‘I had read that the triplane handled well and was good to fly so I bought a set of plans then began the project,’ he added. Renni explained about having started the build while still living in Zillmere and then moving to the Caboolture area. ‘The one pre-requisite for what I bought up here was that it had to have a shed which was suitable for continuing the build,’ Renni pointed out.

Caboolture Airfield. Historical Airplanes. Replicas. History. War

The Sopwith Tri-Plane prototype

‘I found a place with a big high shed so you could say that I bought it for the shed,’ he said. He also told me that to achieve the idea of building his tri-plane, he had to buy several pieces of special equipment including a folder and guillotine. When Sopwith introduced their revolutionary tri-plane, it was powered by a Clerget 110 hp rotary engine, later replaced by a 130hp Clerget, whilst Renni’s replica is fitted with the Victorian Rotech 150hp radial and so one must think that it will most certainly not be underpowered.

Renni said that the ten-year project has taken approximately three thousand hours to complete and he admitted that the aircraft was basically a flying hot rod. ‘It’s not what you would call practical,’ he admitted. The Caboolture Airfield is home to many beautiful examples of replica and restored military aircraft from throughout the history of aviation and Renni’s Sopwith Tri-Plane is a perfect example. When not in the air, the aircraft is hangered along with other aircraft from the same era in the TAVAS Museum on McNaught Road. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm.

Other Articles

Baron Manfred Von Richthofen (the Red Baron) Honey

the Bribie Island Orchid Society’s Spring Orchid and Foliage Show

David Sweedman
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the Bribie Island Orchid Society’s Spring Orchid and Foliage Show

Tags: Gardening. Orchids. Gardening shows. Lifestyle. Bribie Island. Brisbane

CYMBIDIUMS EPIDENDRUMS VANDAS (and others)

Despite weather that can best be described as ugly, the Bribie Island Orchid Society’s Spring Orchid and Foliage Show attracted almost eight hundred visitors over the two days of the event. Society Secretary Teresa Watson told me that the response from the public was better than expected considering the inclement weather and the quality of the exhibits earned praise from the judges.

Featured Image(above): Vendors from near and far came to the show

‘The guest judge from the Australian Orchid Council remarked that the blooms were the best he had seen,’ said Teresa. ‘He told us that even after two days, the quality had not diminished,’ she added. The well-patronised show was held in the Orchid House and in the adjacent Indoor Bowls Hall and, as well as being able to inspect the staggering number of exhibits, those who came along were given the opportunity to make a purchase from one of the vendors who came from as far away as Sarina.

Gardening. Orchids. Gardening shows. Lifestyle. Bribie Island. Brisbane

Photo Credit: Marj Webber

As you would expect at an event such as this, there was the chance to win a prize in one of the raffles and Teresa has pointed out that all of the raffles, including the major prize which was donated by Mitre 10, were won by locals. ‘The raffles were a great success and we will be donating twenty-five per cent of the profit from them to the Vietnam Veterans Association,’ said Teresa.

Gardening. Orchids. Gardening shows. Lifestyle. Bribie Island. Brisbane

Photo Credit: Marj Webber

Member for Pumicestone Simone Wilson was there to present the prizes to those whose exhibits had been judged as worthy of an award and it was R&J Hopkins of Caboolture who took out the prize for Champion Orchid of Show. Reserve Champion went to J&B Hopgood whilst Robertson Orchids picked up Champion Species with G&C Button’s exhibit was named as Champion Specimen.

Gardening. Orchids. Gardening shows. Lifestyle. Bribie Island. Brisbane

Judges were impressed by the quality of the exhibits

Gardening. Orchids. Gardening shows. Lifestyle. Bribie Island. Brisbane

Those trusty chefs from the Vietnam Veterans were there with the yummy sausages

The award for Champion Australian Native went to M&A Vlekkert and T Beenders took out Champion Foliage. As an indication of just how much people love their orchids, Teresa said that the club sales table, where members can sell their plants, took more than $4,000 during the show. With the Spring event now over, the Bribie Island Orchid Society is now planning for their very popular Easter show.

Other Articles

Banksia Garden Club – Open garden day

3,380 WEEKS

David Sweedman
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3,380 WEEKS

As those of you who regularly read my articles are probably aware, I often use a headline that fails to reveal much about the subject and the title of this article is no exception. To save everyone the trouble of doing the necessary calculations, 3,380 weeks converts to sixty-five years and that relates to how long Bellara couple Margaret and Wally Westwood have been happily married and I had the opportunity to catch up with them as they celebrated the milestone with members of their family recently. Having met at a dance hall in the Sydney suburb of Bankstown, Margaret and Wally had to wait three years before they were able to tie the knot.

Featured Image(above): Celebrating their anniversary with family

‘My father refused to allow me to marry before I was twenty-one,’ Margaret told me. ‘As it turned out, we ended up getting married ten days before my twenty-first birthday and because Wally is younger than me. We both had to get signed permission from our parents. When I met Wally, he told me that he was a year older than he was,’ she explained. The couple were married on October 10th in 1953 at Campsie in NSW and Wally worked as a clothing industry sales representative, eventually advancing to a position which placed him in charge of the women’s clothing division of Bonds.

Upon retirement, Margaret and Wally moved to the Sunshine State, taking up residence in an apartment on their daughter Mandy’s property at Burpengary. Bitten by the travel bug, they spent much of their time caravanning, using the Burpengary premises as their base. ‘Our caravanning came to an end when I suffered a stroke,’ said Wally. ‘We had just returned home from the North to spend Christmas with the family and I was struck down two days before Christmas Day,’ he added.

Three years ago, the Westwoods became members of our community when they made the decision to move from Burpengary to the Seasons Retirement Village in Bellara and it was there that they celebrated their sixty-fifth anniversary along with family members and Seasons staff. Whilst only a few of their family were able to attend on the day the couple have three children, fifteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. ‘That number is still growing,’ said Wally.

They’re still working on it,’ he pointed out. In modern times when it is all too common to hear about couples divorcing after only a few years, it is refreshing to know that for people like Margaret and Wally Westwood, the words “’till death do us part” really mean something. The team at The Mini Bribie Islander and in fact, the community at large wish to congratulate Margaret and Wally on their wonderful commitment to each other.

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The Bribie Islander Nov 2018 Issue 52

CALLING ALL BRIBIE ARTISTS ART COMPETITION ENTRIES NOW OPEN

David Sweedman
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0
CALLING ALL BRIBIE ARTISTS ART COMPETITION ENTRIES NOW OPEN

Tags: Bribie Island Artist Competition.

Interest is building in the inaugural MINI Bribie Islander Magazine Christmas Issue Cover Art Competition since being announced in our sister publication The MINI Bribie Islander gloss magazine last month. Christmas is a very special time of the year and the team at The Bribie Islander have come up with a novel way to celebrate this festive event in conjunction with our local arts community through the Bribie Island Community ArtsCentre, at Banksia Beach.

The MINI Bribie Islander magazine is offering a $250 cash prize to the local Bribie artist who produces a suitable artwork for the front cover of our December 21 issue. We are looking for a painted or illustrated work, portraying the theme of “A Very Bribie Christmas”. All sorts of mediums are welcome, including oil, water and acrylic paints, pencils, pastels, crayons, and charcoal just to mention a few. Of course, this is not a new idea. Norman Rockwell the famous American artist, for many years painted Christmas -themed artworks for the front covers of “The Saturday Evening Post” (hence the illustration used in the article). The Bribie Islander is very keen to hear from local artists who wish to participate in this inaugural festive art competition.

Judging of the winning artwork, that will appear on the front cover of 15,000 Bribie Islander magazines, will be undertaken by an independent panel of peers and the winning artist will be announced at the Art Centre in their 30th Anniversary celebrations week, December 8 – 16.  Contact David Sweedman directly at The Bribie Islander email [email protected] or on 0409 846 559.

 

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