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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Judges were impressed by the quality of the exhibits
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.
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.
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.
Over the next few months expect to see more storm fronts develop throughout south-east Queensland and the Bribie Island district. Summer storms can be quick moving and cause widespread destruction. When on the water or planning an offshore trip always keep an eye on whether there’s any storm activity predicted or the possibility of any severe weather fronts moving through.
Featured Image(above): Whiting from 8th Avenue
Having live BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) radar readings on storm fronts is a great way to monitor and track storm movements if you are in the bay or offshore. If the severity of the storms already experienced in September and October is going to be any indication of the upcoming storm season to come, then quite possibly it could be one of the worst seasons in years.
In the passage over the last month has seen an abundance of baitfish and baby prawns present. There has been longtail tuna, mackerel, gts and Queenfish cruising the passage feeding on the schools. On the bottom big flattys, cod, moses perch, squire, sweetlips, jewies, and whiting also around. The passage is up to about 15m or so at its deepest and has widespread coffee rock patches, weedy banks, bridge pylons and plenty of creek systems throughout.
There have been some big yellowtail kingies in the bay at present
There’s also plenty of oyster leases and rock bars also. There’s just so many areas and locations to fish or crab. The mangrove jacks also becoming more active with this hotter, humid weather. Using fresh fillet baits, live baits or pilchards is the go for the jacks. Casting plastics up along deep snaggy banks and underwater rock bars another great way to catch a jack.
The summer whiting has really moved into the passage over the last few weeks and live worms and yabbies the pick of the baits. The sand crabs have started to pick up a bit, although weed, jellyfish and plenty of people crabbing out there. Only a couple of muddies around of late, but another month or two and numbers and size in the muddies should increase.
The offshore and Moreton Bay area has been producing fish, although weather, current, and winds making it harder to fish. Over the next couple of months expect wahoo, Spanish mackerel, dolphin fish, tuna and marlin to be moving south of the cape. Trolling skirts and hardbodys is a good way to chase most pelagics. Unfortunately heading out off the cape trolling now days sees sometimes 50 or more boats doing the same. So generally this type of pressure shuts them down pretty quickly.
Some nice tailor caught in the passage
In the bay snapper, cod, cobia and some big parrot getting caught. Sandcrabs, rock crabs and cuttlefish heads the best bait for the big parrot. Pilchards, flesh baits and livies for the cobia, snapper, and cod. Hopefully, over the next few weeks, the tuna and mackerel show up in big numbers out in the bay.
Always check any new fishing regulations or rule changes as you don’t want to get caught out with a fine. So as the weather starts to warm up get the crab pots and trolling gear ready and head out and enjoy the passage and Moreton Bay marine park.” And remember don’t destroy what you come to enjoy”.
Tags: History. D Day. War. Military. Historical. WW2. WW1
The eleventh HOUR…..of the eleventh DAY…..of the eleventh MONTH…..we pause to remember those who gave their lives in War.
Men and women from all over Australia fought on distant shores in two world wars, to defend our freedom. This month’s History Page tells of those from Bribie Island and surrounds who “Answered the Call”. Two Bronze Plaques were unveiled in 2015 and for this “Remembrance Day” a commemorative book will be launched.
Featured Image(above): ANZAC Memorial with Wreaths
FIRST WORLD WAR 1914-18
For Australia, the First World War remains the costliest conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From an Australian population of fewer than 5 million, over 416,000 men enlisted, of whom more than 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. Most remarkable, is that when Bribie Island and surrounds had a population of less than 50 people,18 men “Answered the Call”.
Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when Britain and Germany went to war on 4 August 1914. The Australian Government pledged full support for Britain. The outbreak of war was greeted in Australia, as in many other places, with great enthusiasm. On 25 April 1915 members of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) landed on Gallipoli in Turkey with troops from New Zealand, Britain, and France.
This began a campaign that ended with an evacuation of allied troops beginning in December 1915. The Middle East campaign began in 1916 with Australian troops taking part in the defence of the Suez Canal and the allied re-conquest of the Sinai Desert. Throughout 1916 and 1917 losses on the Western Front were heavy and gains were small. In 1918 Australians took part in a series of decisive advances until Germany surrendered on 11 November 1918.
Remembrance Day this year is the 100th anniversary of that event.
ANZAC Unveiling event
BRIBIE MEN IN WORLD WAR 1
In 1914 the resident population of Bribie Island and surrounds was less than 50 people, so it is remarkable that 18 men “Answered the Call” to fight in the War to end all Wars. The enlistees had a variety of backgrounds. There were fishermen, labourers, tradesmen and farmers, a bullock driver and a horse breaker. They all enlisted with the enthusiasm shown by so many at the outbreak of hostilities in both world wars. Some of their names and families are still around us today in streets names and places such as Campbell, Bishop, Dux, Freeman, and Gollagher, to name a few.
All but 3 of the 18 returned after the War, with 2 killed in action and one died of wounds. From the small community of families, 3 were Freemans, 3 were Mills and 3 were Storr. Harold Francis STORR was allocated to 15th Australian Infantry Battalion and embarked from Melbourne on 22 December 1914 on board A40 Ceramic. After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion arrived in Egypt in February 1915. They landed with the 4th Brigade at ANZAC late in the afternoon of 25 April 1915.
Harold STORR was wounded on 31 May 1915, admitted to hospital and returned to his unit 12 October 1915. He remained with the battalion and served on the Western Front before returning to Australia in October 1918. George Leslie GOLLAGHER, a bullock driver from Toorbul enlisted on 2 November 1916, at the age of 22 years and was allocated to 31 Australian Infantry Battalion and served on the Western Front. George left Australia on 23 December 1916 for France. In early 1917, the German Army withdrew to the Hindenburg Line allowing the British front to advance. His Battalion participated in follow-up operations and later played a major role at Polygon.
SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-45
As part of the British Empire, Australia was among the first nations to declare war on Nazi Germany. Between 1939 and 1945 nearly one million Australian men and women served in campaigns against across Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Pacific. Over 993,000 Australians served in the armed forces and 27,000 died or were killed in action , 23,500 were wounded, and 30,500 were taken prisoner. Australia sent Royal Australian Air Force aircrews and a number of Royal Australian Navy ships to fight for Britain.
During the years 1939-1941, Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen fought the Germans, Italians and Vichy French in Europe, Egypt, Libya, Syria, the Lebanon, Greece, Crete and the Mediterranean. Japan carried out pre-emptive strike on the US Naval Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbour in December 1941. The United States declared war on Japan and also Germany and Italy. Japan followed up their success at Pearl Harbour a series of victories, resulting in the occupation of most of south-east Asia and large areas of the Pacific by the end of March 1942.
Reg Campbell works on Koopa
M.A.Bishop
G.L.Gollagher
E.H Freeman
Singapore fell in February, with the loss of an entire Australian division. After the bombing of Darwin that same month, all RAN ships in the Mediterranean theatre returned to defend Australia. In response to the heightened threat, Australia also expanded the army and air force to mount a total war effort at home. In March 1942, Japan’s southward advance began to lose strength, easing fears of an imminent invasion of Australia.
The threat of invasion receded further as the Allies won a series of decisive battles in the Coral Sea, at Midway, the Kokoda Track, and at Milne Bay and Buna. Nurses had gone overseas with the AIF in 1940. However, during the early years of the war women were generally unable to make a significant contribution to the war effort in any official capacity. Labour shortages forced the government to allow women to take a more active role in war work and to establish the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF).
At the same time, the navy also began employing female telegraphists, a breakthrough that eventually led to the establishment of the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) in 1942. The Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) was established in October 1941, with the aim of releasing men from certain military duties in base units in Australia for assignment with fighting units overseas.
Outside the armed services, the Women’s Land Army (WLA) was established to encourage women to work in rural industries. Other women in urban areas took up employment in industries, such as munitions production. On 7 May 1945 the German High Command authorised the signing of an unconditional surrender on all fronts: the war in Europe was over.. On the 14 August 1945 Japan accepted the Allied demand for unconditional surrender. For Australians, it meant that the Second World War was finally over.
AAMWS Women’s Service Sign
BRIBIE MEN & WOMEN IN WORLD WAR 2
We have identified 19 people from Bribie and surrounds who served in World War 2. 12 from Bribie Island, 5 from Toorbul and 2 from Donnybrook. Three were women namely Kathleen Boothe. Mary Durvall and Edith Grant. Some names are still reflected in local families and remembered in street and place names such as Crouch, Freeman and Shields. Of the 19 people most went into the Army, with two in RAAF and one in Navy.
Two were taken Prison of War, but all 19 returned after the war. George Henry BOOTHE had already enlisted for service in World War One in 1916. He served in France and was discharged September 1919. He was living at Toorbul when he enlisted for World War Two in May 1940 at the age of 56 years. He was allocated to No1 Garrison Battalion in Brisbane responsible for the maintenance and administration of a home base. He was discharged on 31 October 1944. Kathleen Violet BOOTHE was George’s daughter who also served.
She was living at home in Toorbul when she enlisted in December 1942, aged 18 years. She served in the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service (AAMWS) in Brisbane and was discharged in February 1944. AAMWS later became the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps. John Allan DUKE was a farmhand living at “Creeklands” when he enlisted and served in 2/15 Australian Infantry Battalion in the Middle East and was a “Rat of Tobruk”. After his discharge in 1945 he returned to Toorbul, married and had a family and died in August 1975.
Troops depart on Commonwealth
John Duke
COMMEMORATIVE BOOK LAUNCH – FRIDAY 30TH OCTOBER
The Bribie Island Historical Society has received funds from the Queensland Anzac Centenary Spirit of Service Grants programme, for the “Digitisation of a publication focusing on the 37 local enlistees from the First and Second World Wars, as represented on the Bongaree recognition plaques dedicated in 2015”.
This article has touched on just a few of the enlistees whose stories are told in a new book to be launched at the Bribie Island Seaside Museum on Friday 30th November 2018 at 10;15am, and followed by morning tea. Descendants and families of several of these man and women will be at the book launch, and the general public are most welcome. For catering purposes please notify the museum by phone 3408 0007 or email [email protected] or Historical society at [email protected].
Tags: Breast Cancer Community event. Bribie Island
As part of the celebrations marking the twentieth year since Michelle Hanton founded the Dragons Abreast movement in Australia, the 2018 Dragons Abreast Festival was held at Sydney’s Darling Harbour recently and four members of Dragons Abreast Bribie Island travelled to the New South Wales Capital to join in the event.
Featured Image(above): At Darling Harbour for the twenty year anniversary
Sue Youngberry, Sue Bowen, Mary McGrath and club president Leonie Dyer spent the weekend enjoying the Corporate and Community Challenge which is regarded as the major annual fundraiser for the organisation. When I had the opportunity to chat with Leonie after her return, she explained why the event is so important. ‘Dragons Abreast Australia does not receive any government funding,’ said Leonie.
‘The continued success of the fundraiser is essential for DAA as a registered charity to be able to encourage fitness, fun and camaraderie among the members of our thirty-two groups across Australia,’ she told me. On a more local note, on October 26th, founder Michelle Hanton hosted a morning tea at the Bribie Waterways Motel and this gave other Dragons Abreast members the opportunity to celebrate twenty years of breast cancer advocacy and awareness.
Michelle Hanton with Dragons Abreast Bribie Island founding members Dawn Worley and Lexie Warren at the celebratory morning tea
Dragons Abreast is a leader in the movement for people affected by breast cancer and their mission is to encourage wellness, fitness, fun and camaraderie for breast cancer survivors by way of dragon boating. Having commenced ten years ago, Dragons Abreast Bribie Island has grown to be a strong club and as well as participating in regular paddling sessions on Pumicestone Passage, the members all take the time to support each other.
In a period that seems to be a busy time for the club, there will be a “come and try” day on November 26th and Leonie has pointed out that this is the opportunity for breast cancer survivors and their supporters to come along and see if the sport is right for them. ‘Dragon boating offers the chance to get fit, make new friends and have fun,’ Leonie remarked. ‘Besides all that, the club can just be enjoyed for the social aspect and all our members say that it is such a big part of their lives,’ she added.
Anyone who would like to check out Dragon Boating should attend the ‘come and try” day which will be held from 9 am on the foreshore in front of Crest Park, just to the north of the Bribie VMR building. Leonie can be contacted on 0418 782 334 for further details and, for all you garage sale enthusiasts, the club is holding a fundraiser garage sale at 40 Boronia Street in Bellara on November 11th and as well as there being something for everyone amongst the amazing range of items for sale, those who are feeling peckish can take advantage of the sausage sizzle.
The first Saturday in October saw the postponed show from the Sunday before, which was rained out. The organisers were expecting a low key affair due to it’s being on a different day. It was a fantastic afternoon for all concerned, performers and audience alike. A large crowd saw acts such as Frilly, a duo and Saul Calikes from Cool Coda perform. Enough cannot be said about Matterson Knyvett who operated the sound all day.
When each act is using different instruments, perform differing genres of music and volumes, a great sound technician is a great asset. Erin May will be launching their CD at Blueys the first Saturday in December. More details to follow. Looking forward to hearing the new line up in the relatively new band “Black Adder”. Locals Only finally happened on the day it was supposed to. It had been cancelled two months running before a special Saturday show so it was great to be back to normal.
The show promised to be a special one and the weather left us alone. Some of the highlights of the day were a beautiful duo called “Dreadfully Bald” who’ve had a couple of hiccups in getting to Blueys for the day over the past couple of months. And it was really worth the wait. Another duo named “Frolly” featuring Amanda Jones and Frank Sover were really impressive both duos taking out the performers of the day prize. Big shout out to Dan Burns who’s taken to his hosting duties very well.
One of the many highlights of the day was the appearance of Sam Fall, one of the Friday night popular performers,who brought her sister, Jackie and our old mate Grant Daniel to do a quick set. These folks are very entertaining and have assured us that they will come back to grace the Locals stage next month.
Sam wanted to have a chance to perform with the backing band but time got away and there was not much of a chance to organise a couple of songs. The next Show will be held on the 25th November beginning at 1pm. There will be a few new artists who will be performing including a new young band, a shy son of an old face from Locals and Dreadfully Bald. Blueys humbly requests that patrons be mindful of our neighbours when leaving the venue to continue to present live Local music. Check the Blueys websites for other functions.
Upcoming Events
16th November. Grant Daniel. Not to be missed.! 5 pm – 9 pm.
In general terms, how successful and popular a project is regarded by the public will usually be gauged by the length of time that its success lasts and whether or not there is an opportunity for it to either continue or return in a re-invented form.
With this in mind, one can only regard the upcoming eighth annual exhibition by the thirteen members of the Art Tarts as an accurate indicate indication of just how much talent these artists have. Art Tarts spokesperson Bev Porter told me that the exhibition in the Mathew Flinders Gallery at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre will be a celebration of creativity.
‘It brings together thirteen very talented artists who work with a diverse variety of mediums,’ said Bev. ‘These include painting, drawing, ceramics dichroic glass and slumped glass as well as stained glass, mosaics, jewellery, gumleaf art and china painting,’ she explained. The exhibition will be on display from November 13th until November 25th those who wish will have an opportunity to meet the artists from 6.30 pm until 8 pm on the first evening. As has been the case at past Art Tarts Exhibitions, works by the participating artists will be raffled to support the Dragons Abreast movement.
The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre are at 191 Sunderland Drive in Banksia Beach and anyone who would like to find out more about the Art Tarts Exhibition or get information about what the centre has to offer can either pay them a visit or call 3408 9288.
As what is arguably one of the most proactive local organisations which are involved in providing assistance to those in the community who are struggling, the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre is always in need of community support by way of donations to supplement the meagre funding that it receives from government and, in order to help in this regard, the Bribie Island Croquet Club are holding a Fun Day Fundraiser.
The event will be held on November at the club’s premises on Sunderland Drive in Banksia Beach and committee member Jan Rees has told me that it will be a day for the entire community to enjoy. ‘Everyone is welcome to come along and they don’t have to have any prior experience at croquet, said Jan.
‘In the morning, beginning at 10 am, there will be a variety of fun social events which everyone can be a part of and this will be followed by a sausage sizzle. After lunch, we will be spending a bit of time coaching the teams which enter the annual Community Club Challenge before play begins,’ she added. Jan pointed out that the club would like as many businesses, clubs and other organisations that wish to enter a four-person team in the challenge and she explained that as well as having their name placed on the Croquet Mallet Trophy for 2018, the winners will receive a small individual trophy.
She told me that all equipment will be provided and the only stipulation is that players must wear covered footwear. Those who come along will have the opportunity to pick up a bargain at the “Make It, Bake It, Grow It, Sew It” stall and to win a prize in one of the raffles. Donations of items for either the stall or the raffles would be very much appreciated and all funds raised on the day from the stall, raffles and Challenge entry fees will be donated to the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre.
Further information about the day can be obtained by calling either Jan Rees on 0437 008 042 or Lyn Beh on 0419 404 166.
Tags: Bribie Island Community Arts Centre – Craft Gallery. Arts and Crafts. Moreton Bay. Brisbane
TURN RIGHT AT THE DESK
I know that this will sound as if I need to pay a visit to Specsavers but. After being a more than a regular visitor to the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre over the last two years, I have only recently become aware of an area at the centre that had previously escaped my attention, and that is the room at the end of the hallway to the right of the reception desk.
Following my discovery, I have been thinking about the fact that there are probably many others who, when visiting the centre, always head left from reception to enter the Mathew Flinders Gallery and if they do go to the right, it is only into the adjoining display area. I have discovered that the hallway off that display area leads to a room that is a virtual treasure trove of wonderful handmade craft items, paintings, pottery and even baby clothes.
This craft gallery is usually cared for by centre volunteer Carol Smedley with a bit of help from others and she told me that all the items on display are the work of Art Society members and are brought there to be sold. She said that there are times when some are used to top up the display in the gift shop. ‘With Christmas approaching, we will definitely be drawing from here for our display,’ said Carol.
For anyone who has not seen the diverse range of beautiful items in this area of the centre, my advice is that you take the opportunity to check them out with a view to picking up a couple of Christmas gifts. The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre is on Sunderland Drive at Banksia Beach and is open each day except Monday from 10 am. To find out more about what the centre has to offer or becoming a volunteer, either pay them a visit or call 3408 9288.
No matter which way that you look at it, if someone tells you that they are involved in a sport that requires them to use a paddle, it is natural to presume that whatever that sport is, it must involve either some type of watercraft, be it either canoe kayak or paddleboard. However, if that person just happens to be either Harry or Peter Fielding, the sport that is being referred to is most likely the comparatively new activity known as Pickleball. I know you just said, “what the heck is Pickleball?”
Featured Image(above): Peter and Harry Fielding with the Pickleball paddles and ball
Well, although the sport was only introduced to Australia about three years ago by the now President of the Pickleball Association of Australia, Gabi Plum, after she had been visiting her son Morgan Evans in the USA, the game was created by a group of friends in Washington way back in 1965 and now has more than three million players throughout the country. After her return to Australia, Ms Plumm quickly spread the word and there are now about 1,500 Pickleball devotees who regularly play the game at venues throughout Western Australia and the Eastern states.
As well as there being clubs in the Brisbane, there is also one at Noosa. Adele and Harry Fielding were also motivated by Pickleball during their trip to the states and since their return, have been working, along with Harry’s brother Peter, to introduce the sport to residents of the Bribie Island area. Following a few trial games with people who they knew as a way to gauge the possible interest in Pickleball, Harry and Peter are now planning open days for anyone interested to check out the new game.
The “come and try” days will be held on November 30th and December 1st at the courts behind U3A. Whilst this will not become a permanent venue, the Bribie Pickleball Club will be using these courts as a short-term location for their games. Probably the most accurate way to describe Pickleball is to call it a form of tennis which is played on something similar to a badminton court over a net that is about the same height as one on a tennis court with a plastic hollow ball with bats that are called paddles. Due to the smaller playing area, the sport does not require the player to be as strenuous as they would have to be on a tennis court and is therefore regarded as being suited to players from a young age through to those in their very senior years.
Peter told me that the sport is being played at a number of retirement villages because of its perceived benefits. ‘Pickleball covers all the exercise components that are important for seniors,’ Peter pointed out. ‘As well as the physical benefits, there is also an important mental stimulation and the social aspect to consider,’ he said. As a rather low impact form of sport, Pickleball rules allow the player to serve underhand and, as I have previously mentioned, there is only a small area to cover on the court.
Pickleball paddles and balls
Best described as a moderate activity, the game can improve circulation and lung function as well as overall fitness and bearing in mind that health professionals claim that 150 minutes of moderate activity is needed to maintain health and prevent degeneration, Pickleball fits the bill nicely. Those who come along to the open days will be provided with the necessary equipment if they wish to join in a game and also given a few tips about the finer points by Peter and Harry.
Harry and Adele have recently attended the inaugural Australian National Pickleball Nationals where Harry picked up a medal in the men’s doubles so I reckon he knows what the game is all about. More information about Pickleball can be found at https://pickleballaus.org and those who would like to enquire about the upcoming open days are welcome to give Peter a call on 0401 780 928 or contact Harry on 0409 131 395. They can also be contacted by email to [email protected].
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The show promised to be a special one and the weather left us alone. Some of the highlights of the day were a beautiful duo called “Dreadfully Bald” who’ve had a couple of hiccups in getting to Blueys for the day over the past couple of months. And it was really worth the wait. Another duo named “Frolly” featuring Amanda Jones and Frank Sover were really impressive both duos taking out the performers of the day prize. Big shout out to Dan Burns who’s taken to his hosting duties very well.
