Home Blog Page 96

Crafty Shed needs help for the farmers

By
David Sweedman
-
0
not for profit charity brisbane bribie island

Tags: Charity. Not for profit. Organisation. Bribie Island. Brisbane. Queensland.

A CRAFTY AID FOR OUR FARMERS

As I think most of us are aware, many Australian farmers are facing one of the most significant droughts in memory and along with that, are selling off stock, going without the basics and in some instances, walking away from the property which has been in their family for decades.

This situation has prompted members of many communities to raise funds which can then be used to provide some relief to our country cousins and this includes local organisations, one of which is the Ningi based Crafty Shed. The Crafty Shed was founded twelve years ago and is home to a variety of groups, the most pro-active being the quilting group, Pumicestone Piecers. There also the Crafter Critters who practice card making, embroidery and crocheting and there is also some who are accomplished artists.

As a contribution to the Farm aid appeal, Crafty Shed President Beryl Higgins recently presented a $2,000 cheque to the Lions Club of Sandstone Point and that money will go directly to those who need it. Eager to contribute more to the appeal, Crafty Shed Vice-President Stephanie Domagala, an artist of some note, has donate a painting which will be raffled at the end of October and she told me that anyone who would like a few tickets in the raffle can either call in to the Crafty Shed or give her a call on 5497 5013.

Stephanie also mentioned that the organisation which has about eighty members at present is always keen to welcome new members anyone interested can give her a call to find out more.

Other Articles

Ray of Hope South East Queensland

Strange roll cloud experienced on Bribie

By
David Sweedman
-
2

Tags: Roll clouds. Morning Glory Clouds. Weather.

Bribie Islanders and parts of the SE Queensland coast were in for a treat for all weather lovers and those with a keen eye when an extremely rare roll cloud barrelled its way over us a few days ago.

Featured Image(above): Morning Glory clouds over northern Australia (Source: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090824.html)

These rare cloud formations come in a few variations and can be caused by various weather conditions, such as wind changes, where cool air meets warm air and interact causing an uplift of cloud along the leading edge of the wind change.  They can also cause air turbulence for planes.

A rare type of this cloud is called “The Morning Glory” and can be seen around the world, at particular times of the year. In parts of Northern Australia and east coastal parts, it can be seen at regular intervals.

These cloud formations often look like they are travelling at high speed, have a rolling motion and can stretch from horizon to horizon.  They have reported speeds of over 60 km an hour and sometimes are accompanied by a strong wind gust as the wind change moves up the coast or across the area.

This fascinating footage was captured by a Bribie Island resident

Another fantastic shot of the double roll cloud surging north over Bribie Island a couple of hours ago by Luke O’Dell as the cooler change pushes up the coast(Ken)

Posted by South Brisbane Storms on Friday, 26 October 2018

I captured it as it moved up the coast over Bribie Island

This was one captured in the United States.

 

BRIBIE SIMPLY HEALTHY – Can we stop money – dictating lives?

By
David Sweedman
-
0
money health and wellbeing

Tags: Health and wellbeing. Money affects health. Lifestyle

Most of us worry about money every day; most of our stress is around money. We often feel hopeless and beaten by the economic structure. It doesn’t matter how hard we work, we don’t seem to go anywhere. The little money we earn busy paying the bills, paying rent or mortgages and credit card debts. For our struggle banks are making a lot of money with our hard earned money. I dare to call this is a modern slavery. We are so conditioned about MONEY, we can’t imagine living without it. What if there is no money? I found a very interesting movement called ‘UBUNTU’ it began in South Africa.

At the Nelson Mandela’s memorial service Obama talked about UBUNTU, which he believes captures Mandela’s idea. ‘Oneness of humanity, we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves by sharing ourselves with others and caring for those around us’. About two hundred years ago America’s third president Thomas Jefferson once said “Banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property.

The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs to.” UBUNTU Communities where everyone contributes their natural talents or skills for the benefits of the community. It began from a small town of around 5000 people who wanted to participate in their own salvation, their own rescue mission by contributing three hours a week.

Use the special skills and talents of the people. Then develop the sound business plan to start a variety of community projects to match the skills and individual potential. These businesses will belong to participants. Analyse how much it needs to consume among the community then produce at least three times as much. Everything people produce is distributed to everyone who participates and the other 2/3 are sold on open markets. This income will go to the investors and will be used to run and expand the organisation. There is also a great community multi-level marketing company called ATOMY recently opened in Australia.

This company also thrives with a mass economic system, offering prestige products to its members at the lowest price possible. Allowing the masses to enjoy quality products and improve their life by sharing an income from product sales through a generous commission scheme for the members. The company growth is beyond our imagination. This company started very small in Korea in 2009 and less than 10 years the company expanded to the USA, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippine, Malaysia Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, Brazil, Russia, India, and Colombia.

The most famous and popular product Atomy is Hemohim, which designed to improve cancer patients among their ever-popular skincare products. The skincare sets were sold out within a month after opening the company in Australia. Please come and experience a free facial treatment from the shop that you will fall in love with. By using and sharing experiences these wonderful products, we can eventually be free of the financial burden. I am currently interested in forming a community organic garden as a part of UBUNTU movement; if anyone can help and would like to participate please let us know.

Other Articles

Health – LIVING WITH CHRONIC PAIN

School Chaplains provide social, emotional and spiritual support in schools

By
David Sweedman
-
0

In our school community, there are a number of necessary roles which are undertaken by dedicated people and, as well as those who fill the roles of teachers, special education teachers, administration staff and maintenance people, there is someone who has taken on the task of being available to all at the school when needed and that is the School Chaplain.

Featured Image(above): Pastor Ray introduced Chaplains Ken Piva, Wendy Nelson and Rebecca Andrews

School Chaplains have been providing social, emotional and spiritual support in schools for more than twenty-six years and their roles include promoting positive spirituality in all that they do as well as providing opportunities for students, staff and families to take advantage of the spiritual strengths, assets and resources available to them. Scripture Union Queensland (SU QLD) is the major provider of School chaplains and have placed chaplains in sixty-three per cent of all Queensland state primary schools and eighty-eight per cent of all Queensland state high schools with all three Bribie Island schools being included in those statistics.

Chaplaincy at Bribie Island schools is funded through a combination of a Federal Government grant and donations from community organisations as well as fundraising which is organised by the Local Chaplaincy Committee (LCC) and the most recent of these events was the 2018 Annual Chaplaincy Breakfast at the Bribie RSL on September 7th. A large crowd attended the event which was opened at 6.30 am by MC Pastor Ray Airosa who is the LCC Chairman and Bribie Island Baptist Church Pastor.

Auctioneer Barry France kept the bids rolling in with help from Councillor Savige

After thanking everyone for coming along, Pastor Ray introduced Division One Councillor Brooke Savige who welcomed the distinguished guests and also gave the apologies of those who were unable to attend. Councillor Savige also thanked all the local businesses that have supported the event through their donations and she pointed out that this support happens because they believe in chaplaincy and also believe in our young people. Prior to the hungry crowd beginning to eat breakfast, Pastor Ray said grace and then introduced the special guest speaker, Adam James.

MC Pastor Ray Airosa welcomed Division One Councillor Brooke Savige to the stage

Adam is a seasoned community worker who started a café called “A Cup From Above” in 2012 with the idea of training those who were struggling with significant issues to become baristas and consequently find employment. During his talk, Adam explained that it was always about more than the coffee and before long, the café accidentally became a drop-in centre for people in extreme crisis situations. ‘People who were domestic violence victims, drug dealers and fugitives from the law all came to the café to see the “Café Chaplain” and try to turn their life around,’ said Adam.

Six years on from opening, the café served its final cup of coffee and now Adam and his team continue to serve by supporting individuals through the most extreme crisis situations within our community. Adam went on to provide examples of how the school chaplains make such an incredible difference within the community and also mentioned some of the situations which he had faced during his time as a community worker.

Guest speaker Adam James gave some examples of how the chaplains work within the school community

As I have found to be the case whenever someone is giving a talk, whilst they pass on varying amounts of interesting information, there is always one thing that stands out, and in this instance, it was when Adam told the audience that “Listening Saves Lives.” Following the talk by Adam James, Pastor Ray welcomed the Bribie Island School Chaplains, Mr Ken Piva (Bribie Island State Primary School), Ms Rebecca Andrews (Bribie Island State High School) and Ms Wendy Nelson (Banksia Beach State Primary School) to the stage and they received a strong round of applause for their dedicated efforts. The next item on the morning’s agenda was the auction of numerous items which had been donated by supporting businesses and private community members.

These included a framed Broncos jersey, a gift voucher for Savige’s Seafood, a signed swim cap which had belonged to gold medal-winning swimmer, Bribie’s own Lakeisha Patterson. The bidding was strong for all items and auctioneer Barry France seemed to always to rake in a few extra bids which increased the total that was raised from the auction. The final part of the program was the drawing of the raffles and quite a few people were the lucky winners of a range of items before Pastor Ray closed the fundraiser by thanking all who attended and made the event such a success.

Other Articles

Would you like to be a volunteer?

Would you like to be a volunteer?

By
David Sweedman
-
0
volunteers bribie island

A local politician once made the comment to me that this island survives because of its volunteers and as far as I’m concerned, never a truer word was spoken. Over the time that I have been writing articles for both The Mini Bribie Islander and The Bribie Islander, I have been privileged to tell the story of so many volunteers within the local community who give freely of their time to improve the life of others and whilst talking to these dedicated people, I have gained an insight into just what it is that drives them when they commit to whatever task is required without the benefit of any financial reward or in many instances, any recognition for their efforts.

Whilst each person who becomes a volunteer has their own specific reasons for doing so, they all share a willingness to undertake a service and a belief that they are capable of inciting change and making progress. In most situations, volunteering means working side by side with others and this connects them to other human beings as they are working toward a common goal.

Volunteers have their own skill set and for someone to gain a sense of satisfaction from what they offer, it is a wise idea to volunteer in a position that makes use of those skills, meaning that the cause they are working for also receives the most benefit as well. All of the wonderful volunteers who I have talked to tell me that they always feel good when they can put a smile on someone’s face and in my opinion, that is the true meaning of making a difference.

Within our community, there are many organisations that continue to operate due to the commitment of volunteers and anyone who is thinking about dedicating some of their time to help the community should perhaps contact one of the organisations listed below. I should point out that this list does not mention all the opportunities for volunteering.

  • The Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre Ph 3408 8440,
  • Wallum Action Group Community Nursery Ph 0407 699 953,
  • Bribie Island Community Arts Centre Ph 3408 9288,
  • Bribie Island and District Community Appeal Ph 0409 583 928,
  • Lions Club of Sandstone Point Ph 0427 033 365.

As I have said, that is not even close to being a complete list of organisations who support the community but is an indication of places which need volunteers. Remember, it is important to devote your time to doing something that you enjoy, therefore ensuring that all involved receive the most benefit. If anyone would like to know about other volunteering opportunities, they are welcome to give me a call on 0448 932 484.

Other Articles

Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre – The Soup is too good

Local Ambulance Community

By
David Sweedman
-
0
Local ambulance commitee

Just when I thought that I knew all of the many organisations that are involved with the community, I had a call from the President of a group which she said is the LAC. And obviously, my response was to ask what those letters stood for. Well, for those of you who don’t know, LAC stands for Local Ambulance Community and President Rae Guyder was calling to tell me that people from that committee would be running a public awareness stand in the Bongaree shopping centre as part of Ambulance Week.

She mentioned that in the past the committee has been a part of open days at the Queensland Ambulance Stations which are regarded as a way to engage with the community during Ambulance Week but they decided to do something a little different this year. Rae explained that whilst the LAC is affiliated with the QAS, they are their own entity and have their own finances.

‘The community is very good to us,’ Rae told me. The awareness stand was manned at the centre on both the Thursday and Saturday of Ambulance week and LAC volunteers were kept busy explaining about what they do and how they provide support to QAS which includes fundraising to purchase extra equipment for paramedics and also raising awareness through community engagement.

There was a large range of informative brochures available which provided the public with information about CPR and other courses as well as an insight into what the QAS does. Our LAC fills a diverse role within the community and this includes providing CPR courses and teaching first aid to the children, mainly through visits to Guide and Scout meetings.

Rae remarked that teaching people about what they should do while waiting for paramedics is essential. ‘There have been many instances when people’s lives have been saved because someone had that knowledge,’ said Rae. Joining the volunteers on the stand was Bribie Island Station Acting OIC Jarred Thorne who praised the work done by the ten volunteers of the Local Ambulance Committee.

You can find out more about The Local Ambulance Committee by visiting https://www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/volunteers.html

Other Articles

The Bribie Island District Neighbourhood Center Volunteers

CRIME REPORT – Sept 2018

By
David Sweedman
-
0
crime bribie island

On Friday 28th September, Police officers attended remembrance services throughout the region to pay tribute too members who have lost their lives in the course of duty. Police attended to a number of domestic violence matters during the month, some of which resulted in applications being made to the court and others resulted in breaches of current orders. If you or someone you know is living with domestic violence, help is available. In an emergency call the police on triple zero (000).

  • DVConnect Womensline. Phone: 1800 811 811 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
  • DVConnect Mensline. Phone: 1800 600 636 (9am to midnight, 7 days a week)
  • Kids Helpline. Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24 hours, 7 days per week)
  • Lifeline. Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hour Crisis Counselling Line)

Traffic enforcement continued to be regular part of station activities during the month, with a number of infringement notices issued, for a range of offences and a number of Roadside Breath Tests were conducted. Other incidents police attended include:

Stealing of a Vehicle. An unknown person stole an Audi Hatchback from outside a residence in Marina Boulevard, Banksia Beach. The complainant believes that the keys to the vehicle had been left near the front door of the residence and offenders have stolen the keys in order to steal the vehicle.

Break and Enter. An unknown person gained entry to a garage by forcing open the garage door. No property was stolen and the residents were home and disturbed a man leaving the garage area.

Unknown offenders have gained entry to a Volkswagen Golf which was parked outside a residence in Whitehaven Place, Banksia Beach. The vehicle may have been left unlocked. No property was stolen.

Unknown persons have stolen front and rear registration plates from a Toyota Yaris parked outside a residence in Arcadia Avenue, Woorim. Break and Enter.

Unknown persons have gained entry to a house on Endeavour Drive Banksia Beach by forcing a security screen door. They have searched the residence however no property was stolen.

Several people were arrested and charged during the month with a range of offences including:

A 28-year-old Narangba woman has been charged with drug-related matters and unauthorised dealing with shop goods.

Police intercepted a vehicle at the Bribie Island Shopping Centre, Fortune Avenue, Bongaree at about 12.45pm September 3. Drugs and other items were located as a result of a search of the vehicle. The driver was detained and taken to Caboolture Hospital for a blood test. Police are awaiting the results of the blood test. The women will appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court on October 9.

At about 11pm September 3 Police intercepted a Holden Commodore Sedan with 5 occupants on Arcadia Avenue, Woorim for a Random Breath Test. A search of the vehicle was conducted and as a result the driver, a 20-year-old Woorim man was charged with driving an unregistered vehicle, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing utensils and possession of a knife. He will appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court

A 34-year-old Caboolture man was charged with disqualified driving and driving with 0.021 per cent BAC, after being located by police driving a Mitsubishi Triton on Toorbul Street, Bongaree at about 3pm September 4. The man will appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court

On September 5 police were called to Bribie Pines Island at a lifestyle resort on Cotterill Avenue, Bongaree. Overnight there had been a number of break and enters, vehicles entered, and property stolen. Police conducted inquiries and established that stolen credit cards had been used at locations on Bribie Island. Investigations lead to the arrest of two men who were charged with a number of offences relating to this incident.

An 18-year-old Bribie Island man has been charged with possession of a dangerous drug, possession of a drug utensil and possession of a knife, and a 21-year -old Banksia Beach man was charged with possession of a drug utensil. The men were located together by police on Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach. Both man will appear in Caboolture Magistrates Court

A 41-year-old Bongaree man has been charged with driving without a licence. He was intercepted by police on Eucalypt Street, Bellara driving an Iveco Truck. He will appear in Caboolture Magistrates Court

A 27-year-old Narangba man has been charged with possession of a dangerous drug and utensils. The man was intercepted by police for an RBT on Hornsby Road, Bellara when the drugs were located. The man will appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court October 9.

A 48-year-old Geebung man has been charged with possession of a dangerous drug. He was located by police on Bongaree Avenue, Bongaree. The man will appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court 9 October.

A 43-year-old Bellara man has been charged with unlicensed driving. The man was intercepted by police driving on Jabiru Street, Bellara. The man will appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court October 9.

A 36-year-old Godwin Beach woman has been charged with possession of a dangerous drug and utensil.

At 4pm September 8 police attended an address at Godwin Beach in search of a wanted person, while at the residence making inquiries about the wanted person the drugs and utensil were located. The woman will appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court October 11.

A 45-year-old Sandstone Point man has been charged with driving under the influence after recording a Breath Alcohol Concentration of 0.277 per cent. Police received calls from concerned members of the public in relation to the driving behaviour of the man. Police attended Hornsby Road, Bribie Island where the man was located and submitted to a Roadside Breath Test. The man will appear in Caboolture Magistrates Court

A 44-year-old Godwin Beach man has been charged with producing dangerous drugs and possessing dangerous drugs. Police executed a search warrant at an address in Godwin Beach and located a quantity of drugs. The man will appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court October 11.

A 39-year-old Bongaree man has been charged with contravening a domestic violence order. The man was located by police in Bongaree after an incident which occurred at 7pm September 15. The man will appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court October 18.

An 18-year-old man has been charged with wilful damage and graffiti as a result of investigation into a report of offenders spray painting graffiti on the Bribie Island Bridge on September 15 at about 8.30pm. The man will appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court October 4.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day. You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.

Other Articles

CRIME REPORT Aug 2018

BRIBIE ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB – Sept 2018

By
David Sweedman
-
0
Photography Club. Photos. Pictures. Bribie Island. Brisbane. Queensland

Tags: Photography Club. Photos. Pictures. Bribie Island. Brisbane. Queensland

The theme for the month was “Scapes” and was won by Marj Webber with a photo of a threatening storm looming over the Pumicestone Passage. “Dark Hour on Pumicestone Passage” was given a mark of 10-10 and was chosen as the Photo of the Month. Marj Webber also won the Colour Print section with a photo of a Lemon Migrant Butterfly which was taken on Bribie Island. Beth Mottershead entered a charming photo of mischievous Limas which was taken on our location shoot at Australia Zoo and won first place in the PI Mono section.

Featured image(above): Photo of the month

Marilyn Western was the winner of the Mono Print category with “Threatening Clouds”. Alain Chardon with an extraordinary shot of a pelican in profile was the winner of the Open Colour PI section. Our visiting judge was John North from Holland Park who critiqued all the submitted images and gave us some useful tips on photography techniques and composition. He also showed us a short slideshow of some of his competition images. A slideshow of images taken by members at our Location Shoot at Australia Zoo was presented on our large TV screen. The night was concluded by the usual supper and discussion.

Our location shoot for the month was at Bibimulya Wetlands. It was a beautiful, sunny day with lots of birdlife, some wildflowers in flower and peaceful water scenes to photograph. Marj and Ron conducted a short exercise in photographing action shots for those who wished to participate. All joined in a yummy morning tea at the bakery after the outing. Several of our members have been attending photography classes at U3A conducted by Gail Goodair on technical aspects and Adrian Lowe on photography concepts.

These classes have proved beneficial to pupils who are gaining more knowledge from their participation. The Bribie Island Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 7 pm in the boardroom at the back of the Arts Centre on Sunderland Drive. New members are always welcome. The first two meetings are free. If you wish to come along ring Gordon at 3408 2649 or Gail at 3408 9850.

Other Articles

Bribie Island Photography Club

Laugh Riot – Jokes, humour and more jokes

By
David Sweedman
-
0
jokes humour funny

Tags: Funny jokes. Humour.

A woman went to the emergency room, where she was seen by a young new doctor. After about 3 minutes in the examination room, the doctor told her she was pregnant. She burst out of the room and ran down the corridor screaming. An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was.

After listening to her story, he calmed her down and sat her in another room. Then, the doctor marched down the hallway to the first doctor’s room. “What the hell’s wrong with you?” he demanded. “This woman is 68 years old, she has two grown children and several grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?!!”

The new doctor continued to write on his clipboard and without looking up said. . . “Does she still have the hiccups?”

Jokes and Humour
Jokes and Humour

 

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighbouring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur’s youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if, after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.

The question?… What do women really want? Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch’s proposition to have an answer by year’s end. He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer.

Many people advised him to consult the old ugly woman, for only she would have the answer. But the price would be high, as the woman was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged. The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the old woman. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first. The old ugly woman wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur’s closest friend! Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc.

He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life. He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden; but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur’s life and the preservation of the Round Table. Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the woman answered Arthur’s question thus: What a woman really wants, she answered….is to be in charge of her own life.

Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the woman had uttered a great truth and that Arthur’s life would be spared. And so it was, the neighbouring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the ugly woman had a wonderful wedding. The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed.

The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened. The young beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared ugly, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half. Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day….or night? Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old ugly woman? Or, would he prefer having a hideous woman during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous intimate moments? What would YOU do? What Lancelot chose is below.

BUT….make YOUR choice before you scroll down below. OKAY? Noble Lancelot said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself. Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life. Now….what is the moral to this story? The moral is….. If you don’t let a woman have her own way…. Things are going to get ugly…

Other Articles

Funny Jokes

Mad Poets Society – Poems, Rhymes and Riddles

By
David Sweedman
-
0
Poems. Riddles. Rhymes. Lyrics. Poets. Poetry

MAD MAX CAMP

They are yellow blue green and red

With big wide tyres full of tread

Tents and swags eskys and bait

Driving down North Street to Woorim Beach access gate

The weekend warriors heading down the street

The noise of their 4×4 vehicles thundering and indiscreet

They have purchased a beach permit just for the day

Or maybe a week depends on their stay Sausages bread big mac and coke

You know it’s them by the rubbish and the smoke

They do not give a toss about the destruction they cause

Loss of the turtles marine life and birds

The bush and the beach do not get respite at any time of the year

There here every weekend and in top gear

Who is in control of this mayhem? Please let us know!

It is open all season no rules just a hell hole

The locals just reckon it is a crying shame

There are no rules just Mad Max blame

Years ago the beach permit was for a year

You had to be a resident to receive one my dear

So the land had a chance to recover from the mob

The turtles could nest and the trees could evolve

Before you know it the place will be crammed

With plastic bottles and old jerry cans

If all this money that is paid for the visit

Could be put back into the beach as we new it

Educate the people who come and stay

Control the environment or there will be a day

Where the top end of Woorim Beach will be a ghetto

It will be a Mad Max Camp can you hear the bellow

The people responsible you know who you are

Just explain to your children why the beach is in a jar

The ying and yang of this poem is clear

Money cannot replace everything that is here

There must be a balance where trees and birds live

So the weekend warriors can give

They call it downtime a space with no one visits

Birds and animals need no noise do not disturb is this explicit

Reproduce replenish go forth and multiply

Turtle season does not qualify

What nature provided for them to see?

Camping under the stars in that swag or tent

Sharing that experience with family nothing to vent

Coming away with a nurtured soul

Sitting by the camp fire when it turns cold

Laying in the sun swimming at the beach

Sausages on the BBQ cricket by the sea

Memories made on that special bush camp

Can someone out there hear this chant?

Take a big look at what we will loose

Animals plants an environmental tool

Can someone out there balance the books?

Look out world it will be gone for good

By Sharmayne Kurtz

SKY

It is white and grey with bits of blue

Soft and flat and nothing to view

No trees or grass just moisture and rain

Mist and swirls of a fairy like plain

They call it heaven and there is nowhere to go

It reminds me of the ice and of snow

But it is just vapour and wind you see

The plane is flying and we are free

So peaceful and serene and no maddening crowds

We are sitting here with our head in the clouds

Just a trip through this place

Soft and peaceful and full of grace.

By Sharmayne Kurtz

Other Articles

Mad poets society – Poems, Rhymes and Riddles – August 2018

HELLY’S CELEBRITIES OF THE 20TH CENTURY – JOHN MILLS – NOT TO THE MANOR BORN

By
David Sweedman
-
0
Celebrities. Famous people. Actors John Mills

Tags: Celebrities. Famous people. Actors John Mills

It’s 1946, when two struggling young actors, with their second daughter just being christened in a Buckinghamshire village, that the couple fall as much in love with the imposing manor house next to the chapel, as they are in love with each other. Little do they suspect that nearly 40 years later, as two of Britain’s most loved celebrities, Sir John and Lady Mills, they would own that 15th century dream house of their youth, just 25 minutes from London’s theatres.

Featured Image(above): Helly with John at the manor house

And that’s where Lady Mary excels. A mixture of furnishing styles everywhere in this grand house, not just in the spacious living room, is her special trademark. Her magic is that the furniture is not just beautiful to look at, but is terribly liveable and so comfortable. You always feel you can sprawl in any chair in any room. And it suits John down to the ground. There is a childlike simplicity and frankness about this man. He is such a natural, uninhibited character. And except for the deep furrows in his face his movements and the sprite, lithe figure belie his age.

John looks like a younger man in a hurry, leading such an active life, that inactivity for him remains a dream. At the back of the two-hectare garden is an isolated seat. “That is my escape seat,” laughs John. “I wrote most of my biography here. It’s too far from the house to be called to the phone.” The irrepressible veteran of more than 120 films over an acting career of 75 years, include GOODBYE MR CHIPS, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, SCOTT OF THE ANTARCTIC, HOBSON’S CHOICE, ICE COLD IN ALEX, RYAN’S DAUGHTER, THE 39 STEPS, and SAHARA, just to name a few.

And no matter whether it’s the musical CATS or the London Old Vic stage play OF MICE AND MEN, John’s performance is always unique and so memorable that many scenes reappear before your eyes even decades later. But it’s in 1971, while the Mills’s are still living in their Richmond Hill mansion, that I first interview John, 63, for the U.K. OBSERVER, celebrating ‘40 YEARS ABOVE THE TITLE’ of the films he has made. And out of all the celebrities I meet, interview or make friends with, John Mills CBE, remains my very favourite, because even 13 years after his death, aged 97 in 2005, the genuine warmth of his personality still encompasses me today.

Celebrities. Famous people. Actors John Mills

Sir John and Lady Mary in their 15th-century dream house

Radiating a warmth and enthusiasm that captures you, he proudly shows me the colourful waistcoat he has been wearing for over three decades. His weight has not changed. The same applies to his riding gear. And I feel elated when John and Lady Mary invite me to come horse riding with them. John has just won three awards, including his first Oscar for the supporting role in RYAN’S DAUGHTER, portraying Michael, the mute village idiot. The screen’s hardy perennial enthuses, “It was like coming home after sports day at school. I was so excited. I couldn’t remember a single word I had said at the presentation. “And I didn’t realize what a difference it would make. Stage and film scripts keep flying in and I didn’t speak a single word in that film.”

But John speaks many a word as he tells what happened just before the Oscar presentation. “Why did you have to take it off my bum,” he had asked the plastic surgeon. “Well, you’re very hirsute,” was the surgeon’s reply. “You wouldn’t like to shave your finger every morning, would you? Besides, you’re an actor and wherever I take off the skin, it will always show a scar.”

Celebrities. Famous people. Actors John Mills

The doorman from a London West End club, had slammed the cab door guillotine-fashion onto his hand, as John got into the taxi, chopping off the top half of his fourth finger. With a two-hour operation, a lengthy hospital stay, and his semi-new finger, John, arm in sling, only just made it in time to collect his Hollywood Oscar. Surrounded by a household of award-winning, talented and famous females, (wife, Mary, having written 23 plays, several novels and many poems, daughters Hayley and Juliet, as well as son Jonathan, having all carved out successful acting careers for themselves,) has John ever thought it might be better if they were a little less famous, a little less talented?

He shakes his head in amazement. “Oh, no! It’s so exciting. Yes, I know. A lot of people suggested that I was upset when Haley stole the show in TIGER BAY. I’ve never been able to understand that feeling of being capable of jealousy and frustration at your own kids’ success. “It’s like rearing a highly bred stallion, seeing him come out well and then getting depressed when he wins a race.” And a very cheeky ear to ear grin lights up John’s face, teasing. “Besides, there is always that sneaking feeling in the back of your head, that they might be able to keep you one day!”

Other Articles

Helly’s celebrities of the 20th century – Princess Anne

The history of postcards

By
David Sweedman
-
0
History. Historical buildings. Bribie Island. Moreton Bay. Brisbane. Queensland. Australian.-1

Tags: History. Historical. Postcards. Deltiology

REMEMBER TO SEND A POSTCARD

This was always a regular request to someone heading off on a holiday somewhere. It is what lots of people did until about the 1970’s. Today in an era of Text, Email, Facebook and Instagram with everyone having a mobile phone camera, the thought of buying a stamp and sending a picture Postcard are as old-fashioned as Black & White TV and party line telephones. However, there is still a wonderful charm in receiving a picture Postcard from a distant place with a personal hand written message.

History. Historical. Postcards. DeltiologyThe very first commercially produced Post Cards were patented in America 157 years ago in 1861. In 1861 the new Colony of Queensland had only been proclaimed just two years earlier, people were still searching for Burke & Wills lost expedition, and of course, nobody lived on Bribie Island. The first Postcards to need a stamp, rather than being put in a stamped envelope, were Souvenir picture cards post cards produced in Austria around 1869. By 1873 the US Postal Department produced a pictorial “Postal Card” which was pre-stamped and became known as a “Penny Postcard”.

History. Historical. Postcards. Deltiology

The building of the Eiffel Tower in Paris in 1889 was a major factor in worldwide picture postcard popularity, which was followed by other early French postcards of Nude women sent around the world, which became known as “French Postcards”. Britain was initially slower than Europe in adopting the Postcard but after the Boer War, they introduced a Picture Card with a divided back, for the address and stamp on the right, and the handwritten message on the left. This provided a great opportunity for cheap and reliable messages to be sent by everyone around the world and created great souvenirs of places to be collected.

History. Historical. Postcards. DeltiologyThese postcards were indeed the emails of their day in the early 1900’s when Sydney and Melbourne had four mail deliveries to every house each day. It’s hard to believe that today. In 1908 Australian postal records show that over 40 million post cards were mailed in Australia both nationally and internationally. Pictorial Post cards from Australia with outback scenes, birds and wildlife were much in demand overseas. The period from 1900 to 1920 may have been the peak of worldwide postcard sending, which led to a hobby which is still active today, of collecting Postcards.

History. Historical. Postcards. Deltiology

The study and collection of Postcards are termed DELTIOLOGY and was a term first coined in 1945. The early 1930’s saw a new cartoon style “Saucy” postcard develop in the UK with bawdy joke caricatures and smutty “Carry On” style humour. These were mass produced at the rate of over 16 million per year and can still be seen today although the sexist humour is no longer seen as acceptable.

The years of Depression in the 1930’s followed by the Second World War in the 1940’s had a significant impact on family travel and holidays. When things returned to normal after the War the spread of new technologies was felt around the world. Aeroplanes, Telephones, Radios, TV and Cameras were just a few of things that changed world behaviours. The previous attraction and charm of a personalised Postcard slowly declined, and by the 1950’s was replaced with the unforgettable “Slide Night” to project holiday images of 35mm camera photo slides on the wall of a darkened room.

History. Historical. Postcards. DeltiologyWho can forget those long evenings …….and the subsequent “Slide Burning Nights” of the 1970’s when each photo showed would be voted by the viewers to be either kept…….. or be thrown in the fire !! Many of us still have boxes of old colour slides that may never see the light of day again. This is probably being repeated with today’s generation who have thousands of photos they carry on their mobile phone, which are rarely seen. However, in today’s world, a personal and private photo of anything or anyone, anywhere, can be instantly sent to friends and family worldwide.

History. Historical. Postcards. DeltiologySo what? It is certainly not the same as receiving a hand written message on a picture post card in your letter box weeks after somebody has thought about you. The Bribie Island Historical Society has a large collection of Bribie Island Postcards spanning more than 100 years. There are two opportunities to see some of these Postcard views of Bribie, which reveal the fascinating ways in which this island has developed and changed over the years. A public presentation of “100 Years of Bribie Postcards” will be given at U3A on Friday 19th October at 1 pm.

History. Historical. Postcards. DeltiologySome other postcards will be shown in a Bribie History presentation at the Bribie Library on Tuesday 30th October at 2 pm. You need to book at U3A or the Library for both of these presentations. (See Poster) If you should have any interesting old postcards to share with the Historical Society you can contact us on [email protected] or view numerous articles and photos on our blog site http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com

Other Articles

History – EARLY FISH CANNERIES

Queensland travel destinations – Uluru

By
David Sweedman
-
0
Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Uluru. Ayers Rock

Tags: Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Uluru. Ayers Rock

Hi there, here is just a quick rehash in case you have missed the latest episodes from ‘The Bribie Islander’. My short stories are all about our family, Richard my hubby, Ginger our daughter and myself, going on a 15 month trip of misadventure in a “big rig” around Australia, on a mission to find the place to call home. After nearly seven months on the road, we were finally on our way to Uluru. I expected a totally overrated brick brown rock and was worried that I would struggle to see the point.

On top of that, I envisaged a run down, undersupplied, caravan park full of flies and heat to kill you. Well, thankfully nothing of that set in … With the tail end of a cyclone, the heat was replaced by amazing thunder and rain, revealing a rare sight of the rock with wild waterfalls crashing down the sides and rapidly filling up the surrounding waterholes. However, this mind-boggling spectacle only lasted a couple of days and the clouds soon gave way to the beautiful blue autumn sky.

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Uluru. Ayers Rock

Camel tour

Now the true colours of the rock started to shine and once the sun began to set … just like clockwork ‘the rock turned red’ … At that time of the day, everyone at Uluru knows that you have to stop whatever you are doing, ignore your worn out body, find your cameras, hop into your car, and follow the urge you did not know you had…to join the pilgrimage to the sunset car park. It’s your duty as a tourist to turn up religiously around 5.30 pm with drinks and nibbles while being social and enjoying the transformation of the brown rock into an unreal red glowing masterpiece of art.

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Uluru. Ayers Rock

Dodge and 5th Wheeler

There is a certain bonding going on, as everyone is at this place for the same reason and heading back to camp once it gets dark in a convoy gives time for reflection and soothes the soul. It has the vibe all right and actually, I think this is where the vibe came from in the first place! However, even in sober daylight hours, walking to the supermarket, you pass a lookout to remind you where you are, (at the rock), and that it’s not just the usual willy nilly trip to the IGA… But my favourite way to admire Uluru was our two-hour bike ride around the base, with pit stops at water holes and painted caves.

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Uluru. Ayers Rock

Sunset car park

Ok …coming back down from cloud nine, even the caravan park was pretty special, with cold showers, an ice swimming pool, huge centipedes and wolf spiders at the laundry, making us feel part of the outback. Along with free activities like walking with rangers, learning about aboriginal tools, food, painting and traditional weapons, we were lucky to experience a four-day festival. All this was shared with our friends we met in Coober Pedy and a gorgeous couple from Buderim, who was also travelling with a 5th wheeler and parked right next to us at the Uluru caravan park!

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Uluru. Ayers Rock

Uluru after rain

We had no idea that we would meet up again a year and a bit later, at Bongaree, from where they were exploring fabulous Bribie Island while they were house-sitting for a friend. It’s pretty special when you live on the road and catch up here and there at different destinations and caravan parks. And the kids are over the moon to see each other again, but the main feeling you get is that you reconnect with some dear old friends! … although you might just have said goodbye a week or so ago… Around that time there was a documentary on channel nine about families pulling up stumps and taking to life on the road.

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Uluru. Ayers Rock

Uluru at sunset

We, however, felt that there was so much more that could have been covered to paint a fuller picture of that experience. Topics like schooling, daily rituals, pets, food on the road and diets, van and car problems, needs for individual space within that compact living, time and weather changes, illness and finding doctors, missing family and friends and overall living on the road compared to holidaying… Getting the vibe when you are on a holiday is easy, however, how do you get the vibe if you still run a household, do schooling and maybe even work while travelling?

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Uluru. Ayers Rock

Field of lights

Compared to retired Nomads…do families burn out from living on the road? (send me an email I would love to hear your experience) Last but not least, one of our favourite experiences at Uluru was the ‘Field of Lights’ installation. We decided to start this adventure with a camel ride, followed by pre-dinner drinks and nibbles while watching the sunset over Uluru. A few steps down the hill leading to a beautiful pop-up al fresco restaurant, with live entertainment and a stargazing talk, concluding with an hour walk through the ‘Field of Lights’ which included 50,000 colour changing lights!

Tourism, travel, Queensland. Australia. Uluru. Ayers Rock

Bike ride around Uluru

This will stay with us forever, such a special experience! Leaving you with this enlightened vision, I hope you can join me again for the next episode when we leave all those luxuries behind and start roughing it at some free camps on the way to Broome! ‘The Long Way Round to Bribie’! [email protected]

Other Articles

Queensland travel destinations – Coolum

1...959697...143Page 96 of 143