Home Blog Page 97

Artwork with a marine theme

David Sweedman
-
0
Artwork with a marine theme

Tags: Mathew Flinders Gallery at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre Artwork. Artists.

ABOUT SALT
For the Second Time

In some of the early issues of The Mini Bribie Islander, I wrote a series of articles which explained the good and bad qualities of a number of foods and additives to which I seem to be addicted and one of these was salt. Now, more than one year on from that article, I am again writing about salt but this time, it is not related to something that is known to be a frequently used flavour enhancer.

Featured Image(above): The Capricorn Coast by Colin Van Kruining

Until September 23rd, the Mathew Flinders Gallery at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre was the venue for an exhibition by twenty invited artists from the area which has been on display from September 10th and officially opened on September 14th. The exhibition is entitled, yes, you guessed it, “SALT,” and a spokesperson for the group has pointed out that, “As salt is essential for life – it is also the stimulus for the artwork in the display.”

All the pieces in the exhibition which include pottery and mosaics as well as both large and small paintings were themed on a coastal environment so for anyone who enjoys artwork with a marine theme, the “SALT” exhibition has provided the opportunity to view and perhaps purchase a piece of appropriately themed art by one of these super talented artists.

Other Articles

ARTIST OF THE MONTH – KATHRIN DIERICH

THE BRIBIE WINELANDER – Oct 2018

David Sweedman
-
0
THE BRIBIE WINELANDER – Oct 2018

Tags: Wine. White. Red. Chardonnay. Reisling. Australian wines.

My friend Philip certainly leans to the left in life, it is rumoured he even has a Gough Whitlam tattoo on his right buttock but it is unlikely this will ever be proved. With this in mind, I doubt whether he is a regular reader of Des Houghton in the week-end Courier Mail with his political views but Houghton also writes a wine and food section in The Weekend Courier Mail which I enjoy reading.

Each week he reviews a selection of wines from various vineyards with a bit of a story on each then opposite is usually a photo with the price, often well out of the average wine drinkers range as in the case of this week when he reviewed The House of Arras sparkling wines from Tasmania the prices were $60 for the 2007 Rose, $250 for the 2007 Grand Vintage and $350 for the 2001 Blanc de Blanc. Having been in the situation to try to get reviews for wines that I represented in Western Australia the wines you want the reviewer to look at would have been delivered to the writer either to his office or their home address.

They don’t pop into the local bottle shop and buy anything, the wine company hopes the reviewer will be suitably impressed to write an article as it could mean extra sales. Likewise, when the time of the year comes when the top 100 reds and whites are announced you will drop off your sample wines and will be confronted with cartons of wine from other wineries which all have to be tasted, it’s a hard job but someone has to do it! I once picked up the number one pick with Richard Hamilton Burtons Vineyard Bush Vines Grenache from McLaren Vale and promptly sold hundreds of cases on the article in the paper.

Italian wines. Red. White. Wine. 

Even better about ten years ago one of my agencies, Witchmount from Victoria, won a trophy at the Syrah du Monde tasting in France for the best Shiraz in the world, it was mentioned on the television, the radio and in the newspapers and I had just taken a delivery of nearly 400 cases in Western Australia, within days it had sold out and when you work on a commission basis it is like winning Lotto.

In the restaurant article Mr Houghton enquired of the Grand Crus Restaurant in The Fortitude Valley why they didn’t have any Queensland wines on their wine list and the sommelier replied that they were all mediocre, which was a big mistake, it never pays to use words like this especially when the person you are speaking to is about to review your business. Although the quality of Queensland wines have certainly improved in recent times they still carry an image of wines being made in a State that is known for its climate rather than its winemaking prowess and if you are not familiar with The Granite Belt it is an image that is difficult to overcome and as in other regional winemaking areas overpriced.

Wines on a wine list are always marked up be at least three-fold or more which covers the cost of glass breakage, service, wages, rent etc. in fact I once read that one premium restaurant spending $17,000 replacing broken glass wear one year, so purchasing a local wine that would probably cost around $60 or more for a bottle of unknown wine would be a difficult decision for most diners to make which is why a lot of restaurants don’t stock them.

Also most Queensland wineries do not have representation being relatively small and rely on cellar door sales and visitors to the Granite Belt region, apart from Sirromet Wines who have built a magnificent cellar door on Mt. Cotton Road Mt. Cotton and they have good coverage all over Queensland, if you are ever in the vicinity pay a visit to this winery which would match any in Australia. There has been a steady growth over recent years in organic wines, especially with more and more people suffering from various allergies. To qualify for organic certification a winery has to show that for at least three years they have followed a strict path of not using man-made fertilizers, sprays or some preservatives.

Winemaking. White wines and Red wines. Wine. 

Although the market has risen by huge increases in recent years the starting base figure was very small and you still have to search out where the liquor outlet keep their range, basically making these wines means following practices that every winery used in times past before chemical companies became involved. A couple of the wineries that produce very good quality organic wines are Angove’s the leading organic wine producer with their McLaren Vale selection and Temple Brewer, but many more are converting their winemaking operation which should improve the enjoyment of wine drinking to more consumers.

Preservative-free wines are different, there have been many attempts to market these wines over the years but it hasn’t proved too successful as they don’t develop well and have to be drunk pretty quickly and as many wine drinkers enjoy a bit of bottle age this doesn’t work. It may surprise readers who only drink Australian wine that the biggest brand in the world currently is a label called Barefoot which is owned by E and J Gallo of America.

Sales last year globally were a staggering 22.5 million cases, Concha Y Toro came in number two with 16.5 million cases and Yellow Tail was the largest Australian brand at 11.5 million cases with Hardy’s the next Australian brand at 9 million cases. As Summer approaches it’s time to ditch Sauvignon Blanc and your perception of Rose wines, this style has grown in sales year upon year and the old memories of pink lolly water is a thing of the past. There is now a style to suit everyone, from sweeter style to bone dry and are a perfect accompaniment to most dishes and refreshingly cold out of the fridge.

Most red wine varieties can be used to make rose as it involves crushing the grapes and then just a modest time with the skins which will impart a pink hue to the wine. If you enjoy a dryer style try one of these Jacobs Creek, Turkey Flat (the largest selling wine) Jacobs Creek Le Petit, Deepwoods Harmony, Shingleback Red Knot, Woodstock Grenache and Angove’s Nine Vines the prices will vary from around $6 to $20. For sweeter tooths the ever popular Mateus and Brown Brothers Moscato.

Cheers, Philip Arlidge [email protected]

From the lips of Benjamin Franklin Wine is constant proof that God loves us and likes to see us happy.

In 1771 John Wesley proclaimed Wine-is one of the noblest cordials in nature.

However Jonathan Swift was not so complimentary. Wine is the best liquor to wash glasses in!

Other Articles

Wines – a long history

Access your Super – Transition to Retirement Pension -TTRP

David Sweedman
-
0
Access your Super – Transition to Retirement Pension -TTRP

Tags: Money advice. Financial. Finance. Superannuation. Retirement.

MONEY TALK

with Peter Dallimore
Peter Dallimore is a volunteer Financial Counsellor at the
Bribie Island Neighbourhood Centre

If you are still working and have reached preservation age that is between 55 and 60 depending on when you were born, a transition-to-retirement pension enables you to access your super in the form of a pension without retiring. A TTRP lets you ease into retirement, top up your income, continue to receive employer contributions and reduce tax on your income. TTRPs were introduced in July 2005 to help those who wanted to transition to retirement via part-time work.

By starting a TTRP, you don’t have to retire to withdraw your super benefits. You can work part-time, full-time or even casually. TTRPs became less attractive in July 2017 when the government changed the tax rules on super monies used to fund a TTRP. Pre-July 2017 the income on these monies was tax-free. Since July 2017 these monies are now taxed at 15% as are other earnings in the fund so the tax savings are now less than they were but TTRP’s still have the other benefits mentioned above and detailed below. If your income is not sufficient to cover your costs you can use a TTRP to top it up.

The maximum amount that you can draw in a year is limited to 10% of your fund balance. You must also meet the minimum draw requirement that is 4% of your fund balance if you are under 65. By continuing to work you will continue to receive employer contributions that will help balance out the amount you take out in pension payments. If you are aged 60 or older, in most cases, your pension payments will be tax-free.

If you are aged 55-59 then the taxable portion of your pension payments will be taxed at your marginal tax rate, however, you will receive a 15% tax offset. A TTRP used in conjunction with salary sacrifice lets you increase your super nest egg by an amount dependant on your marginal tax rate. The TTRP can replace the income sacrificed into your super fund so that you can cover your living costs and the amount of income sacrificed can exceed the TTRP amount because of the lower rate of tax payable on salary sacrificed contributions. You need to ensure that the sum of your employer super contributions and the amount that you salary sacrifice does not exceed the maximum allowable concessional contributions cap of $25,000.

Before contemplating setting up a TTRP you need to check whether your super fund offers them. If you have life insurance with your fund make sure your life cover does not reduce or cease if you set up a TTRP. Also, check your social security entitlements – If you or your partner are receiving social security benefits, speak to a Department of Human Services Financial Information Service Officer, as there may be implications for you or your partner’s pension and other entitlements. Finally, a relatively unknown loophole in the Superannuation Guarantee Contribution (SGC) rules enables an employer to cut an individual’s SGC entitlements when an employee reduces their taxable salary via a salary sacrificing arrangement.

So check with your employer whether or not salary sacrificing will reduce your employer’s contribution to your super. As always, seek out as much independent information as you can before starting a TTRP. Comprehensive information is available at moneysmart.gov.au and ato.gov.au. Peter can be contacted via email at [email protected] or you can make an appointment to see him by calling the Neighbourhood Centre on 3408 8440. The Financial Counselling service is free.

Other Articles

Financial advice and Mortgages

The MINI Bribie Islander Oct 2018 / Nov 2018 Issue 22

David Sweedman
-
0
The MINI Bribie Islander Oct 2018 / Nov 2018 Issue 22

Tags: Bribie Island Local Newspaper. Blog. Queensland Tourist Destination.

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.

 

Other Articles

The MINI Bribie Islander Sept 2018 / Oct 2018 Issue 21

Emergency services take to land, sea and air for Bribie expo

David Sweedman
-
0
Emergency services take to land, sea and air for Bribie expo

The latest emergency vehicles including a lifesaving helicopter and rescue boats will descend on the Bribie foreshore on Sunday, November 18 for the 2018 Combined Emergency Services Expo.

From SES and police to ambulance and rural fire services, Queensland’s leading emergency services will converge on the island’s Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) base at Bellara from 10am for the expo, in a push to encourage disaster preparedness ahead of the upcoming storm season.

VMR Bribie Island Commodore Liz Radajewski, said VMR was proud to again host the free event and said attendees would be captivated with helicopter rescues and simulated bushfire displays by the Westpac Life Saver chopper as well as the QFRS water cannon, life raft deployments and an appearance by the Little Squirt Fire Engine.

“The Emergency Services Expo is about getting communities ready and showcasing what frontline staff from all do during a disaster event,” Ms Radajewski said.

“By showing you what can happen in the worst case scenario and demonstrating how you can prepare for a storm or bushfire, we’re hoping that we won’t ever have to deploy technologies like the jaws of life or perform a swift water rescue when a disaster hits.”

Moreton Bay Regional Council Division 1 Councillor Brooke Savige said the Bribie expo was the state’s leading combined emergency services event.

“The expo is not only a great day out for the whole family, but a fantastic opportunity to be prepared. If we can take away something from the day and prepare, we can accomplish a lot as a community,” Cr Savige said.

“As a parent, I know young ones will learn heaps and have fun watching the rescue helicopter flying high above the passage and seeing the lights and sirens of fire trucks, police cars and marine rescue boats.

“If you’ve ever wondered about what the best action for you and your family is during a bushfire, storm or emergency, the expo is your chance to speak directly with frontline staff who can give helpful advice ahead on the upcoming bushfire and storm seasons.”

The Combined Emergency Services Expo will also include a jumping castle, children’s fire engine, stalls and a sausage sizzle.

The Bribie Island Combined Emergency Services Expo will be held on Sunday, November 18 from 10am to 2pm at the VMR Bribie Island base, Marine Parade, Bellara.

BLACKNECKED STORK – EPHIPPIORHYNCHUS ASIATICS

David Sweedman
-
0
BLACKNECKED STORK – EPHIPPIORHYNCHUS ASIATICS

Tags: Native Wildlife. Birds. Storks. Australian. Queensland. Jabiru

It was a Thursday morning when I received a call from a friend to say that a Jabiru was feeding at Buckley’s Hole. Such a visitor was not a very common occurrence. Unfortunately, I had prior commitments on both Thursday and Friday and was unable to investigate. Saturday was a free morning so I took myself down to Buckley’s with not much hope of the Jabiru returning.

Featured Image(above): Bath time for this female

Sure enough, when I arrived there was no Jabiru to be seen. The water in the lagoon was low and there were about 19 different bird species that I could see feeding some distance from the hide. I always enjoy the peace and serenity of Buckley’s Hole so remained for some time. After about half an hour a Jabiru flew in and landed at the far end of the lagoon and began feeding. It was a good distance from the hide and a little too far away to get a good photograph but I enjoyed watching it for about an hour when it wandered off into the bush and out of sight.

I have seen Jabirus at Buckley’s Hole before but it is always a thrill when one appears. Jabirus are fairly uncommon breeding residents on Bribie Island and are Australia’s largest wading bird. The name Jabiru is a Brazilian name for a stork which inhabits Central and South America and has little resemblance to our one and only Australian stork. The rather boring name Black-necked Stork replaced Jabiru several years ago, but most people still refer to it as “Jabiru”. They are territorial and include huge areas up to 10,000 hectares in their range. In Australia, they are found in northern tropical and sub-tropical parts where there is water, open areas, and trees.

Native Wildlife. Birds. Storks. Australian. Queensland.

Female, note beautiful colours on head and neck

They are also found in some SE Asian countries and PNG. Black-necked Storks do not have black necks. They look black from a distance but are actually blueish green in colour. With a huge black bill and long neck, black and white plumage, long red legs the Jabirus are large, stately birds. Males and females have similar plumage but can be distinguished by their eyes. Males have brown eyes whereas females have distinctive yellow eyes. Juveniles are like adults with brown plumage instead of black and off-white instead of white feathers. They stand 129- 150 cm tall with a 230 cm wingspan and weigh approximately 4 kg. Jabirus have a lifespan of about 30 years.

In flight, they are stretched out with head and neck extended and their long legs trailing straight out behind. Movement of their wings is slow, and they are able to reach high altitudes to soar and make use of the thermals. They do not have voice boxes so are usually silent but can communicate by clapping their bills particularly at nesting time. Other birds normally have two voice boxes which enable some birds to make two calls at the one time. When feeding, Jabirus move slowly and purposefully while stalking their prey such as fish, eels, frogs, baby turtles and turtle eggs, small crabs, snakes, and insects. Large prey such as snakes etc is beaten and prodded until they become manageable enough to be eaten. They hunt alone in water from 5-30 cm deep.

Breeding can take place by the mostly monogamous parents at almost any time but from March to May seems to be the most favoured time. Their untidy nests high up in a tree and usually near water are huge and made of sticks being 1.2 m – 1.6 m across and up to 1 m deep. 2-4 white eggs are laid and incubated by both parents for about 30 days. Both parents also help tend to the young. Adult birds fly out for food which they swallow and regurgitate to feed the chicks. Sometimes water is carried to the chicks in the adults’ bills. Young birds remain in the nest for about 100-115 days and are fed by both parents. When they are ready to fly they are taught by their parents to leave the nest.

Native Wildlife. Birds. Storks. Australian. Queensland.

Juvenile feeding at Buckley’s Hole

I once watched a patient parent trying to coax a recalcitrant youngster to leave the nest. I watched for hours but the youngster kept refusing to take the final step. I had to leave in the end but believe the youngster flew off the next day. From a clutch of chicks usually only one will survive so their population expansion is understandably slow. John Gould while studying the Jabiru noted that the meat had a fishy taste and not very palatable. To some of the Aboriginal tribes, the meat was taboo. They believed that by eating the meat an unborn baby could cause the death of the mother. Early Aborigines have several stories relating to the Jabiru.

The bill is described as a spear that went through the head of the bird. As we know the Jabiru has no voice box and an early Aboriginal story is that Jabirus once had a beautiful singing voice. The Kookaburra was envious as he could not sing at all. One night the Kookaburra waited for the Jabiru to fall asleep then crept up on the unsuspecting bird and cut out its voice box. After that, the Jabiru couldn’t sing at all. When it heard the loud cackling laughter of the Kookaburra it then knew that the Kookaburra had stolen its voice. Jabirus were also part of Indian folklore.

Native Wildlife. Birds. Storks. Australian. Queensland.

In-flight – note outstretched neck and legs

Native Wildlife. Birds. Storks. Australian. Queensland.

Juvenile feeding at Buckley’s Hole

In one area the young men were expected to capture a Jabiru alive before they could marry. Jabirus, when threatened, can become quite ferocious and after a youth was killed by an angry bird in the 1920’s the practice was discontinued. The most significant threats facing Jabirus are the loss of habitat through development, pollution of waterways, disappearing wetlands, and powerlines. With their huge wingspan powerlines can be a problem during flight. Conservation status in Qld, NT, WA is secure but in NSW the species is endangered. They are not found in the other states of Australia.

Other Articles

The Wildlife of Bribie Island

I CAN BE YOUR HERO BABY

David Sweedman
-
0
I CAN BE YOUR HERO BABY

My Dearest Bribie-ites, Are you into watching MARVEL movies or DC Comic movies or really, any kind of action-packed super-hero/heroine themed film? I totally am!! Currently in suspense for the follow up to Infinity Wars and How to Train Your Dragon 3. Don’t you just love the momentum of hero-films and the undercurrents of underdogs rising to the challenge, beating the enemy, saving the world and winning their love? Yes! We all either look up to or fall in love with the hero, don’t we?

But, have you ever thought that we identify with that character because, in some way, we want to be the hero? If you think about it, our lives are like a movie. There are twists and turns, struggles and triumphs, love and beauty. And we are the main physical character. With each decision we make, we write the stories of our lives that are being read by others every day. With that in mind, and without being morbid, don’t you think that at the end of this life you want to leave a legacy?

To have someone read the story of your life and just think, ‘wow’. Or simply smile. Everyone wants the hero to win. They want the enemy to be utterly defeated, smashed, conquered, obliterated and our protagonist to shine in glory. Well, it’s no different in our own lives. Each to our own are personal battles, and the time to give up is never. No one would go to a film where the hero just decides to give up and walk away in the heat of war. What is that!!? No, we want to see you fight and we want to see you win. And when you win, it gives us the hope that we too are victors.

See in the 21st century, the modern family life that gets broadcasted daily makes this world out to be so suburban. But isn’t there something deep within you that longs for more? That feels that the rhythm in great films cannot be just fiction. That there is a heartbeat out there in the universe much bigger than we think or know. And that we are meant to be connected to a greater purpose? The magic of life comes alive when you believe. When you trust that whatever is going around you isn’t the be all and end all. That there is more than just earth and space and planets.

That your life has purpose and meaning and destiny. Moreover, that there is a love more satisfying, deeper, more securing then any love we’ve ever known out there for us. So leave your legacy, be the hero people look up to. Because we are all watching each other and keeping each other accountable. At the end of it, if we don’t give up and keep our hope, faith and love alive there will be much celebrating and joy! The end. Just kidding, it’s just the beginning…

Pet care and advice Oct 2018

David Sweedman
-
0
Pet care and advice Oct 2018

Tags: Pet care and advice. Dogs. Tick Treatment. Ticks

SENIOR DOGS – PART ONE

The last few issues have been written about adolescent dogs. Congratulations you have survived! Then for the next few years, your dog is an adult and his behaviour is predictable and life is normal. The last stage is the senior years. This can be the best time of your life with them. A lot of dogs seem to be more loving and cuddly at this stage. When does old age start? It differs with the size of breeds – giant and large breeds can start from 7 years old whereas small and medium size breeds from 8 to 9 years old.

How do you know your dog is aging? It helps to identify the signs and this will help you to manage any health problems from an early stage. Some of the common signs are reluctant to go for walks, changes in their eating habits, consumption of water intake, even changes in their behaviour for eg starting to toilet in inappropriate places. The first call is to have a full vet check because if there are signs of illness or beginning of arthritis it can be treated. Your vet will be able to advise on treatment. They can also check to see if the dog has cataracts or loss of hearing.

Another and the most obvious sign is the loss of hair and the hair becoming grey and dull. Any behavioural changes as some dogs start to become upset about things that may have never worried them in the past, such as separation anxiety and noise phobias. I always suggest taking the dog to the vet first to make sure any changes are not caused by a health problem before seeing me or any dog behavioural trainer. Happy Training, Yvonne

Bu Yvonne Bishop

FINALLY, A GOOD TICK TREATMENT

With paralysis tick season upon us, please treat your dogs and cats preventatively. There is no excuse not to, as Bravecto is now available for cats as a dab-on giving paralysis tick and flea cover for 3 months, and also as a dab-on for dogs giving paralysis tick and flea cover for 6 months. One tick episode could cost as much as a lifetime’s worth of tick preventative for your pet if they survive.

Tick paralysis is a terrible way to die, causing heart failure and the breathing muscles to seize, leading to death by slow suffocation and drowning. Native animals are unaffected as they co-evolved with the Australian paralysis tick and have adapted accordingly. Phone, text or email DR JACKIE at Sandstone Point Vets for appointments 0400 699 704

Other Articles

Pets – One tough cat

Funny Pet photos and pictures Oct 2018

David Sweedman
-
0
Funny Pet photos and pictures Oct 2018

THE BRIBIE ISLANDER PET PICS

SHARE YOUR FUNNY PET PHOTOS WITH THE BRIBIE ISLANDER. SEND TO: [email protected]

Other Articles

Funny Pet Pictures and Images June 2018

Ray of Hope South East Queensland

David Sweedman
-
0
Ray of Hope South East Queensland

Tags: Drought-affected farmers. Queensland. Charity. Not for Profit

Morning Bribie friends.

I write today just before I leave to rescue some families and individuals over the next few days.

I want to explain a cultural established problem in this great country of ours Australia, its something I face nearly every day, and extremely difficult to change and challenge. But I won’t give up, as peoples lives matter more than my fears or even life.
In 2011 when we were hit with that huge flood throughout Brisbane and near areas, we were all asked to give to charities and Govt organisations to help the worse affected homes and lives. The best visual response was obviously the people from everywhere physically helping on the ground, they called them the flood army !!

Drought-affected farmers. Queensland

But as it is today among the drought-affected farmers, people started to ask, ” Where is all this Charity money and donations”, supposedly for the ordinary people in their devasted homes and businesses. 7 years later, friends, many are still living in squalor conditions in their homes because the insurance companies still refuse to pay, the charities in many cases never passed on the money !! and people are left depressed and angry, and so they should be.

Drought-affected farmers. Queensland

Right now, today, The biggest question from all these struggling farmers and associated local businesses is the same as the floods, ” Where is the money, how can we access it “. The truth is, you can’t mostly, red tape, greedy charities, and sly subtle Govt agencies prevent the ones who need help from actually getting it.
Next week I have meetings with Fed Govt officials and associated leeches, to portray how and what I see on the ground, where the breakdowns are and how is the money that’s been donated, so hidden and misused ??

Drought-affected farmers. Queensland

I hope and pray these are opportunities bring truth and life, exposure of greedy little people like the TV stations, corrupt charities and deceitful Govt agencies.
What else can we do friends, I don’t know, we are dealing with cultural repetitive habitual deceitful natures of generational practices !!!!
My writing and belief recently are still the same, we are best to do it ourselves because then we KNOW the money, time, food, effort and materials is actually getting out there !!

Lately, Bribie people have helped my wife and I take more out, this is awesome friends, may it continue always !!!

Drought-affected farmers. Queensland

This week I met a few folks who want to help in a greater capacity, Tina has started organising ways to do this now , I am to busy to give it much attention just now , but when I return we will all meet and make it happen and work for the good of people anywhere and everywhere .
You can reach Tina on ” Ray of Hope South East Queensland“. Thank you.
We are so grateful to those who helped us this week, you are just wonderful people !!!
See you out there ??

To support ray of hope please like and share the facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/309585386303583/

 

Baron Manfred Von Richthofen (the Red Baron) Honey

David Sweedman
-
0
Baron Manfred Von Richthofen (the Red Baron) Honey

Tags: Queensland Honey

Whilst Baron Manfred Von Richthofen (the Red Baron) met his death over one hundred years ago when his famous red Fokker Tri-Plane was shot down over France and even after so long, his reputation and that of the red Fokker live on and images appear, sometimes unexpectedly, from time to time in various documentaries and other media. As a matter of fact, there is even a brand of pure honey that bears that image on the label and, surprise, surprise, that product can be bought at the TAVAS (The Australian Vintage Aviation Society) Museum at the Caboolture Airfield where there is also a true replica of the Baron’s aircraft.

The honey is produced and packaged by aviator and TAVAS member Kevin and his assistants who guarantee that the honey is absolutely 100% pure and I have been told that after the extraction process, the honey is again filtered to remove any left-over wax. Andrew Carter of TAVAS pointed out that if someone wants to buy the honey, which by the way tastes fantastic and has revitalised my love of the stuff, they can do so without having to pay an entry fee for the museum.

With recent reports that some of the major honey producers may have inadvertently selling honey that has been mixed with other substances, boutique apiarists across the country are seeing an increasing demand for a honey that has not been heated or processed in any other way. From what I have been told by the TAVAS team, the ever-increasing sales of the “Honey with the Red Baron Label” are proof of that. The TAVAS Museum is on McNaught Road at Caboolture Airfield and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am until 3 pm. Anyone who really appreciates the taste of pure honey should definitely head to the museum to pick up a bottle. I reckon it’s so good that it’s fit for a (Red) baron.

Other Articles

Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club member Barry Ayres

David Sweedman
-
0
Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club member Barry Ayres

Tags: Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club. Queensland. Brisbane. Bribie Island

As a way of beginning this month’s edition of “On the Water,” it is only fair to say that Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club member Barry Ayres has probably spent more time on the water than anyone who has previously featured in this series, considering his nine years of service in the Royal Australian Navy. Having joined the RAN in 1964, Barry served some of his time on board the anti-submarine frigate “Paramatta” and he explained to me that during that time, the vessel was tasked with escorting the HMAS Sydney in and out of Vietnamese waters.

‘Although we were involved in the Vietnam War, I really don’t regard myself as a veteran,’ said Barry. ‘Those blokes who were on the ground getting shot at, they are the real veterans,’ he added. As well as his time on the “Paramatta,” Barry also served on a survey ship before returning to civilian life in 1973. The next chapter of Barry’s life saw him rise to middle management ranks as a Senior Lines Officer with Telecom and, after accepting a redundancy package, he spent the following seven years as a taxi operator.

Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club. Queensland. Brisbane. Bribie Island

‘You can only drive a taxi for a certain amount of time before you need to quit,’ Barry pointed out. ‘After I sold my taxi business, my wife and I made the decision to move to Bribie Island in 1998. I had visited the island many times when I was young,’ he said. As someone who has a passion for fitness and the water, Barry soon became a member of the Bribie Island Surf Lifesaving Club and from that time, he has been involved with many facets of the club’s activities over the last sixteen years.

He was Club Captain for two years, the Surf lifesaving Club President for two years and also President of the Supporters’ Club for another two year period. Barry described his love of rowing surf boats and explained that he has only recently given that away due to a problem with one of his knees. In recognition of his service to the club, Barry was made a Life Member in 2017. After the onset of his knee problems, Barry began to consider other ways to continue his passion for water activities as well as to maintain his level of fitness and, as luck would have it, the Bribie Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club had recently been founded, providing him with the ideal solution.

Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club. Queensland. Brisbane. Bribie Island Barry has now attained the necessary qualifications to act as one of the Mahalo Club coaches and he told me that he regards outrigger canoeing as a great low impact sport which is suitable for all age groups. The Bribie Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club operates from their premises next to the Bribie VMR and their club days are on Sundays from 9 am. Anyone who would like to discover the enjoyment of outrigger canoeing is welcome to attend on the club days and for further information, those interested can call Mahalo Club President CC Wilson on 0418 450 701.

Other Articles

The Bribie Island Boating and Sailing Club

ISLANDER EXTRAORDINAIRE – CATHERINE BILSON

David Sweedman
-
0
ISLANDER EXTRAORDINAIRE – CATHERINE BILSON

Whilst making beautiful hand-crafted jewelry and writing romance novels certainly requires quite a considerable amount of talent, it is highly unlikely that anyone could regard either of the two as falling into the category of rocket science but, even if that was the case, local author and jewelry maker Catherine Bilson would have the necessary qualifications. Catherine, the youngest of four children, grew up in a rather remote part of North Wales on her parents’ sheep farm and she explained to me that as well as being a farmer, her father was also a builder.

‘As a child, I learned to do things such as lay bricks and tiles,’ said Catherine. ‘Other than the plumbing and electrical work, my father believed in doing the work himself and I learned a number of skills because of that,’ she said. Catherine told me that while still living on the farm, she was particularly fond of horse riding and although never serious about competition events, she did ride in gymkhanas from time to time and worked at the riding school that was across the road from her home.

handcrafted jewellery‘It was a good way to earn some money and as well as that, I worked as a waitress at my sister’s hotel in the evenings,’ she said. Identified by the school as being very adept at mathematics and science, a trait that she believes that was inherited from her father, Catherine was steered away from the arts in favour of a career in a science and, following her years at school, she commenced a three year university course at Southampton, graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering. ‘There were three girls and forty guys on the course but, even though we were the minority, the guys all respected our right to be there,’ Catherine recalled.

‘After three weeks they were treating me as their sister and after five weeks, they were even vetting my dates. That actually made it hard to get a date sometimes,’ she added. Immediately after graduating, Catherine’s skills were quickly enlisted by British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) and she went to work as a rocket scientist, involved in projects such as the Mars Rover and integrating missiles into the new Eurofighter. She also worked on missiles that were to be used during the Desert Storm conflict. As one of very few girls that were employed as engineers by a defense contractor, Catherine’s ability to convert technical jargon into easy to understand language was called upon many times and this meant working extra hours on top of her normal duties.

handcrafted jewellery‘The result of working so hard was an eventual burnout and I was left with no choice but to resign early in 2001,’ said Catherine. ‘My boyfriend (now husband) Nick is Australian and we decided to move to the land down under, eventually settling on Bribie Island after spending a period of time traveling around. I found work with a local building company and Nick went to work in the hospitality industry,’ she told me. Some years on, and with the desire to work for themselves, the couple bought the Retravision Store in Kilcoy which they operated for seven years until the effect of the Global Financial Crisis forced them to close the doors.

‘The hardest thing that I’ve ever done was to put our staff out of work but we had no choice,’ Catherine said regretfully. Following this obviously hard time in her life, Catherine made the decision to concentrate on her longtime passion for writing and this is now one of her two main sources of income. ‘My mum taught me to read when I was only three years old and she would leave me alone with a big pile of books. I would stay there and amuse myself for hours but I was never happy about how the stories ended, I wanted to write my own endings,’ Catherine remarked. ‘I have been writing forever and, like most writers, I have all these characters running around in my head.

After I decided to re-commence writing, I discovered that there are some works by authors such as Jane Austin which is now out of copywrite and this means that people like me are able to write books which are based on their work. I wrote a book called “Mrs. Gardner Knows” which I self-published on Amazon and, to my absolute surprise, it made about $3,000 in the first month so that was a great encouragement to keep going,’ she explained. When someone is as super talented as the extraordinary Catherine Bilson, it comes as little surprise to learn that she is adept at a lot more than just writing a good romance novel and, when she said that she has been making jewelry from not long after moving to our beautiful island, somehow it just seemed to be what one would naturally expect.

handcrafted jewellery‘On one of my days off from running display homes, I wandered into the Gem and Fossicking Club and I guess the rest is history. After learning the basics, I taught myself a lot more from books and ended up with a diverse set of skills,’ said Catherine. ‘As well as now having a long-standing amount of loyal customers, I sell some jewelry at the markets, mainly the Bribie Vibe Markets at the Arts Centre, and I do a lot of repair work for customers such as re-stringing beads and so on, working from home. I also volunteer as a tutor for the Gem Club,’ she pointed out.

Although he does work as a sales representative, Catherine’s husband Nick also runs an online business from home, selling Leggo parts and apparently, people will pay quite a lot of dollars for the right piece. The couple has two boys, Kieran who is twelve and also nine years old Connor. Catherine tells me that they are both very sporty like their dad. I am not usually lost for the right words when describing someone but in this instance, I have been tossing up between gifted, dedicated and talented but I think that the appropriate description for Catherine Bilson is, as the title suggests, extraordinary. Anyone who would like to find out more about Catherine’s jewelry business, Banksia Creations, should log onto the website www.etsy.com/shop/banksiacreations or call her on 0408 735 597. For details about her work as an author, (she writes under Caitlyn Lynch).

Other Articles

ISLANDER EXTRAORDINAIRE – VICTORIA NICHOLSON

1...969798...142Page 97 of 142