Happy New Year welcome 2015 !! Part 2
Well thats Xmas and the New Year over and done,we have had a quiet one,but, relaxing.2015 will see us ( hopefully) shed the cobwebs as I head towards my 70th (where has the time gone?) and reflecting on my life as a whole I have made great friends that continue to day with pals from school. I’ve made a few enemies along the way ( not all of my making !) and the time has come to stop all that nonsense that contributes to life .Me and Annie enjoy our retirement to the fullest and will continue to do so.We have made lots of friends via the Radio Station/St Vinnies and Blue Care and will continue to do our bit with the afore mentioned.Blog wise last year was a wee bit dull with lack of travel and hopefully that will change in the future
Hervey Bay as SO much to offer especially if you are prepared to “avago” I love the photo of the Beer Can Xmas Tree and the Shark on a Stick all of which is a few minutes drive from home as is the Coral Sea HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!
2014 in Review Part ONE
This has been a very full on Year . We arrived back from our Asian Cruise & Chinese holiday whereupon I was admitted to the great Hervey Bay Hospital due to breathing problems ! We thought it could have been caused by the incredible pollution that is very evident in Asia. In March we met up with my daughter Jayne her husband & grankids down in Brisbane and in 4 days we visited FOUR theme parks ! that was very trying !! but great to meet up with my family (from Perth) I had heart problems ,admitted to Hervey Bay Hospital and as a result I was flown via The Royal Flying Doctor to Brisbane Womens (yes thats where I went!) Hospital and the staff from Cleaner to Surgeon were fantastic .Annie had to drive the 300 kms solo to collect me! ( She ,s done a fantastic job looking after my welfare) consequently I had an angeogram that thankfully was positive !! I also joined St Vinnies as a volunteer and do every Thursday am.In March we joined the local Radio Station (FraserCoast FM 107.5) and became an announcer securing my very own late night Thursday show ( Geoff,s Happy Hours) from 9 pm till midnight with Annie acting as my gofer and trivia announcer I have also covered numerous shows for people having holidays/sickness and we are thoroughly enjoying it .Later on in the year both Annie & myself became volunteers for Blue Care working with elderly and it is very rewarding to see people put a smile on their faces when we can spare time with them .Annies had a week in Adelaide meeting up with her family (Annies home town) and followed that up by going to Perth for 5 weeks to meet her brand new daughter Dejanna .Annie,s other daughter spent a week with us trying to get her self sorted after a horrendous motorbike accident (not her fault) a couple of years ago and she had a very traumatic flight back to Perth (flight delayed by a day!) Next year (2015) we will hopefully spend some time travelling starting with both of us taking time off to visit family and friends in Perth .Hervey Bay (our home) is a brilliant place to live and for seniors there is plenty to do .I have been doing outside broadcasts at various venues and these activities have been great fun .We have attended a few Motorhome rallys ( of which we have organized one very successfully) and come 2015 we are hoping to do lots of travelling .All in all ( apart from the illnesses) we have had a Ball !! Merry Xmas * Happy New Year 
A New Beginning ..Goodbye to the OLD (written entries will remain BUT no pics !)
WordPress is getting too expensive for me to put pics on SO I have deleted ALL previous pics on this site to give me more room and be able to continue adding more pics on upcoming stories and the ability to add more pics now I have completely deleted my 1000,s of previous pics I hope future entries will be to your satisfaction,I know they will be to me and Annie …..
Just started our trip July 2010
Fraser Island very near our Home
We are very lucky to travel a short ferry ride across this beautiful Bay we have come to live next to and have actually visited a couple of times and we are considering taking the 4 wheel drive over for a much better look see !!
Fraser Island is located just off the coast from Queensland’s HERVEY BAY. World Heritage list Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and one of the only places in the world where rainforest grows in sand. Over 120 kilometres long and over 25 kilometres across at its widest point, Fraser Island is a unique natural environment that has developed over 800,000 years. Named ‘K’gari’ (meaning paradise) Fraser Island was home to the Butchulla people who lived on the island for over 5,00 Fraser Island is also home to numerous pristine freshwater lakes such as Lake McKenzie, Lake Wabby, Lake Birrabeen and Lake Allom, crystal clear creeks featuring famous Eli Creek, and Champagne Pools; spectacular swimming rock pools. Fraser Island also boasts a wealth of other natural attractions such as stunning wetlands, heath decorated with wildflowers and 1000 year old rainforest trees all thriving from nothing more than sand Located on the eastern side of the Island is Seventy Five Mile Beach, a stunning natural highway where you will discover Fraser Island’s own shipwreck, “The Maheno” and cliffs of amazing coloured sand formations. Fraser Island is home to 350 species of birds, wallabies, possums, echidnas and Australia’s purest dingoes and its warm waters attract dugong, dolphins and turtles. The magnificent humpback whales, with their young, pass on the western side of the island between May and November.
There are numerous ways you can experience this magnificent Island. You can join one of the many Fraser Island Tours that depart Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach or Kingfisher Bay Resort each day. Join one of the adventurous Fraser Island Tag A-Long Tours. Hire a 4WD or take your own across on a Fraser Island Ferry and discover off-road 4WDing at its best. Take a scenic flight over Fraser Island and land on Seventy Five Mile Beach. Cruise across the Great Sandy Straits on a Fraser Island Ferry and hike part or all of Fraser Island’s Great Walk.
Fraser Island Accommodation is also many and varied. From Eco Friendly resorts such as Kingfisher Bay Resort, to accommodation ideal for a perfect family fishing getaway at Eurong Beach Resort, to self contained cabins and beach houses scattered along the eastern beach. For those that really want to get back to nature a Fraser Island Camping holiday is the ideal choice for you. Stay in one of the many National Parks camp grounds or at a designated camping spot along the eastern beach. Don’t forget you will need a vehicle or camping Permit to camp or self drive on Fraser Island.
Definitely a MUST visit Island if you are in this area
SPIDERS !!! of AUSTRALIA
Having lived in Australia for over 30 years I am amazed at the vast variety of spiders living in this great country.I was inspired to write a blog on Arachnids by a friend of mines daughter in Blackpool Lancashire UK by the name of Jacqui ( hope I spelt that right) having being born and bred in England I grew up like most big masculine men and sadly that is to say “I was terrified of Spiders !!” If I saw a common Daddy Long Legs in the bath I would stand outside the room until some very brave woman would get rid it for me !! ( Same goes for mice etc) Strange how suck small creatures can affect the human species ( how did we ever survive “The Beginning?” ) and of course the good ole British spider is NOT venomous. Here in Australia lots of species are down right dangerous and can kill !! (and I have encountered most of these) Living with these creatures around me has cured me of my Arachnophobia and I am no longer afraid of the little beasties in as much IF I spot one inside the house a jar and stiff piece of paper will see me (or Ann) trap the unsuspecting culprit and take it OUTSIDE.In Western Australia where I lived RedBacks are very common and those I will kill if in the house ( dangerous to children ) The next paragraphs are taken from Wikipedia and explain Redbacks a lot better than I ever could
Mainly nocturnal, the female redback lives in an untidy web in a warm sheltered location, commonly near or inside human residences. It preys on insects, spiders and small vertebrates that become ensnared in its web. It kills its prey by injecting a complex venom through its two fangs when it bites, before wrapping them in silk and sucking out the liquefied insides. Male spiders and spiderlings often live on the periphery of the female spiders’ web and steal leftovers. Other species of spider and parasitoid wasps prey on this species. The redback is one of few arachnids which usually displays sexual cannibalism while mating. The sperm is then stored in the spermathecae, organs of the female reproductive tract, and can be used up to two years later to fertilise several clutches of eggs. Each clutch averages 250 eggs and is housed in a round white silken egg sac. The redback spider has a widespread distribution in Australia, and inadvertent introductions have led to established colonies in New Zealand, Japan, and in greenhouses in Belgium.
The redback is one of the few spider species that can be seriously harmful to humans, and its preferred habitat has led it to being responsible for the large majority of serious spider bites in Australia. Predominantly neurotoxic to vertebrates, the venom gives rise to the syndrome of latrodectism in humans; this starts with pain around the bite site, which typically becomes severe and progresses up the bitten limb and persists for over 24 hours. Sweating in localised patches of skin occasionally occurs and is highly indicative of latrodectism. Generalised symptoms of nausea, vomiting, headache, and agitation may also occur and indicate severe poisoning. An antivenom has been available since 1956, and there have been no deaths directly due to redback bites since its introduction.
As I have said there are 100,s of different species,some non poisonous,some extremely poisonous BUT leave them alone OR trap them as explained earlier and let them outside In any part of Western Austria for instance if out door furniture is left it is more than likely Redbacks will be found UNDERNEATH the furniture and are very distinguishable by their very untidy spider webs,At all times all it takes is vigilance and to help us along every 6 months I “bomb” my house regardless of whether unwanted creatures are around ( cockroaches perish too !!) Below are some of the Spiders found in Australia and? if you don,t try and seek them,you would probably never see them !!
BTW ? FRIENDS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME AND STAY WITH US IN A VERY SAFE ENVIRONMENT
Ssssssnakes of Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast)
Being raised and living in England for more years than I care for Snakes were never in my thoughts (probably because I never actually saw one !) Apparently Snakes in the UK are pretty harmless..BUT.. here in Australia there are plenty and some are VERY venomous ! Whilst travelling around the great country we have encountered a few snakes ( at a good distance I might add !! ) There are lots of Snakes,different species found in different states and weather conditions
All snakes shown are NOT venomous.Some are Extremely venomous and should at all times be avoided and contact the local council and make them aware
Taken from Wikepedia >>>
Snakes are elongated, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with several more joints than their lizard ancestors, enabling them to swallow prey much larger than their heads with their highly mobile jaws. To accommodate their narrow bodies, snakes’ paired organs (such as kidneys) appear one in front of the other instead of side by side, and most have only one functional lung. Some species retain a pelvic girdle with a pair of vestigial claws on either side of the cloaca.
Living snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica, in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and on most smaller land masses — exceptions include some large islands, such as Ireland and New Zealand, and many small islands of the Atlantic and central Pacific.More than 20 families are currently recognized, comprising about 500 genera and about 3,400 species. They range in size from the tiny, 10 cm-long thread snake to the Reticulated Python of up to 8.7 meters (29 ft) in length.The fossil species Titanoboa cerrejonensis was 15 meters (49 ft) long. Snakes are thought to have evolved from either burrowing or aquatic lizards during the mid-Cretaceous period, and the earliest known fossils date to around 112 Maago. The diversity of modern snakes appeared during the Paleocene period (c 66 to 56 Ma ago). The oldest preserved descriptions of snakes can be found in the Brooklyn Papyrus.Most species are nonvenomous and those that have venom use it primarily to kill and subdue prey rather than for self-defense. Some possess venom potent enough to cause painful injury or death to humans. Nonvenomous snakes either swallow prey alive or kill by constriction.
Legacy and a Market and a Radio Station PLUS Charity week 31.08 to 06.09 GIVE GENEROUSLY
On the 28th August 2014 I attended the Maryborough Market Day as an announcer with FraserCoast FM 107.5 in support of LEGACY and below is a brief description on what they are about ! People involved are all volunteers and a great bunch of dedicated people Have a look at what they do and what they are about http://www.legacy.com.au/ Its very worthwhile
| Legacy is dedicated to caring for the families of veterans who have died or become incapacitated either on service or subsequently. This extends to veterans who have served in war and on peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Today, Legacy’s compassionate service assists over 90,000 widows and 1,900 children and defendants with a disability through innovative and practical programs aimed at: • Protecting the basic needs of individuals and families.• Advocating for the entitlements, rights and benefits of individuals and families.• Assisting families to cope with bereavement.• Helping people thrive, despite their adversity and loss. |
Some of the people we met on their Promotion Day in Maryborough held at the once weekly held markets (where the streets are closed for the day !
Where ever you are in this wonderful country PLEASE Donate to a very worthy cause (and a great bunch of people !!)
Colonoscopy a Hospital and Date Rape
I was recently admitted into Hervey Bay Hospital for an Colonoscopy and wish to thank all involved for a successful outcome ! The 2 Day preparation was a bit of a challenge tho and the procedure started 2 days before and Day One was ok because I had to eat the right foods and had up until midnight ! Day 2 NO food and only clear liquids and NO alcohol !! As the day wore on (there seemed to be 48 hours rolled into ONE Day!!) and lots of drinks after (including water,Gatorade which shouldn,t have been drunk because of the green colour,and I dont know why that is and Apple juice.Coke,Tea with milk all No No,s!) I lasted until 5pm and THEN I had to take 3 drinks within 20 minutes! They tasted FOUL ! and were only the size of a whiskey measuring glass and within 40 minutes the toilet runs began (the information booklet provided is very,very clear STAY WITHIN EASY REACH OF A TOILET!! and they were well advised !) I had to wash my hair separately the night before (which I did) and get up on Day THREE at 2 am and do the same bad tasting drink routine once more (at this stage my inter workings were reduced to liquid!! and I was thoroughly de-toxed !!) 6 am and I showered with the “special” sponge provided by the hospital ending up squeaky clean on the outside as well as the inside!! I was admitted at 7 am accompanied by my right arm and full on strength Annie (Everybody was fantastically communicative and friendly) The anesthetist was from near my English town and we chatted in a good humoured fashion.He started to inject my arm and NEXT? I was waking up after around a 30 minute procedure,never felt a thing and didn,t know I was being “knocked out” and after a brief come round time,a sandwich,biscuits and a lovely cup of tea I was sent home,Just Like That !! All staff from Hospital entry to Hospital Exit were extremely nice and VERY professional.SO? to all of you a VERY BIG Thank You for attitude and professionalism
This is NOT a picture of me! BUT shows how easy it is performed !!!
As for my next point DATE RAPE….In the past I have had misgivings of the concept of Date Rape and never thought it possible that females would NOT know what they had been through after being violated .My whole attitude has changed drastically since my Colonoscopy experience. At NO time did I know I was being operated on,I never knew the anesthetic was being administered and I felt absolutely NOTHING after the procedure (and still don’t) and now I accept that people are very vulnerable to introduced drugs via whatever means (drinks etc) SO Ladies in particular NEVER leave a drink unattended and in these sad times be very vigilant.Date rape occurs when a perpetrator uses physical or psychological intimidation to force a victim to have sex against their will, or when the perpetrator has sex with a victim who is incapable of giving consent because they have been incapacitated by drugs or alcohol.In most rapes, the perpetrator and the victim know each other
In Conclusion..Thanks to all involved in my procedure especially my wife Annie,who I wouldn,t have managed without
Geoffs Happy Hours (with Ann) Thursdays 9pm till Midnight Qld time
I have recently started as a Presenter with FraserCoast FM 107.5 after looking at other interests to stop me going “stale” after retirement and I have now found my “niche”. After a few weeks training on the Monday weekly “New Kids on the Block” (trained by Pat Edwards with input from David Mills) I was offered a late night spot on Thursdays between 9pm and Midnight .At first it was very daunting and a wee bit scary especially of having to turn the local Radio off and switch over to the Australian wide Satellite,fortunately I have had my wife Ann assist and the routine has now become a low priority ( Ann went away for a week and I did the broadcast unaided and managed fairly easily, except I had to make my own cups of Tea !! ( sorry Ann) I am now comfortable in running my show to the extent I can now use my computer to “pull” up almost immediate requests.Everyone in this organization are volunteers and do a great job.I love my late night spot and I occasionally do Saturdays Nights on a rotating basis with other announcers . I have filled in for a few other presenters doing shows like New Kids on the Block,Travel the World on a Song,Rocking Wheelchairs,Big Fat Tuesday,Lunch with Tony,Rock, Pop and Country Program Saturday Night JukeBox and of course my own regular show Geoffs Happy Hours
I am currently trialing Designs for the Website to advertise my show Third picture depicts my current FaceBook SO please have a look (still in its infancy) say hello,like and add a request
The experience is awesome and gave me a great insight into how my eldest late brother Jims world must have been ( he was an announcer on Radio and TV with the BBC) Hopefully I will be part of this Station long term.altho I enjoy my late show immensely I would like to experience a “regular” week day show and consider myself experienced enough to take the role on (hopefully keep my Thursdays too !)
The information below is provided by one of the Stations stalwarts
A Station History From The Memories Of Dave Grainger
The idea for a community radio or TV station was being bandied around in the late eighties by the likes of Henry Gay and other local personalities of the time.
Eventually, someone placed an advertisement in the paper seeking expressions of interest to form a community radio station. I think it was Rob Bilson (from BBQ’s Galore), or Henry Gay who placed the ad and that resulted in the inaugural meeting which occured at the Neighbourhood Centre in mid 1991. From memory, Rob Bilson, Henry Gay, Janette Reakes and myself in attendance. There may have been one or two others but I don’t remember who they could be.
I believe a few experimental transmissions were made before we gained a licence to test broadcast in August 1992. Those test transmissions occurred from a tiny section of an old building on the corner of Nissan St and Boat Harbour Drive (now Fraser Shores) with very basic equipment which was either on loan, donated or acquired by means we won’t mention. Weekend radio was born and (from memory) the late Hedley Hollingsworth, Mr Tudman, Graeme Ellis, Henry Gay, Kiley West and yours truly started gracing the airwaves under the technical guidance of the late Frank Dowse. The temporary broadcaster became known as Fraser Coast Community Radio and shortly thereafter became an incorporated body
The station continued to grow in stature and many well known local personalities found themselves involved in one way or another. It was the pending development of Fraser Shores however that saw a hiccup in the system and the station became homeless for the first time. Thankfully Torbay came to the rescue with a temporary home and then, to give us a more permanent feeling, Mayor Fred K. suggested that we share a building with them, still in Torbay and directly opposite Council Chambers.
Weekend test transmissions continued until December 1997 when the ABA granted a full time temporary licence. The station’s full licence was finally granted in September 1999.
Haunted by the lack of a permanent home the station had two more temporary addresses. The latter became extremely temporary being destroyed by fire and leaving the station without a home and off the air for over a year until the council came to the rescue by providing our current site at 30 Halcro Street.
Fraser Coast FM 107.5 has always prided itself in the belief that the station is a valuable part of the community. Run totally by volunteers, it strives to provide ongoing entertainment whilst, at the same time, give support to all community groups and events, local and Australian talent, as well as offer a live source of information on day to day happenings within the region. The station’s standing within the community was very evident by the tremendous support provided by the people of the Fraser Coast who rallied to help put Fraser Coast FM 107.5 back on air after the loss of everything in a devastating fire.
Over time Fraser Coast FM 107.5 has become an integral part of our community with a volunteer base of dedicated members determined to provide a valuable and needed service within the bounds of the Fraser Coast.
Burrum Heads a 20 minute Drive from Home
I am currently learning how to get good use from my Camera, so we took it to the beautiful Burrum Heads a very pristine,clean and friendly spot for a BBQ.The scenery is breath taking and lots of leisurely laid back things to do Everything moves at a different pace in the picturesque fishing village of Burrum Heads, a short drive from Hervey Bay on Queensland’s beautiful Fraser Coast. Burrum Heads offers the ultimate in beachfront tranquillity while its calm blue waters provide excellent opportunities for fishing, canoeing, boating and safe swimming. Burrum Heads is nestled in the southern entrance of the mouth of the Burrum River with views across to Hervey Bay and the top end of Fraser Island. Hopefully the photos of the area and surrounding area will give this wonderful spot the publicity it deserves.People from around Australia gather here in great numbers to escape the colder Northern parts of Australia!yet the place looks fairly quiet.Do visit if given a chance
Very,very relaxing place Well worth a visit !!
Watch me play Didgeridoo
Geoffs Life After Work ! 