Hervey Bay Whale Festival July 2014
The annual Hervey Bay Whale Festival bookends the start and end of our famous whale-watching season which runs from mid July to end of October. We love celebrating the humpback whales here on Queensland’s Fraser Coast. The launch of the Whale Season incorporates ‘Paddle out for Whales’ on 19 July, where the crowds paddle out into the ocean on all manner of flotation devices to celebrate the whales and raise conservation awareness issues to protect these amazing marine mammals. The Blessing of the Fleet brings the Hervey Bay marina precinct alive with activity. This tradition of a blessing for the vessels on the water and the safety of whale and human alike is followed by a spectacular fireworks display in a setting that is second to none. The Illumination parade is a local favourite as a family atmosphere to be remembered along the Hervey Bay Esplanade and in 2014 we’re finishing things off with the rocking Whale Aid concert to finish things off in style for our giant yet gentle friends.
Pictures taken on the Hervey Bay Esplanade and as the day goes on activities will escalate Fireworks will finish the day and the Goodbye Whale festivities will be sometime in October
Didgeridoo,s and how they are made
Authentic Aboriginal didgeridoos are produced in traditionally oriented communities in Northern Australia or by makers who travel to Central and Northern Australia to collect the raw materials. They are usually made from hardwoods, especially the various eucalyptus species that are endemic to the region. Generally the main trunk of the tree is harvested, though a substantial branch may be used instead. Aboriginal didgeridoo craftsmen hunt for suitably hollow live trees in areas with obvious termite activity. Termites attack these living eucalyptus trees, removing only the dead heartwood of the tree, as the living sapwood contains a chemical that repels the insects.Various techniques are employed to find trees with a suitable hollow, including knowledge of landscape and termite activity patterns, and a kind of tap or knock test, in which the bark of the tree is peeled back, and a fingernail or the blunt end of a tool, such as an axe is knocked against the wood to determine if the hollow produces the wood to determine if the hollow produces the right resonance Once a suitably hollow tree is found, it is cut down and cleaned out, the bark is taken off, the ends trimmed, and the exterior is shaped; this results in a finished instrument. This instrument may be painted or left undecorated. A rim of beeswax may be applied to the mouthpiece end. Traditional instruments made by Aboriginal craftsmen in Arnhem Land are sometimes fitted with a ‘sugarbag’ mouthpiece. This black beeswax comes from wild bees and has a distinctive aroma.
N on-traditional didgeridoos can also be made from PVC piping, non-native hard woods (typically split, hollowed and rejoined), glass, fiberglass, metal, agave, clay, hemp (in the form of a bio-plastic named zelfo), and even carbon fibre. These didges typically have an upper inside diameter of around 1.25″ down to a bell end of anywhere between two to eight inches and have a length corresponding to the desired key. The mouthpiece can be constructed of beeswax, hardwood or simply sanded and sized by the craftsman. In PVC, an appropriately sized rubber stopper with a hole cut into it is equally acceptable, or to finely sand and buff the end of the pipe to create a comfortable mouthpiece.
Modern Didgeridoo signs are distinct from the traditional Australian Aboriginal didgeridoo, and are innovations recognized by musicologists Didgeridoo design innovation started in the late 20th Century using non-traditional materials and non-traditional shapes.
We met and befriended an Aboriginal Artist by the name of Tommy who is also a brilliant player of the Didgeridoo and you can watch him playing with me doing a bit of Jaming for fun on my Blog cover page so Click and watch .Above pics are devoted to him.Tommy also decorated my Didgeridoo with a magnificent Goanna and he presented me n Annie with a painting of his own style and a Hunting Boomerang (yet to be tried !!)
NAIDOC Week in Hervey bay
This week saw the culmination of NAIDOC Week ( National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observanc e Committee) with a fun day on the Hervey Bay Esplanade Oval it coincides with school holidays Lots of different stall holders were selling off their wares (we have friends who sell paintings/clock paintings ) Juttah is the seller and her husband Martin is the artist (such skill) She is also an announcer on Frasercoast Radio and I occasionally cover for her on her show “Travel the World on a Song” Mondays 6 to 9 pm Queensland time. The NAIDOC Fair started with an aboriginal playing a Didgeridoo and walking around the extensive Oval followed by children as in Pied Piper Fashion,and the next attraction was spoken by an Aboriginal ex Army who originally enlisted for 3 years but managed to do THIRTY THREE ! His Army medals must have been fairly weighty on this extremely proud indigenous man who is simply known as Uncle Bob.He finished his rousing speech by reciting a poem he had written specially for his daughter.Music was played throughout the day and various entertainers graced the purpose built outdoor stage.All rides within the fairgrounds on this day were FREE and of course the kids loved it !! The Maryboro Animal Sanctuary were also in attendance and allowed the quickly gathering audience to hold a few of the native “creatures” Food outlets were ample and there was plenty to see for all visitors.This is an annual event and not to be missed The NAIDOC festivals are held at the same time throughout Australia and is a great way of understanding and learning about Aboriginal Culture….Do give a look in next year,you won,t be disappointed !!
Little Buggers ! aka White Ants ..an interest from me
I have lived over 30 yrs in Australia and have witnessed first hand the damage White Ants can do to property if NOT looked after !! I have taken “bits” from the Internet via Google Travelling around Australia we have seen 1000,s of Ant Hills that at times tower above me !! Having just visited our local Botanic Garden and observing what these little “buggers” can do I am interested on what these Ants are about so with a little Plagiarism here is the result of my research
Termites are the only members of the insect order Isoptera. They are commonly known as “White Ants”.
However termites are not even closely related to ants. Ants have eyes, a constricted waist and dark bodies, whereas most worker and solder termites are blind, have no constriction and are creamy in colour. There are more than 300 species found in Australia but only about 30 could be considered to be pests of timber in service. Of these, the subterranean termites are the most significant, with about 12 species being serious pests. The termite diet is centred around cellulose-based materials. These can include the timber used in constructing buildings but could also include furniture, paper materials and fabrics. These termites can also damage non-cellulose materials such as polystyrene and plasterboard or the plastic coatings on electrical wiring.
What to do to kill of the “Little Buggars”
The home owner can discourage termites by remembering these facts:
- termites are attracted to wood, so remove potential termite food away from buildings – their food can include timber stacks, old stumps, building refuse, garden decoration such as sleepers and logs
- waste timber from construction activities is often left in place or stored under the house – remove all timber formwork
- timber can be treated to prevent termite attack, and some timbers are naturally resistant – use treated or naturally resistant timber when it is in contact with, or close to, soil
- termites are attracted to water, so fix leaking water pipes, drains, showers, sinks etc, plus capture water from air conditioning units
- termites prefer humid conditions, so keep air under the house dry by improving sub-floor ventilation, drainage and access
- termites cannot chew through properly laid concrete, so ensure concrete slab is properly designed, compacted, and cured
- termite colonies can sometimes be located – it is possible to eliminate colonies by killing the reproductives (the queen and the king).
Regular inspections are the most important part of controlling termites before they do any damage. Therefore:
- arrange regular inspections – at least once a year in cooler areas and twice a year in warmer areas
- inspect during periods of high termite activity – early spring to late summer is generally the best
- keep the edges of the house (slabs, foundation, piers and stumps) clear of clutter, including garden beds and vegetation
- professional pest controllers are trained in inspecting houses for termite activity – use their services
- home owners can inspect houses themselves more frequently than a professional, if they can identify termite activity.
These pics show HUGE Ant hills that are bigger than both me and Annie (depicted) they live underground in Suburbia with NO sign od Ant Hills
Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens and our First visit after 3 yrs !!
Lived here for 3 yrs and still discovering places !! 3 mins drive from us is the Hervey Bay Botanical Garden and we have never ventured into this park before SO this morning we did !! and we were very pleasantly surprised at this wild and well kept garden over 26 hectares of bushland ( I have NO idea how big that is ! but we seemed to walk for miles !!) BBQs are strategically placed around Altho tis mid winter here the undergrowth is spectacular and I will do another review when in full bloom during Summer months (probably Febuary) PLUS its a freebie !! Pathways have been introduced so the visitor will get a good idea of what life before humans was like ( Sorry NO Dinosaurs etc) There are lots of photograph opportunities and ample parking PLUS a cafeteria within the grounds that over looks a lake and good bird life…Well worth a visit .
The tired old log with red soil on it is residue left by white ants who have eaten most of it away ( Didgeridoos are made from tree branches hollowed out by white ants )
Disability Services Commission (DSC) and my humble opinions
The 1973 plaque unveiling (above). Plaque headed “Pyrton Training Centre” presumably prepared ready to be unveiled at the opening of a new section of Pyrton, which was first established in 1966.
Pyrton was a government-run Home for children diagnosed with profound intellectual disabilities. It opened in 1966 in Eden Hill (Lockridge) with children transferred from Claremont Hospital. Pyrton provided long-term accommodation and short-term respite ‘care’. From 1973, young people could be employed in an onsite Training Centre. No children were admitted to Pyrton after the 1980s. Pyrton residents were moved into community-based hostels or to Mount Henry Hospital by 1997 and Pyrton was closed by 1998.
Pyrton opened on 12 December 1966. It was established and run by Mental Health Services. Pyrton was built on land once owned by the Drake-Brockman family, and took its name from the village in England where Elizabeth Drake-Brockman had once lived.
The first building at Pyrton was the Primary Unit, later called ‘Myoora’. It had four dormitories. The Secondary Unit (‘Pindarra’) had a two metre high fence and no gardens. A Tertiary Unit (‘Carramar’) was built in 1975 to provide a more ‘homely environment’. Each unit had 64 beds.
Pryton was staffed by multidisciplinary professional teams, principally registered nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social trainers. The first intake of children was classified as ‘active’. They were followed in January 1967 by a group of ‘immobile’ children, who went into a special dormitory. These children were all under 12 years old and had lived all of their lives in Claremont Hospital. Stella’s (1996) history of Pyrton records that many children, due to the lack of individual attention, training and support at Claremont, had little idea how to behave or to how to acquire social skills. Self-harming, lack of self-worth and anti-social behaviours were common. In 1969, behaviour modification techniques were introduced at Pyrton to complement social training. At first, seclusion in padded cells was tried but found to have little positive impact on self-mutilation, so a ‘cattle prodder’ which was said to ‘deliver a very painful but safe shock, was used on several residents whose behaviour was considered a danger to themselves’
In 1975, searching for ways to develop the potential of each child, individual treatment plans were implemented. Even so, evaluations showed that the institutional environment of Pyrton was not delivering the hoped-for progression to higher skills. By the 1980s, there were no children in residence at Pyrton – though some people who had been children on admission were still there. But a decision had been made not to admit any more children to Pyrton.
Pyrton was part of the hostel system and was based on a ‘progression model’ whereby people would move towards greater independence. Pyrton was closed by 1998.
- Address – Pyrton was situated on a large parcel of land (Government Reserve 25363) at 60 Lord Street, Eden Hill. Location: Eden Hill ……source
I had been in Australia for a few months after migrating from England with wife and 2 children (more have been added since) and served my “apprenticeship” at the now demolished Pyrton in 1983 and was placed after one week intensive traning in Pindara ( De Grey dorm) To me Pyrton was a great safe environment,wherein the residents could live without fear of intimidation and harassment.Staff were mostly brilliant in doing their duties and the resident secured the very best of treatment.Pyrton was a “city” that had traffic lights installed ( not official ones) that were used in training some of the residents.Anything from clothes to furniture could be obtained from the large stores.Buses were run to special schools,day trips and even holidays buses were “fixed in the garage at Pyrton and even boasted its own petrol station. Days schools and other activities were a plenty and within the grounds a swimming pool was added and the dorm I worked in even had its own Radio Station ( I can still hear those ABBA songs blasting out !!)
After on the job training (6 months) I was transferred to a Group home Fairholme that consisted 3 purpose built houses used by skilled residents who were trained up to be as independant as possible .These houses have now been demolished and bigger,better homes built. Within the grounds is a heritage listed ( sadly falling into disrepair) house,stables and buildings that were used for other purposes ie games.Forward 9 years and sfter a disagreement with management I was very quickly moved to Bennett Brook ( I was the Union rep , a job I had for around 25 yrs with the CSA) Bennett Brook was even better that had 7 duplex ,s and 3 houses again it was a safe,secure environment for residents of whom some were capable enough to travel and work in dependantly.This place was brilliant and most of my 15 yrs spent there was very happy ( I could take residents on National and International Holidays) towards my retirement date in 2010 the times they were a changing !! Residents were moved into neighbourhood house and the purpose built houses of Bennett Brook were turned into offices (not all at this stage) 2014 has seen the start of houses within the complex being demolished (the residents of this area ,Lockridge are quite rightly up in arms about the future of lands that housed Bennett Brook and Pyrton (adjoining)
I STILL believe that residents who have an intellectual disability and need the services and skills of Social Trainers are at their happiest in a situation as described above.Having served in a community based home with 4 residents to my mind is not ideal (I had a certificate of excellence awarded to me for setting up a community based home) and would argue in great lengths to professionals ( who don,t actually work with these guys ) and policy makers .Take a private poll amongst Social Trainers and I think most of them would agree
Rant over R.I.P Bennett Brook and Pyrton
The above photos are ALL Social Trainers I have had the pleasure of working with 1984 to 2010 Any STs out there who have more pics please send them on I will be very happy to Blog them
Blackpool 2 and a little of my life s history
Leaving school at 15 and 2 weeks old was a great start to my adult life,work was easy to find in those days and not everybody needed a degree. started work at Marton Forge ( makers of wrought iron products inc furniture & gate making amongst other duties) My boss got me made a member of Central Working Mens Club and in those fat off days some working mens clubs were extremely difficult to attain membership and at 15 I was 3 years short of the legal age.I was married and had a son in my teens and separated after a courtship that began when I was 11 ! Sadly she has died ,but we had a good rapport .In my early 20 s 4 of us (lads) decided to emigrate to South Africa (3 of them backed out and I went on my own) I had a great time and arrived in Johannesburg with 20 quid in my pocket!) after a 2 yr stay I headed back to Blackpool and had some great time .At the age of 28 I married again,had 4 children and migrated to Perth Australia where I worked with Intellectually Disabled Adults for almost 30 yrs after 27 yrs of marriage my wife and I decided we needed to do different things and consequently divorced BUT for a while kept in touch.I met a lady who I had trained to be a Social Trainer and eventually my boss and 3rd wife ( we were both separated from our partners at the time) Retiring at 65 we invested in a Motor Home and spent lots of time travelling around Australia and had some brilliant times and after reacking Hervey Bay we fell in love with the place and have bought a house and are living here at the present time. Life has been pretty good to me altho I have had a few knocks and people fall out with me ( not always their fault) and I have visited Blackpool a few times over the past where my wonderful brother puts us up. Blackpool is where I grew up in my youth and I have terrific memories that will stay with me forever.There is a SEARCH box on the Blog if you fancy a look back over my last 4 years and there is lots of stories and Happy Blackpool visits recorded.This particular Blog was intended to show off some of my Blackpool memories so here goes with the pics.This is a very condensed Blog and I could write a book on my life BUT I don,t seem to get time
Typical Shows from a bygone era,George Formby,Yates Wine Lodge (consumed lots of alcohol there!) the Veevers Pub where I had my first wedding reception,the iconic Donkeys and finally Blackpool Beach as it used to be when I were a lad,Happy ,Crazy Days sorely missed !!
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Blackpool and the Town it used to be Part 1
Blackpool is my place of upbringing,I left Manchester when I was 2 for better pastures.Growing up in the 50 s and 60 s in this once iconic town have been very happy for me and I have of course made life long friends from when I was a nipper.Started Devonshire Rd School in 1949 as a 4 and a 1/2 yr old going thru infants and junior school.I consequently passed my 11+ which in those far off days was the entrance exam into Grammar School and went to Palatine Grammar (as it was then) for 2 yrs before demoting myself to Secondary Claremont Senior school in order I could leave school early and start earning !! (altho I actually loved school,the pay wasn,t very good) Devonshire Rd school was burnt down a few years back,Claremont School has been demolished and turned into a housing estate !! The old Palatine I went to in Bennett Ave has been relocated to South Shore although I think the old school is night school? I left school 15 yrs and two weeks old and started training as a wrought iron fabricator and welder,and that concludes a very condensed tale of my earlier life and fetches me to the point of this Blog which is to show a few places of a bygone era and risque post cards that were on sale in most promenade shops
In those far off halcyon days Blackpool was very famous for its Tower that included an Aquarium.Zoo (sadly) Ballroom where Reginald Dixon would entertain 1000,s playing his majestic organ.Top class shows were the order of the day,playing the very top entertainers of the day.There are 3 Piers jutting out into the Irish Sea all with their own unique style of amusing people and having jettys at the end on which people could fish (now all gone) The beaches were pristine and packed to capacity when the tide went out and people rode donkeys for 6d a ride!! I used to help out with this activity . Rock (candy) is avery popular sugary treat for holidaymakers along with silly hats that bear titles such as “Kiss me Quick”
the picture of the Funhouse on the Pleasure Beach was taken by a friend of mine living in Queensland but hail s from Preston and to protect the photo it is copyrighted and I have been given permission to use it and the Black n white pics from a day gone by depicting children on donkeys circa 1948 is also credited to her and her father
© Kenneth Ambler 1948 & Christine Sutton 2014
There is a hell of a lot more I could write and maybe one day I will
Koala Markets and Frasercoast FM Promotion with Geoff & Paul,Ann & others
GEOFF,s HAPPY HOURS RADIO SHOW THURSDAYS 9pm thru to Midnight Queensland time
Sunday 22nd July and turned out to be a great Day.Ages ago when I was just coming out of training with Paul we were invited to do a promotion at the Koala Markets held in Hervey Bay and with great trepidation we both agreed to do this marathon 5 hour stint (well is is in Radio Terms !) Annie and I set off from our Motor-home weekend in Woodgate Qld where we were the organizing hosts at 6 am ish and traveled the 110 km journey thru thick fog early morning dew and dodging early rising kangaroos !! We arrived around 8am to find Paul and Mike were helping our trainer and mentor Pat setting up the newly furbished travelling ,advertised Frasercoast Van that is packed with Outside Broadcast equipment >Paul was mainly instrumental in organizing the music and Mike was our back up adviser (cos he s been around a looooong time) Pat by this time had gone and we commenced work. I was mainly broadcasting with interjections from Paul ! Colleen our Sponsor of the day was magnificent in providing steak sandwiches and copious amounts of tea!! Annie was given the task of talking to stall holders and asking if they would like to be mentioned on our shows with a brief explanation of their wares and more to the point FREE ADVERTISING !! She did a sterling job (altho she has not had training in distributing leaflets !) with around 100 stall holders accepting the offer. Plenty of people came and spoke to us asking what we are about with on young lady giving us an impromptu song (she was really good too !) She will be invited eventually to do an interview on a Saturday Show in the hopefully near future . Station presenters turned up to say hello and chat with people,some also advertised their shows .Thanks to all who got involved especially Pat (setting up) Mike (back up technician) and Paul co host along with myself.Twas a great morning and a lot of experience gained.Listen in to Pauls Show Tuesday (9pm-Midnight) Geoffs Happy Hours same time Thursdays .
THANKS TO ALL HELPERS & VOLUNTEERS
Woodgate revisited and a very interesting lady from Preston
We had the best time at Woodgate,Annie devised guessing weights,length of rope,coloured smarties in a jar and was well received by the more than 50 people who turned up !Daytime saw the others get involved in a game of Disc Bowls a very popular game unique to the CMCA Motor-home travelers Another portable game on the up is a contraption where 2 golf balls connected to a piece of string are hurled at horizontal bars in the hope they will entwine thus scoring points !! (clear as mud?) The meal in the Woodgate club was a sucess as the 50 odd people tucked into a variety of food advertised on their varied Menu.We met new members Chris & Paul Chris is an expat from Preston who gave me some great photos from my home town Blackpool approx 20 kms from there and they will feature on my next Blog dedicated to Blackpool
Sadly we had to leave 6am Sunday due to radio commitments BUT driving thru the thick fog and dodging early morning Kangaroos !! To see spider webs close to ground glistening vivid white and enhanced by the early morning misty sunlight
Watch me play Didgeridoo
Geoffs Life After Work ! 