Y is for Yowie

Whilst the Americans have Bigfoot or Sasquatch, and the Asiatic countries have the Yeti and Abominable Snowman, Australia has the Yowie.

Though accounts of the Yowie from Europeans only date to the 19th century, stories from Australia’s Indigenous people are believed to go back much further. These tales speak of an enormous beast similar to an ape, earning the creature nicknames like the “hairy man of the wood.”

The Yowie is usually described as a Bipedal, hairy, and ape-like mythical creature standing upright at between 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) and 3.6 m (12 ft). The Yowie’s feet are described as much larger than a human’s, but alleged Yowie tracks are inconsistent in shape and toe number. 

Kilcoy, a small township situated on the D’Aguilar Highway 95 kilometres north west of Brisbane, is known as the Yowie Town with the last reported sighting in the 1970’s.

In 1979 two local Kilcoy boys claimed to witness a three metre tall Yowie and attempted to shoot it. It took off, allegedly leaving behind a sulfurous smell. Plaster casts were supposedly taken of its footprints and the boys became local folklore.

Kilcoy, Qld

Bonus Trivia : The Exchange Hotel in Kilcoy serves THE best wagyu steaks. I mean THE best.

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

X is for………..

So Cat Balou in India issued a Challenge. 

“Mo, bet you a bottle of Peter Rumble Sparkling Shiraz that you can’t come up with something for the letter X”.

Darling girl of little faith, submit your order to Dan Murphy’s now.

For Australian trivia purposes X is for XANTIPPE, a small rural locality in Western Australia’s wheat belt. It is located 220 kms north east of the city of Perth and according to the 2016 Census has a population of 20.

It is the only locality name in Australia that begins with X.

Never heard of it. 

Established in 1925 it once was a thriving farming community. A school opened in 1930 on Struggle Street to cater to the needs of children, though closed in 1940. ( Anyone else getting Tim Winton vibes?)

The locality’s big feature was the water tank built in 1927, designed to pump water to nearby Dalwallinu, but there were major issues pumping the water uphill. It doesn’t even have its own postcode.

It has been suggested that the name means “looking for water from a deeper well” which ties in with the proliferation of Gnamma holes in the area. 

What is a Gnamma hole? According to the Merriam -Webster Dictionary , “a hollow or hole eroded or indented in solid rock of Australian deserts that sometimes contains water.” Apparently these water holes are featured in the 2002 Australian movie, “Rabbit- Proof Fence”  which I will now source for the weekend’s *entertainment.

Western Australia extends across a massive area, at least one third of Australia. Honestly, I am familiar only with the Margaret River area and have no  enthusiasm to explore Xantippe and its environs. However, if anyone can shed any further light I’de be pleased to hear.

*Entertainment is a poor choice of word for this movie. Based on the book of the same name it is the true story of several young Indigenous girls taken away from their parents who escape the mission to return to their families. The Stolen Generation should not equate to entertainment.

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

W is for War Memorials/Museums

Yesterday was ANZAC Day in Australia, a day during which the nation commemorates the victims of war and recognises the role of our armed forces. The day commences with a Dawn Service at the local cenotaph to remember the ill-fated campaign where Allied troops landed on the narrow beaches of the Gallipoli peninsula during WW1. This is generally followed by a march past, followed by lunch and other  “festivities.”

Cleveland, Qld

Australian regional memorials have long been at the heart of community commemoration of our servicemen and women.

When driving through most Australian towns, large or small, you can almost always find a war memorial, often at the town centre. They come in the form of granite obelisks, memorial gates, statues and more. They are found in parks, hospitals, post offices, swimming pools and halls. They include honour rolls found in bowling clubs, schools, town halls and other community buildings. Statues of mostly First World War soldiers, known as ‘Digger memorials’, are also a distinctive feature in regional towns.

Surat, Qld

There is a website collating these memorials in Australia. Go here :                       https://placesofpride.awm.gov.au/memorials

I admit to being a total sucker for our country towns. Their buildings, cemeteries, museums and war memorials offer so much more in the way of history than anything printed in the travel brochures or offered at Tourist Information Centres.

During a short road trip last week to see the Dingo Fence, and bonus find the  Rabbit Fence which I will share another time, we visited the Miles Historical Village on the Western Downs. Of particular interest was the War Museum loaded with local information pertinent to Miles in which I learnt that the Americans during WW2 established six artillery storage facilities near Miles, one being a current mine site which on occasion has unearthed refuse artillery. 

Oh, how this kind of useless information fuels my soul……

It must be an age thing but for the first time in twenty years I was unable to crawl out of bed at 4am to greet the dawn. I set the alarm alright, but just couldn’t face it. Instead, I listened to Vera Lynn for the day and read an article about a newly erected monument in rural Blackall, Queensland, of WW1 nurse Sister Greta Norman Towner, “as a reminder of the significant contribution Australian women in service have made to the nation.” Interestingly, this monument stands in the park opposite the statue of her brother Lieutenant Edgar Thomas Towner, VC MC.

And for those Aussie readers with a few free hours on their hands the AWM is calling for volunteers to help preserve war diaries and records within their collection by transcribing. It’s easy and I failed typing in a business course. Go here:https://transcribe.awm.gov.au/

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

M is for Mad Max with Mad Mel Gibson – Or is it for Harry Harbord (Breaker) Morant?

The letter M has been hugely problematic. Melbourne, a capital city in Australia’s south, bores me to tears – sorry, not sorry – and marsupials have been done to death.

So let’s talk about a couple of lads who have captured my imagination since the teenage years : actor and film producer, Mel Gibson, and Breaker ( as in horse breaker) Morant.

Both talented and controversial figures. Gibson won huge praise as Max Rockatansky in the 1979 Australian movie, Mad Max. This was a post apocalyptic world with a collapsed society , a shortage of resources, destruction of the environment, and war. All fun things.

So popular was Mel as Mad Max that Mad Max 2 followed in 1981, and then Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome  in 1985. ( We wont mention any others in the franchise. Without Gibson they were pure malarkey). Of course, Mel found fame and fortune and moved to the other side of the world -which is not surprising the way he wore leather – where he has gone on to produce and star in some monumental movies. Sadly, he is often the topic of disdain which is odd given that country’s penchant for the likes of Donald Trump.

Harry Morant too is often judged poorly, despite his talent for writing bush ballads and skill with horses. The subject of film and numerous books, The Breaker’s execution by British firing squad in Pretoria in 1902 continues to create debate.

I am currently reading Peter Fitzsimon’s  version of events. Three weeks in and I’ve made it to page 21. ( Message to Pete : why is each and every book you write the size of a doorstop? And you know that bandana around your forehead? Loosen it; that may help.)

Anyway, M is way too challenging.

I’m off to Miles in the Western Downs for a few days because of its proximity to the Dingo Fence. Promise more focus for N.

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

J is for Jolly Swagman

“Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,

Under the shade of a Coolibah tree,

And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boil,

You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.”

           – Andrew Barton Paterson

So begins Banjo Paterson’s bush ballad “Waltzing Matilda” which has long since become known as the “unofficial national anthem of Australia”.

“The title was Australian slang for travelling on foot (waltzing) with one’s belongings in a “matilda” (swag) slung over one’s back. The song narrates the story of an itinerant worker, or “swagman”, making a drink of billy tea at a bush camp and capturing a stray jumbuck (sheep) to eat.”– wiki

The song doesn’t have a happy ending. After a fine meal consisting of billy tea and lamb cooked over a fire, with remnants safely stashed away in his “tucker bag”, the grazier arrives with three policemen to arrest the worker for stealing his sheep. The worker drowns himself in a small watering hole. 

“Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong,

“You’ll never catch me alive”, said he,

And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,

“You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me”.

According to Paterson’s initial wording of the poem the Swagman wasn’t always so jolly.

So why is the itinerant worker now considered a jolly swagman?

Sydney tea merchant, James Inglis, wanted to use “Waltzing Matilda” as an advertising jingle for Billy Tea, by slipping a copy of the song into the packets of Billy Tea as a promotional stunt. However, the tea manufacturers were concerned that the song ended on a distressing note.

In early 1903, eight years after Paterson wrote the original poem, Inglis purchased the rights to ‘Waltzing Matilda‘ and asked Marie Cowan, the wife of one of his managers, to try her hand at turning it into an advertising jingle. Cowan  made a few minor changes to the words and melody , including adding the word “jolly” to the opening line. 

The addition of that one word changed the entire connotation, elevating our swagman from a starving, thieving, homeless hobo hounded by police to a happy chappy enjoying life on the land. “Jolly” was added purely to enhance advertising prospects.

Incidentally, in Winton, outback Queensland, you’ll find the Waltzing Matilda Centre, a Museum centred around the poem. It’s an absolute gem. Nearby, I encountered my first Coolibah Tree which I had thought was much like leprechauns, unicorns and mermaids. Winton is well worth a visit.

#A-ZChallenge 2024

Australian Trivia

Gatton, Queensland

Enjoyed a stop at Gatton over the weekend. 

Who stops at Gatton you ask? The administrative centre of the Lockyer Valley it is best known for its University specialising in Agriculture and Veterinary Science, as well as its location in South East Queensland’s “food bowl” and proximity to the climb up the range to leafy Toowoomba. If tourists do stop at Gatton it’s generally to purchase pumpkins and brassica.

Personally, I quite enjoy admiring farmland and fertile soil. There is just something about a John Deere tractor and a vibrant irrigation system that appeals.

The Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre overlooks Lake Apex Park and is a multifaceted venue that houses an Art Gallery, Transport Museum, Council Library, Tourist Information Centre and a spacious Cafe overlooking the lake. It is also strong on promoting the areas history with photographic portraits of local war heroes as well as residents who have become “legends” within the region.

The Council Library includes a Free Book Exchange for those travelling as well as a Seed Library which I thought a beaut idea.

With all the recent rain in SE Qld a walk around the parkland is well worth a stretch of the legs. In drought conditions it is decidedly unappealing.

Having previously spent several hours enjoying my fill of country music up on the range I was interested to discover during this walk the “Lights On The Hill” Memorial, which commemorates truck and coach drivers.

The (country) song of the same name won a Golden Guitar Award at the first Tamworth Country Music Festival in 1973 for Slim Dusty and describes a truckie driving at night with a heavy load being blinded by lights on the hill, hitting a pole, falling off the edge of a road and realising his impending death. Ahhhhh, country music……

Anyway, Gatton is well worth a pitt stop.

Bucket List Material : The Mary Valley

“Life is a train, get on board.”

         –  Khaled Hosseini

When I first visited Gympie thirty years ago it was known as a town of “rednecks”. Jokes about two heads and close relationships with farm animals almost equalled those about Tasmanians. Stopping for coffee at a cafe with taxidermic animal heads on the wall, floor coverings made of cow hide and magazines featuring guns, lots of guns, meant being too uncomfortable to utilise the bathroom facilities. I kid you not.

In recent years Gympie, 180 kms north of Brisbane, has proved to be a good overnight stop on the road to further destinations. Attractive parklands, heritage listed buildings, residents who are happy to share local knowledge, and one of the best *RSL’s in the State make this old gold town worthy of a visit. Much of the original farmland has given way to “lifestyle”blocks, though isn’t this a misnomer? Ten acres sounds like a lot of work to me!

This visit was all about the Bucket List. 

The historic Gympie Railway Station was built in 1913 and is said to be the largest timber railway building constructed in Queensland during the twentieth century. It is also the embarkation point for numerous railway locomotives which have been restored and maintained by a not-for-profit organisation which aims to ensure that the public has access to historic railway experiences. A ride on the “Mary River Rattler”, a “red rattler” steam engine, is a major drawcard for tourists.

We opted for a trip on the newer Silver Bullet which included a delightful High Tea as we meandered through the beautiful Mary Valley, featuring woodlands, farms and over creeks with the occasional Black Angus on the tracks.

Disembarking at Dagun, 20kms west of Gympie, allowed passengers to explore another interesting piece of local history. Dagun consists of a timber mill, a two teacher school and a railway station which is only used by the tourist trains. Constructed in 1914 the Railway Station is also the community meeting place. The weekly band practise takes place on the station platform, cheese and wine tasting and the Saturday vegetable markets also occur on a weekly basis, and post office boxes (for mail) attached to the station ensure locals visit on a regular basis.

Opposite the station is a SWAP STALL (there are NO SHOPS), where you can either swap one item for another, or take an item for a financial donation which goes toward assisting the community. Who knew places like this existed less than three hours from Brisbane?

This was a great little outing for one who grew up on a diet of “Casey Jones” and “Petticoat Junction”. Looking forward to revisit early next year on the way to the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival despite that one already being crossed off the Bucket List.

RSL ( Returned Services League) is a support organisation for people who have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Force. The League evolved out of concern for the welfare of returned servicemen from the First World War. Australian irreverence means they are usually called Rissoles. All RSL Clubs tend to have two things in common : 

1. lights are turned down each and every evening and patrons are asked to stand for “The Ode” – Lest We Forget
2. their dining rooms generally offer a good feed at a fair price.

Pigs Might Fly : Kingaroy, Qld

Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.” – Doug Larsen

A couple of years ago, when both daughters were home at the same time, we went to the flicks to see The BBQ, an Australian comedy that allowed you to leave your brain at the door. C’mon – we all need those occasionally, right? Anyway, the gist of the movie has our hero needing to win a barbecuing competition to regain the respect of his family. Lame. Agreed.

It was a case of deja vu last weekend when I found myself at an international barbecue competition at Kingaroy’s annual Bacon Fest. Teams of blokey blokes wearing aprons and teeshirts bearing memes about fishing, bourbon and big bosomed blondes, were cooking over their kettles, smokers, and an assortment of accoutrements (in some case costing more than my house ) in an attempt to have their pork dish crowned Winner by a couple of renowned celebrity chefs, such as Miguel and Alistair.

Kingaroy is a rural town approx 220 north-west of Queensland’s state capital of Brisbane. It is famous for three things:

1.   Pork
2.   Peanuts
3.   Sorry, but I have standards and refuse to mention a previous State Premier.

The name Kingaroy comes from the Wakka Wakka aboriginal word Kingaroori which means ‘Red Ant’ derived from a unique species of ant found around the district.

Peanut silos hug the township and I admit that the smell of pig on a spit, roasted peanuts and maple syrup wafting across the rooftops is intoxicating.

Kingaroy has a lot to offer the visitor. The farmland is picturesque and country women make fine artisans – a visit to the combined Art Gallery, Museum, and Tourist Information Centre is a must. 

The Saturday morning Markets at the Showgrounds are great fun and we started the day with a sausage sanger – pork, of course. Later, at the Bacon Fest, I deleted another item off the Bucket List with two scoops of Bacon Icecream.

A visit to the Kingaroy RSL , or Returned Services League, was of particular interest with its homage to War Nurses, with special references to the “White Coolies of WW2”.

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The journey to Kingaroy took three or four hours longer than anticipated, and that’s okay because the Farmgate Trail allowed us the pleasure of purchasing fresh produce direct from the farmers. Have to say I don’t need any roast pork with crackling for a while.

Take Me Home Country Roads*

Someone asked me the other day what was my dream destination.

Easy Peasy. I have a thing about our country towns.

They are full of character and history and each and every one has a story to tell.

I visited a few on a short road trip last weekend. What these small rural townships generally have in common is a memorial to those fallen during the Boer and both World Wars. You don’t see many of the more recent conflicts on these memorials and I assume that as the world changed so did these small communities, some virtually disappearing as industries changed and the population moved closer to the cities.

Maclagan was surveyed in 1889. Twenty years ago it had a population of nearly 400. Ten years ago it had less than 200. It is interesting to note that so many of the early families lost more than one son during the war/s.

Just up the road is Cooyar, bustling with a population of nearly 250. The heritage listed ANZAC memorial was really stunning, surrounded by gardens, and the Cooyar Hotel, opened in 1903 saw a steady trade from travellers.

The parklands opposite the pub were also interesting in that in the early days this marked the spot of the local Memorial Hall, or community meeting place, which was swept away by floodwaters and killing two locals.

Maidenwell is another little village popular as a stop before the beautiful Bunya Mountains.  To be honest it was so unpleasantly hot I just quietly died under a shady tree with a refreshing  bevy. But thats what makes a good Queensland pub……

Lastly, Crows Nest, a thriving metropolis of 2000 only 40 kms out of Toowoomba, Queensland’s largest inland city. I have shared my visit here previously after a decadent stay at  Bunnyconnellan Guest House on a gorgeous olive grove.

I discovered somewhere new from this township’s past which I found fascinating:  Bullocky’s Rest Park which was originally used as a camp for bullock teams hauling timber from Cooyar to Toowoomba due to the availability of a fresh water supply. 

“A place to meet on the journey way

A place to rest at the close of day

Sharing a billy and a tale to tell

Midst the night time clanging of the ole bullock bell.”

I’ve visited an Art Gallery, an Antique Store and even bought raffle tickets to send kids from Boys Brigade to Canberra for a week.

Bali? No thanks.

*Apologies to John Denver

Death By Tomato and Rural Aid

Most Aussies would have heard of the charitable organisation Rural Aid. Established in 2015 in the middle of a drought Rural Aid became known for raising funds to send road trains loaded with bales of hay (the Buy A Bale Campaign) to areas right across the nation in order to keep animals alive.

To this day Rural Aid continues to “provide critical support including water, fodder (hay), financial and counselling assistance to help farmers (primary producers) who endure drought, flood and bushfires”. Oh, and add mouse plagues to the list.

One of my favourite initiatives is the creation of the Farm Army whereby volunteers assist farmers with tasks such as building fences, farm sitting or simply by lending a hand. I ‘de love to participate in this program though I am too much like my father: my  practical and manual skills make me as useful as an ashtray on a motor bike!

Rural Aid are calling out for help in connecting the City to Country communities this Christmas. They are requesting that children make a Christmas card for a farmer, including a personal message, to remind our farmers that we value their contribution.

Here are the Instructions:

To help Rural Aid distribute them as quickly as possible, participants need to follow these steps:

1. The cards cannot be larger than 120mm x 170mm. You could fold a bigger card down to that size but this is the MAXIMUM size we will be sending on.
2. Do not put your cards in an individual envelope. Instead, place all of them in a bigger envelope and mail them to Rural Aid at PO Box 1342, Sunnybank Hills QLD 4109
3. Rural Aid will have thousands of envelopes here ready to put your card in and send onto an Aussie farmer.
4. Please ensure that all cards have a personal message written inside, and are not blank.

All cards must be at Rural Aid’s Brisbane office no later than November 17th, 2021.

So take the screens away from the Little People and set up a craft station : coloured pens, glitter, streamers, whatever it takes. If I had Little People at home I’de be rewarding them with a grazing platter with carrot, celery sticks, cheese, and olives reminding them about where our food comes from. But then my kids would tell you I’m a nag…

Not tomatoes though. I grow tomatoes. My six tomato plants are killing me. Eating them every night for three weeks so far I’m sure there is a kidney stone in the offering.

Pardon the lack of styling. Useless, I told you.

* When we used to travel as a family I was forever pointing out things to the children to keep them amused: changing topography and vegetation, landmarks and historic sites.Geez Louise, did they get the poops or what. Twenty years later, and now sitting in the back seat of the car, all I get is “Mo, do you know who is buried in that cemetery ?” or “look at that Canola field”.