U is for Uluru

And ” It’s Raining On The Rock.”

Uluru is one of Australia’s most recognisable natural landmarks and has been a popular destination for tourists since the late 1930s. It is also one of the most important indigenous sites in Australia. Previously known as Ayres Rock, Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. The area around the formation is home to an abundance of springs,waterholes, rock caves and rock paintings. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Situated in the heart of the Australian Outback Uluru stands 350 metres high, with most of its bulk lying underground, and has a total circumference of nearly 10 kilometres. 

As Uluru has made media headlines over the years, from dingos stealing babies, tourists disrespecting the cultural significance of the sandstone monolith, and the number of heart attacks and falls that happen during the rock climb, for today let’s be reminded of what happens on those rare occasions when there is so much rain fall that waterfalls cascade down the surface of Uluru.

Australian singer/song writer, John Williamson, celebrated such an occurrence in his song, “It’s Raining On The Rock”. In 2011 Williamson said “it’s a song that probably means a lot to me because it’s about the heart of the country and I think the rock represents that. The ancient nature of the country that was here before any of us is the one thing that can draw us all together, putting religion, politics and race aside.”

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Q is for Quokkas and Quolls

The quokka is a small marsupial the size of a domestic cat. The quokka is herbivorous and mainly nocturnal.

The quoll is a carnivorous marsupial native to Australia and New Guinea. They are primarily nocturnal and spend most of the day in a den. Of the six species of quoll, four are found in Australia and two in New Guinea. 

Unfortunately, I have never spied either of these creatures in the wild. Add to Must Do List.

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G is for Great Ocean Road

This National Heritage-listed road stretches 240 kilometres (150 miles) from Torquay to Allansford in Victoria, along the south east coast. 

Not only are the coastal views spectacularly beautiful but did you know that the road is considered the world’s largest war memorial? This is because the road was built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and is dedicated to soldiers killed during World War 1.

The Memorial Arch marks the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. First installed in 1939, weighing in at 50 tonnes, it has been replaced on several occasions due to road accidents and bush fires. To the side of the Arch stands a sculpture was commissioned to commemorate the road’s 75 th anniversary. It features two returned soldiers working on the build. Sadly, some soldiers lost their lives due to the gruelling task of building this road by hand.

This drive has been added to next year’s Must Do List.

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Add to Must Do List whilst in Canberra.

I’ve previously shared my fascinating visit to MOAD, the Museum of Australian Democracy, in Australia’s capital.

Commencing at a statue across the road from MOAD I followed this adventure by joining a small group on a walking tour to learn about the Badass Women of Canberra – women who had changed not only the landscape of Canberra, but of Australia as a whole. Women who changed Australia’s constitution, including activists, with a spy thrown in for good measure, were covered in detail.

This two hour, three kilometre walk around the Parliamentary Triangle is another Must Do when visiting Canberra. (Fish and chips at The Yacht Club on a balmy Saturday afternoon is hard to beat too).

The information was delivered in a conversational, almost gossipy tone and I’m only sorry that at this stage of the game my ability to retain details is not what it used to be. If it was in book format it is one I most certainly would purchase.

I think my favourite snippet from the tour was that the Coat of Arms on the building of Australia’s High Court does not meet standards. The animals are meant to be holding up, or at least touching, the crest.

Also interesting is that the water feature commemorating the Centenary of Women’s Suffrage in the Rose Gardens of Old Parliament House has been broken for twelve months with no date for restoration. I’m no feminazi but have to wonder how long it would take to rectify a fountain honouring male politicians.

For sheer fun I loved this statue in Reconciliation Square. It represents the Bogong Moth which has been the tucker of the local Indigenous for centuries. On either side it has long talons, one side representing white Australians, the other Indigenous, coming together over a meal. The statue gently vibrates whilst making a gentle sound reminiscent of bogongs in the belfry.

Next Tour : the Maternity Wing of Canberra Hospital. We are having ” Paradox Babies” . ( Gilbert and Sullivan reference).

Changemakers at MOAD

Australia’s bush capital, Canberra, is home to the Museum of Australian Democracy, appropriately situated in Old Parliament House.

Affectionately known as MOAD by the locals, you need several days to work through the displays. If I was a resident I would be likely to visit on a fortnightly basis as the subjects are varied and presented in a manner that makes even the driest of subjects fascinating. Two hours in and my head was spinning! (Read: in dire need of cake and coffee.)

There are interactive displays, political cartoons galore, and the children’s area is loaded with fun and colour so don’t be afraid to take the Little People. The corridors are filled with the ghosts of power from the past. (1927 -1988).

I gravitated towards an exhibition focusing on Australian female “Changemakers”.

What is a “Changemaker”? “They are trailblazers who boldly shape new paths for others to follow. They are not afraid to swim against the tide of public opinion. They see a pattern of behaviour that needs to change and set about finding a solution. For them, the issue is bigger than self. They know collective effort is central to transformative change. They thrive on the power of women and proudly stand on the shoulders of women who have gone before them. They devote their own energy nudging others forward.In the face of patriarchy they are system changers and rule breakers”. 

Rose Batty exhibit.

Powerful and inspiring stuff. Sure beats reading about our Prime Ministers , past and present.(oooops).

The other display that held my attention was one devoted to the art of letter writing, from instructions on how to address any concerns with a Minister to open letters to members of the public. 

When I was the size of Christopher Robin I was schooled in the process of letter writing : thankyou notes, Christmas letters, a pen friend in Michigan, and even to idols. ( Can a football player be an idol? Waving to Lord Ted.) I still write more letters than most including several each month for charitable organisations.

I just have to say that the view from Old Parliament House up to the Australian War Memorial is just stunning.

Next Up: Brizzy May takes the Badass Women of Canberra Tour.

Lee Kernaghan and The Avenue of Honour at Yungaburra, FNQ

Saw the documentary film Lee Kernaghan : Boy From The Bush on the weekend and am still soaring from the buzz. In no way a country music fan I saw Kernaghan in concert in a little country town pre-Covid and let me assure you country music in a rural township surrounded by Akubras is a totally different animal. Right up there amongst my favourite concerts, with the added bonus of The Wolfe Bothers. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

The movie includes archival clips from Kernaghan’s childhood and early career as well as spectacular views of the Australian outback in all its beauty and brutality. (Tip for Tourism Australia : Forget the “where the bloody hell are you” and “throw another shrimp on the barbie” campaigns*. Boy From The Bush is the real deal.)

Kernaghan is a musical story teller with a deep love of the land and its people. He has raised millions $$$ performing around the country to assist farmers struggling from drought, bushfire and flood. Absolute respect and he seems the sort a bloke with whom you could share a plonk and a cheese platter.

A new song about to be released in collaboration with Mitch Tambo and Isiah Firebrace, both indigenous, written whilst sharing a campfire on the banks of a river bank deals with reconciliation – Come Together – sent chills up the back of my spine. 

In June I shared my plans to visit Yungaburra in North Queensland to visit The Avenue Of Honour in commemoration of the fallen in the Afghanista conflict. See Serendipity Part 1 : Yungaburra, FNQ.

Lee Kernaghan had written a song with lines taken from a letter written by Private Benjamin Chuck to his wife whilst deployed and held by the Australian War Memorial, for his Spirit Of The Anzacs CD which culminated in Ben’s Dad organising The Avenue of  Honour in respect of his (late) son and his brothers in arms.

These will be the last holiday photos that I share but for anyone travelling to North Queensland, Yungaburra on the shores of Lake Tinaroo is an absolute must. I shed no tears, but rather, choked on the tranquility, the quiet beauty, and the powerful reminder of the young Australians lost during Afghanistan. This memorial parkland is just so well done.

The figure on the left represents Commando Benjamin Chuck. The rock represents the harsh Afghanistan environment.

Bordering the Avenue are Flame Trees which flower from October through to December. Their flowers are bright red to coincide with the red Poppies of Remembrance Day in November.

Lest We Forget

* Aussie’s do not throw shrimp on the barbie. We do not have shrimp. We have prawns. We throw prawns on the barbie with a dash of oil and a couple of teaspoons of freshly crushed garlic. “Don’t come the raw prawn” means don’t tell lies or fibs. And blokes use Prawn as a derogative when a woman with a tantalising body has an unattractive head. End of todays kultya lesson

Jezzine Barracks, Townsville (Wulgurukaba)

It’s been thirty years since my last significant visit to Townsville 1,400 kms north of Brisbane. I did visit fleetingly ten years ago and not so fondly remember the tropical heat pushing me to a pub at 11am for a refreshing G&T and having to take a minimum of four showers a day to stop from smelling myself in the humidity.

Townsville, Australia’s leading garrison city, has undergone some mammoth changes in recent years and is a vibrant centre which manages to meld its Indigenous, Military and Colonial histories in equal parts.

Case in point, Jezzine Barracks, named after a fierce battle at Jezzine in Syria in 1941, which is a definite addition to your Must Do List.

“The Traditional Owners of Garabarra are the Wulgurukaba people and the Bindal people, who retain an enduring ‘connection to country’ despite the impact of non-Aboriginal settlement in the area. For thousands of years Garabarra was the centre of a common food foraging area for local Aboriginal people – an area with immeasurable cultural and spiritual values.” – Wikipedia..

This area became a military base in 1886 and up until 2006 was very much Secret Squirrel territory. The area had been utilised for 120 years and is situated on the Kissing Point Headland on the northern end of The Strand, Townsville’s esplanade bordering the city central, with an outlook across to Magnetic Island and the Coral Sea.

Townsville is just coming out of a 10 day weather event like most of the East Coast.

Opened to the public in 2014 this 15-hectare heritage precinct now commemorates the military and Aboriginal heritage of the area, including majestic water views. There are 34 specially commissioned public artworks, extensive interpretive signage, a coastal walkway connecting to Rowes Bay, as well as the restoration of significant elements of the Kissing Point Fort complex.

The Seven Sisters – based on the seven sisters who came from the heavens to create all that was beautiful, being “Women’s Business”.

The site also includes the Army Museum of North Queensland – closed for my visit but I’ll be back there soon- as well as traditional plantings along the ethno-botanical walk, the Crossed Boomerang Amphitheatre, and the Kennedy Regiment Plaza ( which is bordered by it’s proud history).

The picnic and barbeque areas are popular with both visitors and locals and for a change of pace, a gorgeous little Art Gallery located in old army huts will provide your wallet with the opportunity to enjoy a little dance.

Parade Ground highlighting the regiments that were based at Jezzine.

An example of the history that borders the Parade Ground.

You’ve got it made when you have a Prawn Shell dish from Townsville:)

Next post I will cover the monument commemorating the The United States 5th Air Force Memorial that is featured at Jezzine Barracks. I’m still processing Townsville’s role in military history and it’s connection to the Battle of the Coral Sea ( which of course was not covered in our schooling. Please note sarcasm).

Elyne Mitchell and The Silver Brumby

This Clayton’s Lockdown that we’ve been experiencing since New Year,( the lockdown you’re having when you’re not having a lockdown), also known as the Shadow Lockdown, seems to be more difficult to endure this time round. Maybe it’s because the media keep insisting we are all going to cop a dose regardless, or alternatively there is little more to accomplish in the decluttering and home maintenance area.

Or maybe it is the fact that any travel adventures were dashed from Day 1 of 2022.

Last year I discovered there was an Annual Man From Snowy River Bush Festival in the wilds of Victoria. Lots of whip cracking, camp ovens, horses, markets, poetry and bush music. See here :https://bushfestival.com.au/whatson

Anyway, not going to happen. 

Good news homegrown bloggers and a little distraction, especially if you are not a tennis or cricket fan:-

A feature of this Festival is the Elyne Mitchell Photo Story Award.

Who was Elyne Mitchell?

Mitchell was the  author of a series of children’s books very popular with young girls, in the 50’s and 60’s : The Silver Brumby. There were 13 novels in this series in total and she also wrote non fiction books including her family history which I would love to read (her father was Henry Chauvel from the Australian Lighthorse Brigade in WW1 and she married a Changi POW who later became a politician) which included her own photographs, many of which were taken in the area where this Festival is taking place.

Hands up those who remember The Silver Brumby? 

Confession: I was never into equine flesh nor did I enjoy Black Beauty or Flicka. Too sad. More a Rin Tin Tin kind of girl…..

All photo story entries (maximum of 200 words)  must have “a specific reference to the theme “The Overflow” and an Australasian rural experience and must be the writer’s own work. Clear images must be provided. Written entries should demonstrate the significance of the image to the entry.”

There is an entry fee and th closing date is 14th of February 2022. More details here: https://bushfestival.com.au/whatson/elyne-mitchell-photo-story-award-competition.

I’m so over gardening, rearranging the house, and playing with new recipes this is going to be my shiny new plaything for the weekend. Looking at old holiday snaps might soothe the soul too 🙂

Cows, Gas, & Bottle Trees

Roma is situated 480 kms west of Brisbane and is the administrative centre for the Maranoa Region, Queensland. It is one of those country towns I’de heard of but had no interest in visiting. 

Stupid me.

The town was incorporated in 1867 and is named after Lady Diamantina (née di Roma), the wife of Sir George Bowen, the Governor of Queensland at the time. Currently with a population of over 6,000 Roma is big enough to provide plenty of choice for all the essential services with a smattering of the arts and culture and a strong connection to heritage.

It’s a Cow Town with the largest store cattle saleyards in the Southern Hemisphere. This means you can get a good steak at any pub in town. Don’t dis this : most of our better quality meat is exported overseas. It may also account in part why so many of my female millennial friends make the journey west all frocked up for the picnic race meetings and the annual rodeo.

Believe it or not, the saleyards are a popular tourist attraction and a visit is highly recommended. I loved it – who ever thought that you’de ever hear such a statement?

The other big tourist attraction is the Big Rig and Oil and Gas Museum. Bizarre, granted, but a fascinating history of our Natural Gas and Oil industries. It’s well worth paying extra for the guided tour or to the evening light show for all the fascinating tidbits.

Who knew you could sell tickets for this kind of venture?

Roma’s War Memorial and Heroes Avenue are Heritage listed. Residents planted a Bottle Tree for each of the local lads who died during World War 1, and Heroes Avenue is lined with 140 trees, each bearing a soldier’s name. 

Attached to Roma’s Library is a delightful Art Gallery which is well worth a visit, and as per usual in a country town, the clothing shops sell quality over quantity.

Also add the Bush Gardens to your Must Do List. The garden is 14 hectares wide and contains many species that Roma is famous for such as the Mulga, Coolibah and Brigalow.

My visit coincided with the last legs of this years winter mouse plague. All I can say about this is that you don’t understand the situation until you’ve experienced it. Nothing quite says Good Morning like greeting the day with half a dozen dead mice at the front door.

I’m looking forward to a return to Roma for the races. Guess I’m just over the rodeo stage of life …….and the mouse stage.

A Morning At Highfields Pioneer Village

Highfields is a satellite suburb of Toowoomba situated on the Great Dividing Range, approximately 135 kms from Brisbane City. First developed in the 1860s for timber felling once it was cleared it became prime dairy farming land. Since the 1960s it has become a thriving suburb with all the modern amenities and the benefit of an abundance of mature trees which add to its street appeal.

Highfields Pioneer Village is located on 20 acres on Wirraglen Road and consists of over 60 authentic and well preserved buildings, relocated from surrounding districts, and all stocked with artefacts from earlier days. My parents used to talk of Coolgardie Safes – fascinating to at last see one.

Each of the buildings is dedicated to an area of pioneer life including the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker……silversmith, blacksmith and beekeeper etc. Some of the buildings have been turned into museums – ambulance, radio, fire engine, 11th Lighthorse Brigade – and the number of old vehicles and farming equipment is fascinating even if I am totally clueless as to their use.

My favourite is The Grinke Cottage with its colourful Cottage Garden which has been entered in the Annual Carnival Of Flowers Garden Competition over the past several years in the Cottage Garden category. Just gorgeous.

So proud of myself: I refrained from taking cuttings.

The Anderson Bomb Shelter is also interesting. Over 2,250,000 were erected, many in Australia, and were made homely with bunks inside and flowers and vegetables planted in the protective bank of earth. One joker declared ” there was a greater danger of being hit by a vegetable marrow falling off the roof of an air raid shelter than of being struck by a bomb”.

There is also an old church which is to this day used for weddings.

Honestly, there is a lot to take in here and it can’t be done in a short time frame. I would like to make a return visit and may make the effort on one of the Pioneer Village’s special event days which you can read about here : http://www.highfieldspioneervillage.com.au/events

We finished the morning over hot tea and damper ( with Golden Syrup – wicked, I know) cooked by one of the wonderful volunteers.

The Highfields Pioneer Village is another attraction hit hard by Covid and an ageing volunteer base. So wish I lived closer………

Tip : Add to Must Do List.