Bev arrives in North Queensland

Bev has Joined me in Townsville and writes :

I am on night duty tonight with 4 other staff so it is a good shift. Sometimes we are very busy.I am enjoying it here but I will be glad to work back in McB

Cicumcisions are practically routine. Midwives dont catch babies and meeting women for the first time on the way to a CS is a regular event. Apart from that -all the mums dads babies and staff are great.

I drive in to work on a six lane highway -not my favourite way to travel but when I get home we have a balcony that overlooks grazing wallaroos on the lawn and a bush turkey.The colourful lorikeets chatter in the gumtrees and lift off in a flurry of wings and screeches when the sea eagle swoops.

At evening the warm air fills with passing bats the stars twinkle and the frogs chorus.I have always loved australia.I have completed 2 watercoloursBeyond the gumtrees the Ross River glints from our balcony.

I take a plastic chair down by the water to paint.The dry grasses and leaf litter crackles when anything moves.Everything moves in aus.My solid walking boots feel safe on the ground seething with ants and my trousers are tucked securely into socks to delay prying visitors.

I know the snakes are active after winter hibernation so I try to be observant.I always disturb the turtles who sun themselves on the logs and they plop one by one into the river when I approach.One day there was a bigger splash which unnerved me.I settled into my chair to paint .Was there a floating log in the water.? So still for at least half an hour.I continued to work with a glance in the logs direction now and then.It submrged and confirmed for me that I had been supervised by a "freshy."

The fresh water crocodiles are not aggressive so I was never in danger

Bev

Magnetic Island Qld

I had a date with JACKIE PUGH today and magnetic island was the destination . Jackie and I worked together at Seaview Hospital Hokitika. We now both work for the same agency, Koala, at the Townsville health services.

Located 8 km from Townsville and easily visible from the city, Magnetic Island covers 5184 ha and rises to 497 m at Mount Cook. It is 11 km at its widest point and there is approximately 40 km of coastline. The eastern side of the island has four small settlements at Horseshoe Bay (the island's major residential area), Arcadia, Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay.

The island was first discovered by Captain Cook who called it Magnetical Island because he believed that the ores on the island had affected his compass. Cook's concerns seem to have been unjustified as subsequent tests have shown no magnetising qualities in the island's predominantly granite boulders. The island has four prominent points, each pointing in the general direction of the main points of the compass . This has become the current rational for the name.

When Cook passed the island he noted in his journal on 6 June 1770:

'This bay which I named Cleveland Bay appear'd to be about five or six miles in extent every way; the East point I named Cape Cleveland and the West Magnetical Head or Isle as it had much the appearance of an island and the compass would not travis well when near it. They are both tolerable high and so is the Mainland within them and the whole appear'd to have the most ruged, rocky and barrenest Surface of any we have yet seen.'

The great botanist, Joseph Banks, was briefer:

'Land made in Barren rocky capes; one in particular which we were abreast of in the morn appear'd much like Cape Roxent at noon 3 fires upon it.'

The fires that were seen by Banks were undoubtedly those of the local Aborigines. Aborigines were regularly moving from the mainland to the island at this time. They would have come for the excellent supplies of crustaceans (there are a number of shell middens on the island), the fish in the surrounding waters, and a range of animals, fruit and vegetables.

Europeans did not settle on the island until the 1870s. The early settlers were attracted to the island by its peacefulness rather than any economic value it may have had. By the end of the century a low level of 'tourism', encouraged by the construction of a guest house and hotel, had started.

Access to the island is by a regular ferry service which leaves from Marine World in Townsville. There is also a barge which transports vehicles to the island . From Nelly Bay, a bus services can drop you off on route anywhere you chose .

The water was Blue and clear but not inviting enough for us to don our Bikinis and swim out to the reef. We went over to Horseshoe bayon the bus . The weather was threatening rain which limited the tourists . Jet Ski Hire and fishing trips operators had decided to have the days off . That left us to wander, dine and look at the birdlife. A great chance to have a good catch up with Jackie.

I wonder what will happen next

Charters Towers 17th

“Take seat 2 D” was the instructions from the bus driver of the big red Greyhound Bus as I stepped forward to board. I met Allan who was allocated 2 C. He was on his way back out to the Gulf. His truck had developed mechanical problems too complicated for his knowledge and bush skills. He said would have to come back to Townsville in two weeks time to pick up his 10 ton Isuzu.

The two hour trip out to Charters Towers was informative and entertaining. Alan told me that he was picking up another truck at Richmond,loading up with 30 unbroken horses, then travelling 14 hrs back up to the gulf station beyond Normanton. The Gulf spread was the breeding base for 24,000 head of Brahman cattle. Alan talked about the management of such a large enterprise. I was interested in who and how the young horses where going to be broken in to stock horses. He assured me, this was the job of the ringers. They got to chose the replacement horses who have to be spelled off the gulf country after a stint of 10 mths or so .

Helicopter mustering is the most effective way to move stock, on mass. The foreman or the Boss ride in the Robinson R22 . Blocks of thousands of acres are fenced in a fashion that comprise a range of land and vegetation types. Permanent water in the form of rivers and lakes are incorporated into the large grazing blocks . Jump ups or areas of high ground are essential elements of these blocks allowing the stock to be able to move to higher ground during the wet or if a hurricane comes through .

A series of 18 windmills pump water to turkey nests, a excavated water dam. This allowed for gravity to be utilised to feed water troughs away from the dam, via polythene pipes. Each windmill has a landing strip near by so that the windmills can be serviced and quickly locked down if a hurricane or strong blow is imminent.

Since the advent of helicopter mustering the fencing of the station has changed . Stock on the larger blocks are moved to fenced races about 200 meters wide and up to 60 km in length . These races terminate at a major set of stock yards . Alan told me that there was four sets of yards away from the main homestead. Stock can be move about 30 km each day and can be encouraged to move on towards the yards by eliminating the water in their host blocks. The Owner has three fattening farms/ stations near Richmond, a mere 7 hr drive from Townsville, to bring the yearling's down to be fattened and sent to market.

Gold was found in Charters Towers in 1871 an the town soon grew to be the second biggest city in Queensland at it peak in 1900. Relics of a couple of the 29 crushing mills remain as tourist attractions. 40 or so turn of the century buildings have been restored or renovated and add a unique character to Charters Towers. An impressive stock exchange, built in 1888, incorporates an arcade of shops now tourist shops with souvenirs and coffee for sale. It has retains its grandeur over the century or so. The World theater has been restored and a great asset for the community.

I took in several museums, wandered the mine sites and absorbed the interpretation panels spread through out the city. The light on sunset was ideal for photograph as the imposing 1890 buildings were a stark contrast to the surrounding landscape.

I chose and old hotel for my overnight accommodation. Big veranda around the upper story , two bars and a large dining hall now with an are divided off and full of chattering Pokies. While quenching my thirst in he bar i struck up conversations with the local piss pots. Minimal information could be gleamed as the were more interested in the XXXX midi in front of them.

I was invited to join a couple of fair dinkum Aussies at the dining table. They had called into town for their supplies from a small outlying area. They told me of their health ailments and bemoaned the encroachment of civilization towards there 100 acre block. He had been a saw miller in his fifties and worked for a short time in Papaua New Guinea in the logging industry . They now run a few head of stock and watched the birds into their retirement.

My bedroom, $ 40.00, was recently repainted, the bed and bedding was new. The walls between rooms are exposed studs with tongue and groove paneling on one side only. The external wall had 2 large doors which when open exposed the bedroom to the external veranda , A breeze through the room was welcome. I could imagine the oppressive heat during the summer months.

I wonder what will happen next

Townsville Rodeo

Just a few kilometers north of Townsville Queensland is Black River stadium. A sports arena for motocross , concerts, horse events and rodeos. Sun Bus provide a Charter Service to the events . The annual Rodeo event is currently on. Participants range from novice to past Australian Champions and are drawn from all over Australia . Further events in the circuit are planned at Hughenden , and Charters towers later in the month.

Stock management at the rear of the chutes was my first objective. the yards are unlit and massive 5 ton Brahman Bulls along with a scraggily mob of yearling with uniform 10 inch horns ( handelbars ) stand lazily in their respective enclosures . Twenty or so 6 mth old calves stand about forlornly looking for food. There job is to sprint to the other end of the stadium trying to avoid the lasso of the following horse women in the 'Break Away' events.

Horses are being prepared and warmed up These horses include the umpires horses , safety attendants horses, pickup riders horses. I seen on the events board a For Sale sign for a 5 year old cutting Horse for $15,000.00 . Experienced and able to do anything. I'm sure some of the better horses would fetch 20 to 30 K

The Safety Clowns, Akruba Hats, Cowboy shirts and leather boots were in abundance. It is a cooler evening with a chilling breeze up the river, good for animals but a need to have an extra layer on to prevent an evening chill. The logistics of managing an event became evident when i took stock of the assistant and participants in the ring and around the chutes . Gate release , Judges and commentators , Photographers , and retrieval and marshaling staff. The Commentator kept up an informative announcements of events participants and some background music to add to the atmosphere.The crowd has swelled to in excess of 5000 spectators .the small Stadium is full. Cleveland Bay Lions Club catering for the crowd through out the evening, Chips , wedgies, Hot dogs , Steak sandwich and Burgers Tea and coffee along with non alcohol drinks .

Special area around the Bar , Security monitoring ensuring the alcohol is only consumed in the designated area . Early on , I lined up for a Burger and was impressed with the slab of porterhouse along with lettuce and tomatoes captured between very thick bread.

I sidled up beside the security man who had oversight of the marshaling yards. I assume his job was to to keep the Riff-Raff for bothering the Cowboys . I asked him a few inane questions, he had little interest in the proceedings and even less knowledge of the process. He allowed me on into the preparation enclosure . Saddles, ropes , head halters, chaps, bridles and an array of flank straps which is the primary tool to encourage the horse or Bull to throw his hind legs skyward.

The Bull riders were bandaging their left arms which had me intrigued . The elastoplast was wrapped tightly around the Biceps and again around the for arm . A bridge link of twisted tape joined these to bandages to protect and prevent over extension of the cowboys elbow. The Left hand is locked into a glove and attached to a handle or belt which goes around the girth of the bull. This helps to keep the riders center of gravity closer to the animal and negate the flailing effect of centrifugal force as the bull rotates violently in his effort to dislodge his tormentors.

The evening events are a variety of different forms of action . The Horse Back buck jumping is either Saddle bronc riding or Bareback further divided into novice or Open. The Ladies are involved in animal roping , barrel racing and providing back up to the yearling wrestling of the horned yearlings. The Bulls have one outing for the evening and are always ridden bareback . The animal's have done it all before and are very familiar with the routine. I did not see any maltreatment they only received a slight pock with a stick to move them forward into the respective chutes.

Injuries of course this is a high risk sport these cowboys undertake . The bulls objective is to get rid of the flank strap which is pissing him off and secondary is the small scrap of humanity which is atop his back . The final seconds in the chute see the assistants give the flank strap a tweak . On one occasion this tightening, propelled the bull skyward about three feet while still in the chute. The cowboy bellowed in pain as his legs where scrubbed up against the metal railings of the gate . The bull seemed to sense his riders displeasure and repeated the skyward jumping a further five time inflicting severe injuries on his jockeys legs . ( Very similar to a cheese grater) the Cowboy was smartly unravel led from his hand attachments by the chute attendants and extracted across the chute fence. I could see the amount of excruciating pain from his crush injuries he was in from his inability to stand , the paleness of his face, the juice running from his eyes. Paramedic in attendance quickly managed him out of then environment towards the ambulance.

I suppose he could have been allocated a re re ride of he so desire.

Alvin