Shearers

 Hughenden Strike Camp, Queensland, 1891.

 In early 1891, central Queensland shearers went on strike. From February through until May, central Queensland was on the brink of civil war. Striking shearers formed armed camps outside of towns. The culmination of the strike came at Barcaldine, when the colonial administration ordered the arrest of the shearers' leaders on charges of sedition and conspiracy.

Working conditions for sheep shearers in 19th century Australia weren't good. In 1891 wool was one of Australia's largest industries. But as the wool industry grew, so did the number and influence of shearers.

The Australian Shearers’ Union boasted tens of thousands of members, and had unionised thousands of sheds. At their annual conference in Bourke in 1890, the Union laid down a new rule, which prohibited members from working with non-union workers. Soon after, shearers at Jondaryan Station on the Darling Downs went on strike over this issue. As non-union labour was still able to process the wool, the Jondaryan shearers called for help. The Rockhampton wharfies responded and refused to touch the Jondaryan wool. The unionists won the battle. This galvanised the squatters, and they formed the Pastoralists’ Federal Council, to counter the strength of the unions. The battle lines were drawn, conflict was not far away; the only question was where and when.

The strike started and quickly spread. From February until May, central Queensland was on the brink of civil war. Striking shearers formed armed camps outside of towns. Thousands of armed soldiers protected non-union labour and arrested strike leaders. The unionists retaliated by raiding shearing sheds, harassing non-union labour and committing acts of sabotage, although the incidents of actual violence or arson were few.

But the shearers were unable to hold out. The summer had been unseasonably wet, and the strike was poorly timed for maximum effect on the shearing season (winter). By May the union camps were full of hungry penniless shearers. The strike had been broken. The squatters had won this time, but it had proved a costly exercise.

Thirteen union leaders were charged with sedition and conspiracy, taken to Rockhampton for the trial, convicted, and sentenced to three years in gaol on St Helena Island Prison. The 1891 Shearers Strike is credited as being one of the factors for the formation of the Australian Labor Party.

Working conditions for sheep shearers in 19th century Australia weren't good

Shearer’s camp, Langton Station, 1891

Union camp, Barcaldine, 1891. Located at the head point of the central railway, western Queensland, Barcaldine became a focal point of conflict during the shearers’ strike of 1891. Up to 1000 unionists camped outside the town at Lagoon Creek

Sharks on the Great Barrier Reef

A family on holiday in Queensland Australia, decided they would like to go scuba diving on the Great Barrrier Reef.
 Their 15 year old son wanted a picture of his Mum and dad in all their diving gear, so he got the under water Camera and swam down with them. When it came to taking the picture of his parents the dad realized that the son looked like he was having a panic attack as he took the picture.

The son swam to the surface and back to the boat as quick as he could and the mum and dad followed to see if he was alright..
When they got back to him he was scrambling on board the boat in a absolute panic, screaming "shark shark". When the parents asked where? he said  "there was a effin shark behind you". The dad thought he was joking, but the skipper of the boat said he had seen it as well.. As soon as they got back to their hotel room their son loaded the picture onto the laptop and this is what they saw.

Dragon Fruit Red Pitaya

A red pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) fruit, also known as dragonfruit, together with a cross section.

Dragon Fruits or Pitaya’s originated in South America, it wasn’t until the French took them to Vietnam where they were marketed under the name Dragon Fruit. Since then they have spread too many countries including Australia.
It is currently the number two export income earner for Vietnam.

Being a cacti they have far less water and fertilizer requirements than most other crops, therefore growers overheads are much lower.

Dragon fruit or Pitaya plants are a member of the cactus family but being an epiphytic or vine type they can have stems up to 7 meters in length. They are quite often seen climbing their way happily up the nearest tree.

The flower buds can appear as early as October and flowering will continually right through to May, with the main flowering happening in early January. The flowers are white, 30cm long and are open for only one night. They begin to burst open as early as 4pm and by 9pm have reached their full beauty.

They have a translucency about them and almost seem to glow in the moon light. After one night of glory they start to close with the sun’s rays upon them, but not before the bee’s have had the most incredible feast. On cloudy days they stay open till about 10am.

They have at least seven flushes of buds in one season which is great for the home gardener because they have fresh fruit for six months of the year. It is not uncommon to have small buds, large flower buds nearly ready to open, green fruit and fruit ready to pick on the one plant.

This compound is believed to act as a heart tonic but the most important thing is the wonderful taste, it tastes a little bit like a passion fruit.

The red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) taste has a hint of raspberries and its blood red flesh has been used to treat anemia. The white pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) has a taste between kiwi fruit and watermelon and the amazing look of the fruit with its hot pink skin and white flesh it is truly a gourmet’s delight.

They are wonderful chilled and eaten with ice-cream or fresh out of hand just like a kiwi fruit, they are used to flavor drinks, jams and pastries.
They freeze well and make the most wonderful sorbets,they are packed with vitamin C and high in antioxidants.

Go visit  Red Fox Pitaya’s Dragon Fruit Farm in Nanango QLD and see these amazing vine-like cacti.
If visiting from January to May you will be able to see the unique fruit being produced.

27 Calvert Rd, East Nanango
Queensland Australia.
FOLLOW THE SIGNS FROM THE CENTRE OF TOWN

Pig shooting in Australia

A wild pig attack can be very scary!

Whether it’s a 180 kg  boar with five-inch tusks or an enraged sow defending her litter, feral pigs are formidable and can attack human beings. Perhaps the greater risk, though, is that of contracting a disease from an infected feral pig.

Adult male wild pigs develop tusks, continuously growing teeth that protrude from the mouth, from their upper and lower canine teeth. These serve as weapons and tools. The upper tusks are bent upwards in males, and are regularly ground against the lower ones to produce sharp edges.

Male wild pigs attack by lowering his head, charges, and then slashes upward with his tusks. The female, whose tusks are not visible, charges with her head up, mouth wide, and bites. Such attacks are not often fatal to humans, but may result in severe trauma, dismemberment, or blood loss.

In Australia and New Zealand  Wild pigs or Feral pigs have a significant impact on the environment and agricultural production and are a potential reservoir and vector of exotic diseases. Control methods include poisoning, trapping, exclusion fencing, ground shooting and shooting wild pigs from helicopters.

Ground shooting of wild pigs is undertaken by government vertebrate pest control officers, landholders and professional or experienced amateur shooters. Although intensive ground shooting operations may reduce the local populations of feral pigs, it is rarely effective for damage control and is not suitable as a long-term control method. Shooting from a helicopter is a more effective method of quickly reducing feral pig populations.

If dogs are used to flush feral pigs out from vegetation, they must be adequately controlled to prevent them from attacking pigs. In the event that a dog latches onto a pig, the dog must be called off and be made to stay behind the shooter until the pig has been killed.

Brazil Football Feijoada Macaws and Holden Cars?

Brazil and Australia have become good mates they have recently negotiated joint actions in the areas of trade; investments; agriculture; mining; energy; science and technology; education; sports and culture. There are also cooperation possibilities between Brazil's agricultural research agency Embrapa and CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization), as well as between CNPq (technological and scientific development council) and Australian Research Council.

 Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff  in November 2011

Trade is sizable between the two nations. Two-way merchandise trade between Australia and Brazil was A$1.98 billion in 2007–08. Merchandise trade comprised exports of A$938 million to Brazil and imports of A$1,040 million from Brazil. Major exports to Brazil included coal, nickel ores and medicaments, as well as motor vehicles—the Holden Commodore has been sold by General Motors do Brasil as the Chevrolet Omega since 1999. Major imports from Brazil included aircraft, animal feed, pulp and waste paper, fruit juices and pig iron.



The Chevrolet Omega is an executive car sold by General Motors do Brasil for the Brazilian market. Replacing the Chevrolet Opala, which was a development of the Opel Rekord C, the original Chevrolet Omega was based on the Opel Omega A, and built locally between 1992 and 1998. After 1999, local production ceased, and GM imported badge engineered versions of the Holden Commodore from Australia.

Manufacturer Chevrolet (1992-1998)

Holden (1998-2008, 2010-present)

Production 1992–2008

2010–present

Predecessor Chevrolet Opala

Class Executive car

The second generation Omegas were only offered as a four-door sedan (the Commodore also had wagon and pickup variants), and identical Australian-made left-hand drive models were also exported as the Chevrolet Lumina.

Australia is becoming an appealing destination to learn English after the United States and England – with a much more temperate climate and a smaller Brazilian community. There has also been an influx of Brazilian students who have come to attend Australian universities. These students come independent of their families on study visas, and usually stay after completion of their studies.

Brazil was the most popular South American destination for Australian travellers, with more than 60,000 people flying between the two countries in 2007. As a result, in 2008, the Australian Government agreed to new aviation agreements which meant airlines in Brazil and Australia will have their entitlements doubled to 14 weekly passenger flights and seven freight services

Hendra virus battle continues

A new study on African bats provides a vital clue for unravelling the mysteries in Australia's battle with the deadly Hendra virus.

The study focused on an isolated colony of straw-coloured fruit bats on islands off the west coast of central Africa. By capturing the bats and collecting blood samples, scientists discovered these animals have antibodies that can neutralise deadly viruses known in Australia and Asia.

The paper was published 12 January, in the journal PLoS ONE, and is a collaboration of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge, the Zoological Society of London and the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory.

Hendra virus in Australia and Nipah virus in Asia are carried by fruit bats and sporadically "spill over" into people with tragic consequences. The findings of the new study are significant as they yield valuable insights for our understanding of how these viruses persist in bat populations.

Cambridge PhD student Alison Peel explains, "Hendra and Nipah viruses cause fatal infections in humans, but we currently understand very little about how the viruses are transmitted from bats to other animals or people. To understand what the risk factors for these 'spill-overs' are, it is crucial to understand how viruses are maintained in bat populations. The ability to study these viruses within an isolated bat colony has given us new insight into these processes."

It was previously believed that these viruses were maintained in large interconnected populations of bats, so that if the virus dies out in one colony, it would be reintroduced when bats from different colonies interact. The new study indicates that a closely related virus is able to persist in a very small and isolated population of bats. This is the first time this has been documented in a natural wild population, casting doubt on current theories.

Peel added, "Although Hendra and Nipah viruses are relatively new to science, it appears that bats have lived and evolved with them over a very long time. We hope that by gaining a better understanding of this relationship, we may then be able to understand why it is only within the last 20 years that spill-over to humans has occurred."

Sonic for Aussies Only

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog, JWT Sydney and SEGA have launched a multiplatform campaign based around an augmented reality app that can be used in conjunction with out-of-home, TV, magazines, online banners and websites. The campaign has launched exclusively in Australia and the Sonic Vision app is only available in the Australian iTunes store.

The 'Sonic Vision - Catch the Blue Blur' iPhone app allows fans to capture Sonic in the real world by locating augmented reality markers around the country using built-in maps and GPS.

To catch Sonic, players can point their iPhone at a poster and a gold ring appears on screen. Sonic speeds past onscreen and players have to respond quickly to capture him. The markers also appear on websites, banners, in magazines and on TV.

SEGA is also distributing Augmented Reality Markers to bloggers and gaming websites encouraging them to be part of the campaign by voluntarily embedding the markers within their pages to attract Sonic Vision players.

Fans can also submit their points to a leaderboard and follow the progress of other players, win Sonic prizes and share their scores on Facebook.
 "JWT has recognised the rising prominence of mobile amongst gamers and created an experience that is a fitting celebration of a gaming icon like Sonic the Hedgehog," said SEGA marketing manager Neroli Baird.

The campaign also coincides with the much anticipated release of Sonic Generations for Nintendo DS, PS3, Xbox 360  PC. Sonic Generations delivers the definitive gaming experience for Sonic fans new and old and is considered the ultimate celebration of 20 Years of Sonic gaming.

Who are Australians

Who are Australians ? How do Australians see themselves? How are we as a nation, culture and society, perceived by others.

 Australia is a product of a unique blend of established traditions and new influences. The country’s original inhabitants, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, are the custodians of one of the world’s oldest continuing cultural traditions. They have been living in Australia for at least 40 000 years and possibly up to 60 000 years.

Australians like to think that we are a proud egalitarian nation, built on the backs of convicts, immigrants and farmers. We value hard work and mate ship and believe in a fair go. Sure, the tall poppy syndrome is alive and well, and we can cut somebody down very quickly, we have a habit of dumbing it down or veering towards mediocrity, in order to protect equality among all Australians.

There is a over-humility in people in Australia, where people can sometimes forget about making their own lives good, because we are trying so hard to make our community's life better.
 

We school our children with vocational training, and the Outcomes Based Education ethic, we create people who really do grow up, with the ability to think critically, and to approach life from the standpoint of generalists.
As adults the way we discuss  national issues is really impressive. Comparing the discourse we have here, to what they have in the USA and other countries around the world, is like comparing day with night. Back there in Kansas, every passionate discussion is formed in an artificial political way. Over here, in Australia, caring is a prime directive and we know how to discuss and understand the systems which are involved in the national issue which is the topic that day.

We invite immigrants to Australia, from all around the world, no matter what political or religious persuasion, they are allowed to engage in  prevailing social  political conversations and can contribute to debates and decisions which face us. As much as we love this country, none of us would pretend that we have "perfection" we are all living in a continuous experiment, hopefully refining our society for the better as we go.

Everyone is expected to uphold the principles and shared values that support the Australian way of life. These include:

• respect for equal worth, dignity and freedom of the individual
• freedom of speech and association
• freedom of religion and a secular government
• support for parliamentary democracy and the rule of law
• equality under the law
• equality of men and women
• equality of opportunity
• peacefulness
• a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces tolerance, mutual respect, and compassion for those in need. 
• Australia also holds firmly to the belief that no one should be disadvantaged on the basis of their country of birth, cultural heritage, language, gender or religious belief.

Australian SAS Special Air Service Regiment

The Special Air Service Regiment, officially abbreviated SASR but commonly known as the SAS, is a special forces unit of the Australian Army.

The Australian Special Air Service was established on 25 July 1957 as the 1st Special Air Service Company.

Only 16% of applicants will pass the SASR selection course.

Since their beginnings in 1964, the SASR has lost more men in training than in combat due to the nature of their training regime

SASR Squadrons rotated through Vietnam on one year long deployments until the last Squadron was withdrawn in October 1971. During its time in Vietnam the Regiment was extremely successful in the reconnaissance role. To their enemies, members of the regiment were known as the 'phantoms of the jungle' due to their field craft.

The Australian and New Zealand SAS killed at least 492 and as many as 598 and losing only two men killed in action and three fatalities from friendly fire.

France vs Australia

Over 45,000 Australians lost their lives on French soil in the First and Second World Wars, more than in any other country in the world.
The legacy of Australian involvement on French soil plays an important role in our bilateral relationship with France.

The Aussies named one of the main streets in the town of Peronne, Roo de Kanga, a deviation of Kangaroo, it is still named that today in their honour

France and Australia have a close relationship founded on historical contacts, shared values of democracy and human rights, substantial commercial links, and a keen interest in each other's culture.

Dialogue and practical cooperation between France and Australia has been strengthening on many fronts in recent years, including on key global security issues such as arms control and disarmament, non-proliferation and counter-terrorism. The Pacific region, where both countries have direct interests, continues to be an important focus of bilateral engagement. Commercial links are substantial and France is an increasingly important source of direct investment and technology, including in the defence sector, for Australia. Cooperation in the surveillance of valuable fisheries resources is also an area of ongoing bilateral activity.

Members of French Navy Ship La Fayette, onboard HMAS Sydney.

In 2008, it was announced that France and Australia would strengthen their defence cooperation further in the Pacific region.
The Australian Embassy in Paris administers the Australia–France Foundation, which promotes cultural exchanges between the two countries and publishes a quarterly newsletter 'L'Australie en France' promoting Australian activities in France. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Cultural Awards Scheme has also promoted cultural relations between Australia and France.

French Tourists enjoy a traditional Australian Xmas Day at the beach

Tourist links between the two countries are significant, with over 400,000 Australians visiting France each year. Approx 102,000 visitor visas were granted to French nationals to visit Australia in 2009 – 10, making France the 10th largest source of visitor visa grants, and 1,867 student visas were granted. A working holiday-maker agreement signed between the two countries in November 2003 makes it easier for young French and Australian people to spend time in each other's countries. In 2009–10, about 7000 Australian working holiday visas were granted to French nationals, making France the 7th largest source of working holiday visitors, and 483 were granted to Australians.

Queensland and Queenslanders

People from the southern states of Australia sometimes refer to Queensland as "The Deep North", in allusion to the Deep South of the United States and the socio-political stereotype associated with it. This was notably the case during the 1970s and early 1980s, when Joh Bjelke-Petersen was Premier, and again in the 1990s, when Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party from Queensland became a significant force in Australian politics.





The rivalry between the states of New South Wales and Queensland goes back over 100 years, stemming from the attitude that New South Wales was the "Mother Colony" while Queensland was viewed as a poorer cousin.

A Deep North Stereotype

This rivalry has been played out through sport over the years. In Queensland there has been a general ill-feeling over the number of sports people leaving their home state for New South Wales, particularly rugby league football players who left to play for the richer Sydney clubs. These players would then play against Queensland in interstate matches. In 1980, as a solution to this problem, the Rugby League State of Origin was created to allow Queensland players to play for their original state. This sporting contest played three times a year now exemplifies this rivalry, dominating the media and public attention in those two states during the series.

A Queenslander is born of the festering hatred, resentment, jealousy and perceived injustice, done to them by New South Wales Rugby League (blues), through out history, only those who have been crushed beneath a tyrannical oppressor's heel, can truly know this feeling.

Ah mate here we go a bloody ‘gain

The Blues are whinging and they’re crying

It makes you flaming sick ya know

But it’s a trick we just ain’t buying.

They reckon they have rookies

Who will never make the grade

We know they never had a chance

No matter who they bloody played.

The time draws near, they start to shake

That self doubt will rise again

It will grow on their subconscious

And play havoc with their brain.

Take note how people that you work with

Start avoiding all your crew

Then you realise what is happening

Their skin is turning slimy blue.

Mate this is State Of Origin

It’s a feeling you can’t hide

That tingling through your body

That unbending Queensland pride.

Your guts begin a churning

The sweat pours from your brow.

There is no sitting on the fence

It’s time to take that Queensland vow.

And the Blues they just don’t get it

They can’t understand that pride

How we can love this state so much

Just how we feel deep down inside.

The battle lines are slowly drawn

You know just what I mean

You are either with us or against us

There is bugger all in between.

So bring it on you Roaches

Feel the hatred and the fear

The battle ground will run with blood

Then you will hear our victory cheer.

“QUEENSLANDER”