A Toowoomba Curiosity

Southern Cross SC-1 Prototype

I’d be surprised if you haven’t heard of Southern Cross windmills.

These iconic products were manufactured at the Toowoomba Foundry during its glory days. They’re everywhere, and were responsible to a large extent for the survival of the business during tough times.

You’re probably less familiar with the Southern Cross SC-1, which is in fact an aircraft.

I’m not talking about Smithy’s redoubtable Fokker Tri-Motor of Trans Pacific fame, but a much smaller and prettier aircraft manufactured in Toowoomba in 1961.

Another view

Back then, quite a few companies (including Victa of lawn mower fame) tested the waters around the manufacture of a locally made light aircraft. The only project that really got off the ground back then was the Victa Airtourer.

Here in sleepy old Toowoomba, however, someone had a crack.

Unfortunately it came to nothing – the Southern Cross board wimped it.

The only reminder is the prototype displayed at the Oakey Museum of Australian Army Flying. Given the appearance of the prototype, it’s a pity it didn’t proceed. Apparently it had great flying characteristics.

Blurb at the display

It’s a beautiful piece of kit, and can be seen at the museum.

Take a look at it if you’re in Toowoomba. Jellybeans in the Jungle's on sale there too, of course.

Fact Vs Fiction

The Daily Telegraph's beat-up lies about asylum seekers in community detention got a run in the national media.

It's only fair then, that the truth of the matter should also get a run. That's why I'm posting this press release from the National Refugee Council of Australia:

 The Daily Telegraph Wrong About Asylum Seekers

The claim by Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph that asylum seekers are receiving furniture welcome packs worth up to $10,000 is untrue, the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) says. RCOA chief executive officer Paul Power said people looking to The Daily Telegraph for information were being misled by a classic beat-up in the tradition of the paper’s disgraced former UK stablemate, the News of the World.

“The simple fact of the matter is that some asylum seekers are being detained in furnished houses, as an alternative to locking up children and their families for months or years in secure detention centres,” Mr Power said.

“It is simply untrue to suggest, as The Daily Telegraph has done, that the asylum seekers ‘receive’ the furnishings in the houses where they are being detained, as these furnishings remain in the place of detention when the families are moved out when their detention ends.

“Australia’s community detention system began under the Howard Government in 2005, as a response to community outrage about the indefinite detention of asylum seeker children. This article is tabloid journalism at its worst, with what appears in print bearing little resemblance to reality. Readers of The Daily Telegraph should feel angry that they are being deceived.”

Mr Power said RCOA had long advocated for the end of indefinite mandatory detention, which was a very expensive and extremely damaging approach that was not adopted in any OECD country.

“While community detention is more costly than conditional release into the community, it is far cheaper alternative than leaving asylum seekers locked up in detention centres.

“In 2010-11, keeping asylum seekers locked up in detention centres cost $772 million, an average of $137,317 per detainee.”

Mr Power said the public debate on refugee and asylum seeker policy continued to ignore the reasons why asylum seekers turned to Australia for protection.

“We’re talking about people who have fled tragedy and horror who through no fault of their own happened to live in war zones or countries terrorised by the Taliban.

“Some of us can never comprehend the pain they have endured, of seeing loved ones killed and tortured or the despair of family separation.”

Mr Power said asylum seekers arrived in Australia by boat in search of a level of protection that simply did not exist in their own country or in other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Very few countries in our region are signatories to the Refugee Convention. Countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand do not extend legal protections to asylum seekers and refugees. Refugees and asylum seekers who work illegally in Asia to support themselves face the risk of arrest and in some instances caning. Faced with no work rights and no schools to send their children, what are the choices? If countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand can offer legal protection for refugees and asylum seekers, they won’t be forced to undertake dangerous boat journeys to Australia.”

“That is why Australia must continue to engage and encourage countries in our region to bolster protections for refugees and asylum seekers.”

 

High Tide and Green Grass

Near Surat

The country I know so well is showing me a bountiful and novel aspect.

New life is everywhere. There is a quality of renewal and transformation I have never seen before. Three exceptional seasons in a row have created something amazing.

Grass is high, green is the predominant hue, and the grey/brown overcoat that has always been a feature of this country has been shed.

The cattle are fat, there are birds everywhere, and the roos and wallabies are in the scrub, not on the roads.

Less welcome are the mosquitoes and sandflies. I’ve seen mossies that are so big they resemble a new breed of stick insect, and I’ve learned to lather myself with repellent before going outdoors. I have a rare blood group that seems to attract midges, and I’m also allergic to their bites. Being hospitalised with blood poisoning from sandfly bites after a canoeing expedition in North Queensland in the eighties remains as a strong and instructive memory.

Whilst Roma, St George and Mitchell have been inundated to various degrees, the local graziers are smiling. The miners aren’t – their operations have been severely disrupted by unprecedented surface flows. It’s to be hoped that all the salty water has remained contained – but I doubt it.

Thargomindah is accessible only from South Australia and Dirranbandi is isolated. Folk in these places are used to this, and plan for it.

I’ve managed to get most of my work done by modifying my itinerary and being a bit smart with emailing and data conferencing. Many schools are still recovering from the disruptions caused by flooding and evacuations.

Generally, the kids take it in their stride.

There are kids starting Prep who by now remember nothing else but floods every summer.

This makes a change, I guess, from many who hadn’t seen real rain four years ago. The seasons cycle here every five to seven years – rather than annually.

Toowoomba Wordsmiths

This is a promo for a Toowoomba Writers' group.

Why is it here?

Because I was threatened with unspeakable violence if it was not.

Seriously -  this glorious little catalogue should be your ‘must have’ reference for 2012, the National Year of Reading. It contains local featured authors, journalists, writers, wordsmiths and their books.All tastes are catered for.

The Authors –

Yvonne Winer - writer, educator

Yvonne Winer is the author of 33 books, which include picture books, junior novels, ‘Spiders spin Webs’ series, books for reading schemes, a song book, action rhymes, craft books and several teacher resource books. She is at present co-author of a teacher resource book of Traditional Tales and has also been contracted by that same publisher to retell several tales for their reading scheme for eBooks and electronic whiteboards. She was the workshop presenter for an interesting ‘shell book’ project in Vanuatu and this resulted in 46 stories all of which have now been printed in Bislama and illustrated by local illustrators for young Vanuatu readers. Her publishers include Margaret Hamilton Books, Scholastic, Charles- bridge, Pademelon Press, Era publications, Nelson, Longman and Angus and Robertson. Contact: winery@icr.com.au

Susan Skowronski - writer, editor, publisher, blogger

Susan’s self published children’s book Farmer’s Kids has been purchased by local schools and libraries and teaching notes are available to download for free. Susan is currently editor of Scope magazine, the monthly publication of Fellowship of Australian Writers Queensland, and her work has appeared in several anthologies, most recently Battered but not Beaten - stories of the 2011 floods in Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley. Susan is working on a ‘Children and Wildlife’ series. ‘Gordon’s Big Adventure’ is now available. ‘Quentin goes Hunting’ will be released soon.  Website www.susanskowronksi.com

Janet Kieseker - marketer, writer, business developer

Janet has a background in advertising, PR and communication. In 2001, she established www.ourmarketingdepartment.com.au http://www.ourmarketingdepartment.com.au/ after making a green change from Sydney. Janet realised only recently she is a writer, albeit a commercial one, spending her work days crafting TV and radio scripts, website text, media releases, newsletters and ad copy as well as the communication strategies that underpin them. Janet is a regular contributor to Highlife Downs Living magazine and founder of www.writersweb.com.au, http://writersweb.com.au/which connects emerging writers with readers. She is planning to write her first book in 2012 and is available as a speaker. Contact: janetk@ourmarketingdepartment.com.au or info@writersweb.com.au


Emma Mactaggart - writer, publisher

Having written and self published two children’s picture books a decade ago, she has been fine tuning the methodology of creating a children’s picture book ever since. The outcome: a program Child Writes, which is delivered in schools to primary school aged children. Graduates then have their books published by Boogie Books. Emma is also co-founder of writers‟ web, connecting readers and writers. She is represented by agency Speakers Ink. To celebrate NYR 2012, she has polished a workshop ‘Where do Ideas come from?’ (40 minutes / 80 minutes). Contact: em@boogiebooks.com.au

Carmel Rowley - author, blogger, publisher

Author and independent publisher of two adult fiction and one children’s book, Carmel Rowley has always loved horses; owning and breeding purebred Arabians since 1975. Riding and breeding horses became the impetus for publishing articles about the Arabian breed in Australian and overseas publications. A fascination for people and what motivates their life journey initially sparked the idea for the ‘Daughters of the Wind’ series, a first of it’s kind. ‘Tails Carried High’ and ‘Voices in the Wind’ has sold prolifically around the world, USA, Canada, Poland, Germany, England, Egypt, South Africa, New Zealand and continues to sell in Australia. Contact Carmel: carmel@carmelrowley.com.au

Robyne Matthews - designer, illustrator

Drawing on her extensive experience in photo editing, illustration and graphic design, Robyne branched into book cover and page design when she teamed up with local writer, Carmel Rowley in 2010. Since then Robyne has gone on to more cover designs and further training in manuscript preparation and scripting. Robyne is passionate about articulate design, and as a budding writer herself she under- stands that readers do tend to judge a book by its cover. Whether you have a design idea in mind or not, Robyne is happy to discuss your needs, without obligation, so you can plan ahead for publication. Phone: 0423 538 004. Email: 9Livesstudio@iinet.net.au

Breanda Cross - author

Writing began as a uni student where I became a flagrant professional student, gaining degrees in many useless disciplines, then writing about their inadequacies in journals. As part of a trio, I then turned to Mills and Boon, until the tendency to constantly kill off the hero, led to crime writing and participation in the Crime Writers Queensland anthologies. My Clauseou-type female character called Wannabe Bond appeared in many issues of Bullet, and later, a script and novel dealing with the Sydney Razor Gangs. More recently, a compendium on the Toowoomba floods has preceded an autobiography called My Death Diary. crimewithoutgrime@gmail.com

Steven West - author “What Happens When We Die”

Steven West is a retired Ambulance Officer and has written a booklet about his own near death experience and many others he has witnessed throughout his career. As well, he enjoys talking to groups on this subject. Contact Steven at www.heavenhereafter.com http://www.heavenhereafter.com/and whathappens.west@gmail.com

Bob Whittaker - author “Jellybeans in the Jungle”

Bob Whittaker is a retired school principal and semi-retired educational consultant who writes because he enjoys it. He independently published his first book in September 2011, and has already sold enough copies to cover publishing costs. He is learning on the job about marketing and promotion. Bob enjoys talking about writing, promotion and publishing and researching war history. He is available for speaking engagements through rwhittak@bigpond.net.au

The Books –

Eric the Echidna Has Lost His Spikes RRP $20.00

Children will love the beautifully illustrated pencil drawings that recreate the Australian bush and animals. Designed for 0-5years or early readers 6-8years. Eric the Echidna is a story about an Echidna who gets caught in a storm and loses his spikes. Journey with Eric and meet some of his friends, Derek the Dingo, Karl the Kookaburra and Cedric the Crocodile as they discover what it means to share. This locally produced, printed and published children’s book by Debrah Pacholke is available at Mary Ryan book store or visit www.erictheechidna.blogspot.com

Jellybeans in the Jungle (RRP $25.00)

This book is one man’s attempt to make sense of his experience as a conscripted soldier during Australia’s war in Vietnam. This book tells the story of his recruit training, and his posting to an infantry battalion which was deployed to Vietnam in 1970. He describes his service, punctuated by some grim encounters with both enemy and friendly troops, his R & R in Bangkok, and finally his return to Australia and his rehabilitation as a teacher of children with disabilities. Jellybeans in the Jungle is available from Mary Ryan’s Bookstore locally and on-line at http://jellybeansinthejungle.blogspot.com.au/

Child Writes - Creating a Children's Picture Book is Childs Play RRP: $29.95

How long have you held the dream of creating a children’s picture book? Whether you intend to give the gift of words and images in book form to your loved ones, write the next children’s bestseller; or help others to bring their ideas to life—Child Writes is a step-by-step guide to creating a children’s picture book. It provides comprehensive, commonsense and creative inspiration for anyone who has ever wanted to make a picture book.

www.writersweb.com.au or Mary Ryan's Bookstore (April 2012)

Battered but not Beaten: Flood Anthology RRP: $15.00

Battered but not Beaten is a collection of reports, accounts, stories, poems and first hand experiences of the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley 2011 flood, exemplifying the Aussie Battler spirit that rose against extraordinary adversity. The anthology is available from Mary Ryan Bookstore and the Toowoomba Visitor Centre.

Tails Carried High Book one in the "Daughters of the Wind‟ series RRP $29.95

After her mother’s death, Jessikah Lloyd throws caution to the wind, leaving England in search of her family history in Queensland, Australia. As disturbing secrets are revealed, Jessikah learns that, had her mother remained in Australia, she would have been the fourth generation in a long line of Arabian horse breeders. Jessikah finds the ego-driven world of the Arabian horse industry fascinating, but what she longs to know eludes her. How did her grandmother Emma Hagen die twenty-five years ago? When good-looking Marc Carey agrees to help her in her search for the truth, it’s not long before both Marc and the Arabian horse become irresistible. It is time to unlock the family secrets. www.carmelrowley.com.au,  

Dymocks, Toowoomba, www.equitainment.com.au

Voices in the Wind Book two in the "Daughters of the Wind‟ series RRP $26.95

The persistent neighing of horses resonated on the soft wind. Was it a warning or a reminder for Jessikah to heed caution and remember the past? Jessikah Lloyd is devoted to breeding Arabian horses. But a sequence of events, during the holiday of a lifetime, will alter her life forever. A mysterious incident in Venice is followed by the passion of the Palio in Siena. At a major German Arabian horse

show, events take a darker turn. Nothing can prepare Jessikah’s family for a deathbed revelation, linked to an old betrayal, or the traumatic events that follow. From the black soil valleys of Australia’s Darling Downs, the green hills of the Loire Valley, Venice’s antiquity and the rush of Siena’s Palio comes the next instalment in The "Daughters of the Wind" series.

www.carmelrowley.com.au, Dymocks, Toowoomba, www.equitainment.com.au

Danika and Yatimah From Egypt to the Outback RRP $16.95

Living on a vast cattle station in outback Australia, Yatimah is Danika’s grey Arabian mare. She is the most beautiful, intelligent, and loved horse on Dalry Station. To Danika, Yatimah is perfect. The first time Danika saw Yatimah, she gleamed silver-grey against the red outback soil. She galloped into her life and stole her heart, beginning a special friendship. Little did Danika know the finely-made Arabian mare would prove to be as brave and true as her heritage suggested. Share in the beauty, excitement, danger, fun, and friends, with Danika’s and Yatimah's outback adventures... www.carmelrowley.com.au, 

Dymocks, Toowoomba, www.equitainment.com.au

Gordon the Golden-Tailed Gecko RRP $9.95

Gordon the Golden-tailed Gecko lived happily in the forest at Allies Creek with his friends Gilroy and Gertrude. One day during a game of hide and seek, Gordon hid in a very dangerous place and was carried away on a big adventure. Without the responsible actions of three caring children Gordon may never have returned home.

Farmer’s Kids - A collection of Humourous Stories of Farm Life RRP$14.95

This collection of short stories and poems will make you fall in love with young Doreen growing up as a younger member of a large rural family in the nineteen fifties. She and her slightly older brother Dougie are allowed to tag along with the older boys, sometimes encouraged but often barely tolerated. There’s always something to smile about whether the kids are making a pipe, driving a truck or building a billy- cart. Although the stories are fiction, they really could have happened to anyone.

Child Writes - Creating a Children’s Picture Book is Childs Play RRP: $29.95

How long have you held the dream of creating a children’s picture book? Whether you intend to give the gift of words and images in book form to your loved ones, write the next children’s bestseller; or help others to bring their ideas to life—Child Writes is a step-by-step guide to creating a children’s picture book. It provides comprehensive, commonsense and creative inspiration for anyone who has ever wanted to make a picture book.

www.writersweb.com.au or Mary Ryan’s Bookstore (April 2012)

Battered but not Beaten: Flood Anthology RRP: $15.00

Battered but not Beaten is a collection of reports, accounts, stories, poems and first hand experiences of the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley 2011 flood, exemplifying the Aussie Battler spirit that rose against extraordinary adversity. The anthology is available from Mary Ryan Bookstore and the Toowoomba Visitor Centre

Tails Carried High Book one in the „Daughters of the Wind‟ series RRP $29.95

After her mother’s death, Jessikah Lloyd throws caution to the wind, leaving England in search of her family history in Queensland, Australia. As disturbing secrets are revealed, Jessikah learns that, had her mother remained in Australia, she would have been the fourth generation in a long line of Arabian horse breeders. Jessikah finds the ego-driven world of the Arabian horse industry fascinating, but what she longs to know eludes her. How did her grandmother Emma Hagen die twenty-five years ago? When good-looking Marc Carey agrees to help her in her search for the truth, it’s not long before both Marc and the Arabian horse become irresistible. It is time to unlock the family secrets. www.carmelrowley.com.au, Dymocks, Toowoomba, www.equitainment.com.au

Voices in the Wind Book two in the "Daughters of the Wind‟ series RRP $26.95

The persistent neighing of horses resonated on the soft wind. Was it a warning or a reminder for Jessikah to heed caution and remember the past? Jessikah Lloyd is devoted to breeding Arabian horses. But a sequence of events, during the holiday of a lifetime, will alter her life forever. A mysterious incident in Venice is followed by the passion of the Palio in Siena. At a major German Arabian horse show, events take a darker turn. Nothing can prepare Jessikah’s family for a deathbed revelation, linked to an old betrayal, or the traumatic events that follow. From the black soil valleys of Australia’s Darling Downs, the green hills of the Loire Valley, Venice’s antiquity and the rush of Siena’s Palio comes the next instalment in The Daughters of the Wind series.

www.carmelrowley.com.au,  Dymocks, Toowoomba, www.equitainment.com.au

Danika and Yatimah From Egypt to the Outback RRP $16.95

Living on a vast cattle station in outback Australia, Yatimah is Danika’s grey Arabian mare. She is the most beautiful, intelligent, and loved horse on Dalry Station. To Danika, Yatimah is perfect. The first time Danika saw Yatimah, she gleamed silver-grey against the red outback soil. She galloped into her life and stole her heart, beginning a special friendship. Little did Danika know the finely-made Arabian mare would prove to be as brave and true as her heritage suggested. Share in the beauty, excitement, danger, fun, and friends, with Danika’s and Yatimah's outback adventures... www.carmelrowley.com.au, Dymocks, Toowoomba, www.equitainment.com.au

Gordon the Golden-Tailed Gecko RRP $9.95

Gordon the Golden-tailed Gecko lived happily in the forest at Allies Creek with his friends Gilroy and Gertrude. One day during a game of hide and seek, Gordon hid in a very dangerous place and was carried away on a big adventure. Without the responsible actions of three caring children Gordon may never have returned home. Website www.susanskowronksi.com


 Farmer’s Kids - A collection of Humourous Stories of Farm Life RRP$14.95

This collection of short stories and poems will make you fall in love with young Doreen growing up as a younger member of a large rural family in the nineteen fifties. She and her slightly older brother Dougie are allowed to tag along with the older boys, sometimes encouraged but often barely tolerated. There’s always something to smile about whether the kids are making a pipe, driving a truck or building a billy- cart. Although the stories are fiction, they really could have happened to anyone.

Oh No - Not Coathangers!

Much of the outrage media is best ignored, but this demands a response.

Reading the bigoted responses of many posting on the Shockjock blogosphere reminds me of the sound track of "Til Death Us Do Part".

If the silly buggers took a deep breath and had a quiet logical thought (unlikely of course) they'd quickly realise that community detention is a great deal cheaper than banging asylum seekers up in godforsaken compounds offshore - but the outrage media has never let the facts get in the way of a good tantrum.

The piece of cartoon above is probably the best response, but Crikey (where the pic originates) puts it well.

More Likely?

My son posted this on Facebook.

I don't know where he found it, but it makes a great deal of sense.

National Anthem

 

I don't know about you, but after years of singing "Advance Australia Fair", usually with school kids, I'm finding that it eventually begins to resemble a dirge, rather than an anthem.

Without casting scorn on the sentiments contained in its words, the tune, let's face it, is nothing to write home about.

Have a look at this. I don't care much for Adam Hills, but the treatment of the song - well it works, sort of.

To be frank, I would always have preferred "I Am Australian".

Then, of course, there's always this. They're obviously enjoying it -