North Queensland Past

Peter thought it right and proper to raise up some old pictures into the public arena, pictures gathered and supplied by the Cairns Post during its 120 year anniversary celebration (the longest continual business in Cairns), back in 2002, depicting North Queensland life, roughly one hundred years earlier in the Cairns and surrounding areas. Captions under the pictures are provided.

Building the Kuranda railway up to the Atherton Tableland c1880's

Felling a Crowsfoot Elm on the Tableland

Abbott Street, Cairns c1880's

Cairns 1925

Cairns Picture Theatre c1910

First aircraft arrival Queerah, Cairns, August 1914

Captured crocodile Innisfail c1902

The Jensen's Motor Service on the Cairns - Port Douglas run 1933

Cyclone destruction Port Douglas 1920

Free-build at Whittlesea

In the last week of the school term the Woodcraft Club kids were invited to make anything they wanted from what they found. Peter made sure there was a useful variety of blocks to pick from. The glue just held out.

Menergy Count Down to October

Peter wants to give all our blog followers a heads up about a very significant (for men) four day gathering at Licola, Victoria, in October this year, from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th of that month. For readers overseas, at least know that many brave and committed Victorian men are indeed gathering each year to do men's work like this. Men from of all ages and from all walks of life come together to experience life with other men in a much deeper way. And there is no alcohol or drugs allowed. The program has been carefully developed by Men's Wellbeing, based in Queensland, and the movement has taken off in Victoria, now in its seventh year. The Lions Club 'village' at Licola is just large enough to accomidate the expected number of men, round about two hundred. Fire and ritual is important. Self-discoveries are taken away. Men are affirmed. The Gathering is organised by a team of committed men who volunteered at the end of the previous gathering in 2017. Peter sees his committment to attend as an importent part of his service to support the powerful healing and wellbeing work alongside other men at the gathering. Wives and female partners may be the catalyst needed between men deciding to go or not. There is a cost to cover the four day journey plus the nutritious food, which might be a slug to the wallet, but men who have experienced Menergy for themselves know it is worth every dollar and they come back to keep the fire burning in their hearts. Check out the last year's promotional video.

Official Menergy Site

Whittlesea Aeroplanes

Woodcraft Club had aeroplane kits this week. The main challenge for the kids was the hammering down of the little nails. Peter provided 12 hammers so some had to wait their turn. The design was kept very simple to suit the high proportion of Foundation students. Nails would inverably bend over but most kids coped with that and over 20 planes were assembled. There was a variety of aeroplane insignia to pick from. There were three nails to negotiate and slots to easily fit the tail fins into. A good project for that age level.

At Dan and Arnny's

Before the Funks flew off yonda, Dan and Arnny opened their house for us all for another bon-voyage memorable moment. We had chicken and noodles done to perfection. Thank you Arnny. While we were there we watched France win over Australia. Ouch. That was a close one. The departure day gets closer...

Aunty Visits

Madonna paid us all a visit in order to say good-bye properly and in person before the Funks hightail to Canada. It was great to see her making the trip from Devonport, Tazzi at no small expense. Nice memories.

52 Merthyr Road

Peter once lived in a young men's hostel in New Farm, Brisbane. These images are collected from the period 1971 to 1974. Lucky you if you find yourself amongst it. It so happened that Peter's brother got hold of this collection and made a video out of them!