ANZAC

My response to Anzac Day

ANZAC
Lest we forget.
Half way down, flags hang.
Rejoice in the Lord
to find peace
through tears of remembrance.
Diggers, women and children
march.
Crowds wave, clap, salute
as the parade glides by.

United by ANZAC forefathers.
We learn honor and courage.
Bravery demonstrated by military
yields an understanding of sacrifice.
Respect.

Lest we forget.
The legacy of the
ANZAC spirit lives.
And the youth use this lesson
to face current challenges:
tsunami, earthquakes, flooding.

In history's page let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.

This poem was written about the 96th annual ANZAC service witnessed in Launceston, TAS.  In 1915 over 8,000 Aussies and Kiwis invaded Turkey in WWI.  They all died in the Battle of Galipoli.  ANZAC stands for Australian New Zealand Army Corps.

Lawn Bowls in Longford

Thanks to Dorle for the photos!

Geoff in control of the green as Iris keeps an eye on his form.

Vivian and Iris look on as I give it a go.

Not bad for a  couple of rookies.

Thanks to Vivian, Graham, Dorle, and Iris for teaching us about the gentle game of lawn bowls.

P.S. If anyone else has photos from previous clubs or visits please send them to us. Who knows, they might make the blog.

Tarn Shelf

The Tarn Shelf

Malcom, an accomplished shutterbug and seasoned bush walker, took three members of the GSE team on a little stroll through the woods. The trek involved gale force winds, numb fingers and faces, rock scrambling, boulder hopping, and clinging on for dear life. Our journey started at the base of the mountain where  immense swamp gums and massive tree ferns dominate. Gums gave way to rain forests which ultimately yielded to the low growing alpine vegetation at higher elevations. The rugged terrain and frosty faces were worth the effort. The views of the glacial valley were spectacular, or specky in Aussie vernacular, and the Fagus added a splash of autumn color to the otherwise hazy day.

windblown but still smiling

Hands in pockets-check
Wistful look into the distance-check
Awesome view-check

Fagus in full color

What is Fagus? Accoring to the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife website, "Deciduous beech (Nothofagus gunnii), or fagus as it is best-known, a humble tree, usually growing to 2 metres or less. You find it in places most would describe as inhospitable. And one of its other names - tanglefoot - is ruefully confirmed by bushwalkers caught up in its twisted, ground-hugging branches. Yet this small Tasmanian tree can claim something few other Australian plants can. It is Australia's only winter-deciduous tree, and you will find it nowhere else in the world except Tasmania. And its autumn display is superb." 

Good thing I brought the Beanie!

A map for Dougie in Claremont

Here's a map with a few markers. Green indicates host club locations while red markers denote a few major points of interest.

View Rotary 7570 GSE to Tasmania in a larger map


Let's see how your technique works with this one Doug!

Russell Falls

Doug and Rex took a few of us for an easy trek up to Russell Falls. WOW! Insanely picturesque for such and easy walk.

Specky!

poor photo of an amazing view

Soggy Beginnings...

It started raining shortly after we arrived in Hobart last week. The rain decided to stay for a while. Actually, on Wednesday of last week, many parts of Hobart documented record rainfalls for a 24 hour period; in many cases, 50 year old records were broken. Rivers were swollen. Streams overran roads. Roads were closed. GSE members got a bit soggy but didn't melt. Mayhem and chaos ensued. Well, maybe not the mayhem and chaos part.

Regardless, we survived and had a great time with the Claremont crew. That reminds me, you all need some pictures from Russell Falls and Mt. Field National Park. (coming soon to a blog near you!) Then it was off to meet the folks at Howrah. The rain continued to follow along. Our day trips through Richmond and Campbell Town were less than idyllic but interesting and new none the less. We had very little time in Howrah but did have tea and coffee with the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Peter Underwood, (complete with tour of Government House) and we took a little drive down to Port Arthur; one of Australia's most visited historic sites. We even made the Governor's website...twice! Karen posted some photographs below.

Government House for tea and coffee with the Governor.
'ello guvnah

Port Arthur is steeped in history and is a place of legend. It's sand stone architecture (all hand crafted by the convicts) is strikingly beautiful but brings to bear a dark ominousness that is only deepened by the tragic tales of the people that shaped Australia's history. It's geography and location made walls unnecessary; there was no where to escape to if a prisoner busted out!

Port Arthur historic site

The ever present drizzle and rain added a somber note to our visit. Heck, even the mosquitoes were depressed and soggy.

depressed and soggy mozzie

Friday morning we awoke to more drizzle and headed off to meet our new hosts; the Kingston Club. However, before meeting our host families, they decided to stick us out on a island for the weekend; surrounded  by beaches, water, waves, and very few people. A little R&R after three weeks of touring was in order. 

Jawz, Lois, Paulie, and Georgia

To be brief, a lady named Lois vacated her beach house for the weekend and let us invade. There was more food in the fridge than you could shake a stick at. We got in a boat with Jawz and had a rather hair raising ride into the southern ocean. There was a guy named Paul with a haircut much like Geoff's; nice bloke. Yes, I'm skipping over a few details. The point is this, the rain departed, the sun shine returned, and I'm ready to move to Bruny Island forever. Now we're off to Kingston for a new set of host and high adventure. 

Sunday morning on Bruny Island at Adventure Bay.

Jawz...he's not just a shark in a movie!

F.Y.I.

As you know Bill is a USAF (Ret.) fighter pilot and retired as a pilot from American Airlines. Well, appearantly, our fearless and intrepid leader managed to crash the helicopter simulator on his vocational day with the Claremenot Rotary Club. Rest assured we haven't let him hear the end of it and force him to relive the experience whenever possible. This has been your F.Y.I. update...

More General Observations...

Jail = Gaol
The expression, "Bob's your Uncle," means,  "and there you have it,"or, "you're all set," or, "you're good to go."

Tea and a Tour

With the Governor of Tasmania. http://www.govhouse.tas.gov.au/

MONA

http://mona.net.au/

The Best Thing So Far

Someone asked, "What's been the best thing so far?" I couldn't come up with a solid answer. Longford was great. Freycinet and Wineglass Bay were spectacular. Deavonport, the conference, Pamela Melroy, and Narawntapu National Park were wonderful. Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake, and Marakoopa caves were like another planet. Somerset, The Nut, and Arthur River were singularly unique. Hobart, Claremont, and the falls at Mt Field National Park are spectacular in their own right.

I can't say enough about this island, its natual resources, and the uniquely beautiful places we've been.

However, there is one thing that is constant and unchanging; the people. Their hospitality is amazing. Their kindness and generosity never cease to amaze. Just the other day we had a very busy business owner drop everything he had planned for the afternoon to take us out on his boat. He took us into his home, offered us some coffee, and took us out on his new boat for a few hours. Unbelievable!

The best thing so far is the people.

General Observations

Driving/riding on the opposite side of the road takes some adjustment.
Crossing the street without native adult supervision is dicey business.
Round abouts abound...and they go to the left.
Woolworths is Wollys. Televisions are telies. Wedge tailed eagle is not a wedgies.
Diapers are napkins and napkins are serviettes.
Domestic power from an outlet is 220V.
Each outlet has a switch that allows them to be turned off individually.
Many homes have seperate toilet (water closets) and bathrooms; this makes sense on so many levels.
The funeral parlor in Longford is affectionately know as "stiffies corner." The cemetary is the "dead center of town."
Vegemite is really salty and best used in moderation and with lots of butter.
chicken = choock
check = cheque
aluminum = aluminium
rally = rallye
There's a Krispy Kreme in the Sydney airport and a John Deere dealer in Longford.
Hobart has a McDonald's, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Subway.
Biscuits = Cookies
Scones = Biscuits
Discussion of biscuits and gravy or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches illicit rather contorted facial expressions from the Tassies.
More to follow...

The Softer Side

Outskirts of Burnie.

Sleeping Wombats.

Yes, that is a camel in Tasmania.

Wings Wildlife Park is a refuge for abandoned or hurt animals that cannot be rehabilitated and returned to their native habitat.

Skinks & Snakes--Oh My!

Tasmanian Tiger Snake.

Yes, he's poisonous and yes, he's on the other side of the glass!

Glowing Butts and Forest Ballrooms

Dove Lake at Craddle Mountain

Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair National Park, itself a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. More about the walk later. For now, just photos, then off to bed. It's late...

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT believe any rumors you may have heard about Shane and a snake. I was just trying to get better angle for the photo. The snake was just being uncooperative. I had no designs or intentions to pick up or otherwise handle the wildlife. Although, I'm pretty sure Rocky thought I was going to do a Steve Irwin impersonation. 

"Crikey mate! Feisty little bugger."

Mole Creek Karst National Park

The Mole Creek Karst National Park was declared in 1996 to provide protection for some of the finest and most visited cave systems in the State, including Marakoopa. The glow-worm display in Marakoopa Cave is the largest you'll see in any public access cave anywhere in Australia. 

Important things to ponder: 

1- Ask Bill about rocks that rust due to high iron content.

2- Ask Katy which end of the glow maggots glow.

3- In the future, consult with Geoff regarding proper pant length when hiking. 

4- Ask Karen how to cure fear of snakes.

5- Be very specific with Bob when telling him how to navigate a round about.

Thanks to Rocky, Bob, Ian, and Bruce for an outstanding day.

Monotremes and Marsupials Galore!

Tasmanian Arboretum at Eugenana

Situated in the undulating hills and countryside of Eugenana, the Tasmanian Arboretum holds some 2400 trees have been planted by volunteers at this 58 hectare site, which displays some of the astonishing wealth of Tasmanian endemic trees. And that's just for starters. Their ponds have duck billed platypus. Unlike the ones in zoos and other parks, wild platypus make it difficult to get a good look. However, I did manage to get a few quick glimpses when they came to the surface to breathe.

Duck Billed Platypus
(Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Narawntapu National Park

Short trip to the National park near dusk. The pictures say it all. Well, except the part about almost being bowled over by a hungry wombat. They are like really fast tree stumps with legs.

Forester Kangaroo
(Macropus giganteus tasmaniensis)

Tasmanian Pademelon
(Thylogale billardierii)

Common Wombat
(Vombatus ursinus tasmaniensis)