Date: June 12th 2009

Westprint Friday Five June 12, 2009 

Included this week are:

·        Trip Notes

·        Lyndhurst Hotel Birthday Party

·        Latest South Australia Desert Parks information. 

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Friday Five 12.06.09 

Books are allocated on a first-come first serve basis. To reserve your copy of any of the following books please email info@westprint.com.au with the title you are interested in. All emails will be answered during the following week, either with details of how to pay, or a ‘sorry, the item has already sold’ email. Where possible, postage on multiple items will be recalculated to offer you the best price.  

Pre-stocktake Specials (good books we have too many of).  

1. The Other Enemy. Glenn Wahlert. This well presented hardcover book is the first study of Australia’s military police. From the profound, sometimes violent enmity between the provosts and the Anzacs during World War I, when the former became known as the ‘other enemy’ to the much improved situation in WWII when the role of provosts evolved from being primarily concerned with discipline into a combat-support role that involved hazardous front-line service. Normally $54.45, six copies available at $36.00 including post.

2. Those Who Remain Will Always Remember. A collection of Aboriginal stories and writing. Poems, legends, song lyrics and commentaries. Normally $32.45 including post, six copies available at $22.00 including post.

3. 4WD Treks Close to Sydney. Craig Lewis and Cathy Savage. Explore 15 of the best 4WD day and weekend destinations around the Sydney region. Normally $34.45 inc post. One copy only available at $20.00 including post, cover slightly damaged. 

4. The Heysen Trail. Terry Lavender. Walks and Walking Guides along the Heysen Trail. Terry Lavender OA is the designer and architect of the Heysen Trail, which begins at Parachilna and winds 1500 kilometres through South Australia to Cape Jervis. Normally $32.45 including post. Four copies of volume 3, Parachilna to Crystal Brook $20.00 inc post, one copy of volume 1, Tanunda to Cape Jervis $20.00 inc post.

5. The Flying Nun. Sister Ann Maree Jensen with Jeanne Ryckmans. Baseball  cap, riding boots and a Cessna are not normally part of the image that comes to mind when we think of a nun – but then Sister Anne Maree Jensen’s ‘Aerial ministry’ is not a conventional calling either. This is not just Sister Anne Maree’s story, it is also the story of the many women to whom her life and work are devoted. Normally $34.45 including post. Ten copies available $26.00 inc post. 

Postage Rates. These items will usually not be found on our website. Orders will be supplied on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis. Westprint normal postage rates are now $8.50 for one book, $11.00 for two books, $13.00 for 3 or more books. Free post applies to orders of more than $150.00. Postage rates apply to Australia only. Airmail postage rates apply to overseas orders. 

An important message.

Please note that the opinions and articles included in the Friday Five are not necessarily those of the Westprint mob. Nor do we endorse products (other than our own) listed in contributed articles.

Friday Forum

Jo’s forum comments in green.  

Lyndhurst Hotel turns 21 

Lyndhurst hotel turns 21 on the 9th of July 2009 and celebrations are planned for the 18th July 2009.

Lyndhurst hotel was first licensed on 8th December 1896 and opened on 31st December 1896. The original building was moved from Mount Freeling Station to Lyndhurst by donkey drays by John Henry Edwards the first licensee.

Many colourful characters have passed through the hotel over the years both as publicans and patrons alike. Probably the two most memorable was publican Allen Dunn (Dunny), famous for the nude photo of him lying on the bar. However it is Rowdy and Del MacDonald who are best remembered for their stint as publicans. Tragedy struck at 4.05 pm on Wednesday 13th January 1988 when fire destroyed the original building. Rowdy and Del resolved to rebuild and with their band of merry helpers did so in record time. They purchased a disused building from Moomba and transported it by roadtrain to Lyndhurst and proceeded to turn this building into the new Lyndhurst hotel. During the rebuilding they continued to operate their hotel from the Lyndhurst community hall.

After months of planning and building they opened the new Lyndhurst hotel at 4.05pm on the 9th July 1988. A huge task completed and celebrated by a huge opening party with well wishers from around Australia.

Many more additions have been added over the years in the form of additional accommodation buildings, Caravan Park and most recently the Lyndhurst Tyre Service.

Today Lyndhurst hotel remains one of the icon hotels of the outback, popular with locals, truckies and tourists.

Current publican Adrian Kellow invites all past, present and anyone else to join in and celebrate the 21st birthday on 18th July 2009. Planned for the day starting at 12 noon are a modified cricket game, BBQ and music to dance the night away. Special guest will be Rowdy MacDonald along with plenty more past and present patrons. 

Join us for what promises to be another memorable night at the Lyndhurst hotel. For more information contact the hotel on 08 86757781

Information – Connie Sue/Great Central Road

·        Last week we did a run out to Warburton and down the Connie Sue Hwy. The Connie Sue has just about every kind of road surface that you could imagine - excellent for first 70km from Warburton, then washouts, detours, scrub overhanging the track and long stretches of corrugations. The WA section of Great Central Road from Warburton to NT border is in good condition.  Northern Territory is finally doing work on their part of the road from Docker River to Kata Tjuta.  Most of it is in excellent condition at present but may break up with heavy traffic during the tourist season. David

Information - Tanami 

·        Re Tanami query. I have been over it close to 20 times.  Track is always a bit rough on western end, but like a rough three-lane highway most otherwise from the mines eastward. Tarmac for last 190 km or so close to. Tilmouth Well road house - good camping and excellent food. Camping sites as such are rare - but unofficially at western end at Wolf Crater and various good sites hidden behind low hills from about 70-150 km east of Halls Creek mainly on northern side of the track. Many just camp off the track.  Do not camp near Rabbit Flat - is a disgusting mess.  Rabbit Flat is OK but have heard rumour they no longer allow camping. Others may know as we have not been on the track for some months. Fair amount of traffic from Halls Creek to Balgo community - spare from there to the mines - then fair bit to Alice. Collyn.

Information – Granite Peak

·        Maureen requested information on Granite peak Station. I know it well and the people there. No you cannot get fuel diesel or petrol there you will have to refuel at Wiluna or Carnegie. There is a road charge of $20.00 per vehicle. You cannot get fuel at Glen Ayle either. You need a permit to go to the Carnarvon Range; it has recently been included in a native title determination. Joe. East Victoria Park, WA  

The Night Watch

© Milton Owen

Watching the cattle at night was an unpopular and sometimes dangerous job for drovers. All hands except the cook had to do their share.

Each watch was about two hours, maybe more depending on the weather and time of sunset/sunrise. On a wet stormy night, or when the cattle were unsettled, the number of men on each watch would be doubled.

Night horses with keen sight and hearing, and a special understanding of the habits of the mob would be used during the watches. These horses were the cream of the droving plant and fussed over by the boss drover.

Normally the horse tailer took the first watch and the Boss the last, allowing each of these key men a chance of an unbroken nights sleep.

Men on watch were encouraged to sing. This alerted the cattle to the approach of horse and rider and prevented the cattle taking sudden fright. It reassured the Boss too – if he woke and heard singing, he would know his watchman was not asleep.

Bob Lunney describes his first night watch in his book Fifteen Hundred Down the Murranji. “Les, (the boss drover) had told me to keep moving around the cattle at a slow walk, keeping out about 10 yards, singing, talking or whistling all the time. Most people think this is done to soothe the resting cattle, but for the life of me I cannot see how the caterwauling noise that most of us made could soothe a dead horse let alone live cattle. It appeared to work however, because if the terrible noise were to stop, it only took about ten minutes or so for the cattle to start stirring.”

When watching, the drovers had to know and listen for the language of the mob. Sighs and friendly moans meant no trouble. Constant bellowing indicated thirsty and unsettled cattle.

Information wanted – Anne Beadell Highway

·        We are planning to cross the Anne Beadell Highway in mid July, towing a sturdy camper trailer. Just wondering if anyone has been across lately and can give us some current info? Road conditions, things to look at etc. Gayle

Desert Parks Bulletin

·        The full bulletin updated on 5th June can be found on our website.

LAKE EYRE NATIONAL PARK

Water is continuing to enter Lake Eyre.  Unless further rains fall in the catchment, Lake Eyre will not fill.  It is likely that evaporation rates and soakage is greater than the current inflow into Lake Eyre, so the water level may have already reached its peak level.  Water is approximately 100 metres from Halligan Bay.  The water should still be visible for a number of months.  To get the best perspective of Lake Eyre, it is best seen from the air.  Local charters are available at William Creek and Marree.

If you decide to travel in the following areas you should ensure your vehicles are properly prepared and equipped for outback travel and any emergencies. Take extra water, food and fuel supplies. Ensure good communications equipment. Notify a responsible person of your plans prior to travelling.  No fires at Lake Eyre.

Halligan Bay Track – Open to 4WD with caution.  Level Post Bay Track – Open to 4WD with caution.  These tracks are declared Public Access Routes.  They are bush tracks, not roads.  Both tracks are deteriorating due to increased traffic, so be aware of corrugations and bulldust holes. Please drive to track conditions. Driving on the Lake surface is an offence and dangerous. 4WD only.  Trailers and caravans are not recommended.  No camping at Level Post Bay – camping at Muloorina campground. Camping fees at Muloorina are not included in the Desert Parks Pass. Desert Parks pass or day pass is required for Halligan Bay track.

INNAMINCKA REGIONAL RESERVE

Visitor sites at Innamincka and Coongie Lakes will be redeveloped in the coming months.  Please be cautious of heavy machinery and sorry for any inconveniences as we improve visitor facilities. Entry to Innamincka Regional Reserve requires a day/camping permit or a Desert Parks Pass.  

Coongie Track, Walkers Crossing Track, 15 Mile Track and Access to Cooper Creek, Cullyamurra Track are all open.

Bore Track – Open. Contact Bollards Lagoon (61 8 8091 3873) prior to crossing private land. 

WITJIRA NATIONAL PARK and the SIMPSON DESERT RESERVES

Witjira National Park – Open to 4WD with caution. There is minor erosion along some sections of roads so use caution – grading will occur soon so be aware of a grader along roads.  Visitors should purchase permits or Desert Parks Passes before travelling to Witjira.  Spring Creek Delta is permanently closed; use the by-pass road east of Dalhousie Springs.

Check local conditions before travelling. Call the Desert Parks hotline on 1800 816 078.   Camping is restricted to Dalhousie Springs, 3 O’clock Creek and Purni Bore while within Witjira National Park.  Trailers are not recommended east of Dalhousie Springs.

 Simpson Desert – Open to 4WD only.  No access/exit via Warburton Crossing.

Access/exit via the QAA line is open by a sign-posted detour at Eyre Creek.  The first few sand dunes west of the K1/Rig Road intersection along the Rig Road are difficult to traverse and may cause problems for drivers. The eastern side of sand dunes are becoming quite steep so extra care must be taken when crossing dunes.  The use of trailers in the Simpson Desert is strongly discouraged.  

Visitors are advised to drive in a convoy, carry a HF radio or sat phone and limit the total load of their vehicles. However, do take extra reserves of fuel, food and water. Check local conditions before travelling in the area. Satellite phones are available to hire for Simpson Desert trips from Mt Dare Hotel and the Wirrari Tourism Centre in Birdsville.

Warburton Crossing – Closed due to flooding until further notice. 

For further information on SA Desert Parks and Far Northern South Australian road and track access, please call the Desert Parks toll free hotline on 1800 816 078. 

Help Map Rabbits across Australia

·        2009 is the 150th anniversary of the release of wild rabbits on Australian soil. In 1859, 21 European rabbits were released near Geelong later becoming one Australia’s worst biological scourges. RabbitScan, a national program to survey the extent and impact of rabbits, aims to collect over 5,000 surveys across Australia to gain an in-depth understanding of the problem in 2009. We encourage all individuals, families, community groups and schools to join the program and undertake a brief survey in their local area. This involves recording a few brief measures of rabbits and the location on a digital map. Visit www.rabbitscan.net.au for more information regarding the program and to register to participate. A short video of the launch of RabbitScan is available at: http://www.efarming.com.au/News/agricultural/04/03/2009/44943/scientists-use-web-to-capture-rabbit-numbers.html
The RabbitScan initiative was conceived by Rabbit Management Advisory Group and the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IACRC). The project is sponsored by Santos, Elders, Australian Wool Innovation and Spatial Vision. 

Friday Funnies 

Rural Australian Computer Terminology
LOG ON: Adding wood to make the barbie hotter.
LOG OFF: Not adding any more wood to the barbie.
MONITOR: Keeping an eye on the barbie.
DOWNLOAD: Getting the firewood off the Ute.
HARD DRIVE: Making the trip back home without any cold tinnies.
KEYBOARD: Where you hang the Ute keys.
WINDOW: What you shut when the weather's cold.
SCREEN: What you shut in the mozzie season.
BYTE: What mozzies do.
MEGABYTE: What Townsville mozzies do.
CHIP: A bar snack.
MICROCHIP: What's left in the bag after you've eaten the chips.
MODEM: What you did to the lawns.
LAPTOP: Where the cat sleeps.
SOFTWARE: Plastic knives & forks you get at Red Rooster.
HARDWARE: Stainless steel knives & forks - from K-Mart.
MOUSE: The small rodent that eats the grain in the shed.
MAINFRAME: What holds the shed up.
WEB: What spiders make.
WEBSITE: Usually in the shed or under the verandah.
SEARCH ENGINE: What you do when the Ute won't go.
CURSOR: What you say when the Ute won't go.
YAHOO: What you say when the Ute does go.
UPGRADE: A steep hill.
SERVER: The person at the pub who brings out the counter lunch.
MAIL SERVER: The bloke at the pub who brings out the counter lunch.
USER: The neighbour who keeps borrowing things.
NETWORK: What you do when you need to repair the fishing net.
INTERNET: Where you want the fish to go.
NETSCAPE: What the fish do when they discover the hole in the net.
ONLINE: Where you hang the washing.
OFFLINE: Where the washing ends up when the pegs aren't strong enough.

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Cheers for now,

Jo

 

 

 

 

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