Date: June 19th 2009

Westprint Friday Five June 19, 2009 

Included this week are:

·        Trip Notes – Halligan Bay & Goog’s Track

·        Back To Nhill

·        Measuring the sky in degrees

 

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Friday Five 19.06.09

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. Bee Hill River Man, Kandulangu-bidi. Jack McPhee & Patricia Konigsberg. Jack McPhee was born in 1905 in the Pilbara. This book is his memories of the region in the early 1900s. Another account of his life is in the book Wanamurraganya by Sally Morgan (now out of print). Contains index, maps, glossary of Aboriginal and English place names and the Literal Translations. One copy only left $25.00 including post.

2. The Battle of Vinegar Hill. Lynette Ramsay Silver. Australia’s Irish Rebellion. Among the petty criminals transported to Australia were men whose crimes were purely political. The resentment of these Irish political prisoners knew no bounds. Many were infuriated by the lack of official records and the resulting injustice and confusion over the length of their sentences. Realising the impossibility of returning home to Ireland they created a state of constant unrest, eventually attempting to lay siege to the new colony. One copy only in stock, may be able to get more. $48.00 including post.

3. Growing Up Keytetye. Stories by Tommy Kngwarraye Thompson. Contains legends, games and songs of the Kaytetye people (Barrow Creek area) in both English and Kaytetye. Explains social groupings (skin names) and how each group relates to each other. Detailed glossary, explanations of Aboriginal pronunciation. Normally $34.45 including post, two copies available at $26.00 including post. 

4. Outback Heart. Joanne van Os. The story of life with Rod Ansell. I recently read this book and was fascinated. To me the story of how a bloke who became a legend as ‘the original Crocodile Dundee’ eventually ended his life in a police shoot-out in Darwin wasn’t the main story. The real story was Territory life as a modern day bull catcher and cattle musterer. A look at a life most of us will never experience. Normally 44.00 including post, three copies available at $38.00 including post.

5. Marree and the Tracks Beyond in Black and White. Lois Litchfield. A history of the Birdsville Track. Contains photos, station logs, local anecdotes and news extracts. An excellent book. Normally $54.45 including post, 10 copies available at $47.00 including 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.  

Back To Nhill 

·        The Nhill community are hosting Back To Nhill celebrations in October this year. All past community members are welcome as are any new visitors to the town. Any of the Friday Five crew who were at our Gathering a few years back will remember the unique local talents at our concert. The concert troupe will be back! You have been warned, mark it in your diaries. The program is still a work in progress but there are a number of exciting events. The item we are most excited about is the Fly-In to be held at the Nhill Aerodrome on Saturday October 17. Negotiations are underway for a number of static displays, as well as a couple of warbirds flying in for the day. Stay tuned. Program is as follows (subject to c). 

Preliminary Events prior to Back to Nhill

Friday 9th October, 2009. 4.00 ~ 8.00p.m. Nhill College School Fete. Tea available

Saturday 10th October, 2009. 11.30a.m. Golf, Ladies’ & Men’s stroke event

Bowls, Tennis, Cricket:

8.00p.m. Movies at Nhill Memorial Community Centre

8.00p.m. Old Time Dance at St. Georges Hall

Official Back to Nhill Program.

Sunday 11th October, 2009

6.30 ~ 10.00a.m. ABC “Macca” (tbc)

10.30am Ecumenical Church Service

12.30 ~ 2.30p.m. BBQ Lunch  and Official Opening. Jaypex Park

2.30 p.m. Devonshire Afternoon Tea. Winiam Hall

Monday 12th October, 2009

Senior Citizens Club Luncheon. Carpet Bowls and cards.

8.00p.m. Old Time Ball at the Nhill Memorial Community Centre

Tuesday 13th October, 2009

Luncheon Nhill Fire Brigade Ladies

7.30p.m. Nhill Sporting Club Reunion.

7.30p.m. Nhill College Music Concert at the Nhill Memorial Community Centre

8.00p.m. Lowan Lodge Meeting

Wednesday 14th October, 2009

Nhill Cemetery Walk

10.00a.m. Probus Meeting, all welcome. St. George’s Hall

10.00am. Golf. Ladies’ & Mens’ Stableford event

Church Guilds, Bowls

6.30p.m. Rotary Club Meeting, Lions Club Meeting

Thursday 15th October, 2009

125th Annual A & P Society Show

Friday 16th October, 2009

GJ Coles ~ Diapur (tbc)

2.00 ~ 6.00 p.m. Lorquon Back To. Yanac Back to Sports, Broughton Open Hall, Woorak Back To.

7.30p.m. Time to Dine. Pete McPheat & band

8.00p.m. Old Time Dance ~ Lutheran Hall

Saturday 17th October, 2009

10.00a.m. Street Procession

11.00 a.m. Nhill Golf Club Annual Spring Tournament.

Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre “Fly In” at Nhill Aerodrome

8.00p.m. Combined Rural Concert. Past and present talents

Sunday 18th October, 2009. 7.30a.m. Nhill Fire Brigade. Breakfast Reunion

11.00a.m. Nhill Golf Club. 4 Person Ambrose

 

Urea/Uric Acid 

Further to our story about Landells, camels, rum and uric acid… 

·        The active substance for toughening skin is UREA and is quite different from uric acid. Urea is soluble in water (and urine) while uric acid crystallises readily especially at room temperature. It is what causes a specimen of urine to go cloudy when it has been sitting in a specimen bottle on the sink! It is also the reason Uric Acid Kidney stones can form in individual who have too high a blood-level of Uric Acid.

It is which Urea is the active ingredient of various creams such as Calmurid, Urederm, Eulactyl etc.

When I can find my old Biochemistry textbook, I will be able to explain how each is produced but the simplest answer is that they both are derived from protein metabolism but are otherwise quite different.

I was first introduced to the practice of using urine to toughen the skin when I worked as a Builder’s Labourer during Uni holidays. I worked with a German bloke who told me that was the thing to do – I thought he was crazy and must have had some dubious habits and ideas about hygiene! Consequently, I was the one with blisters! Malcolm. 

Information Wanted – Bourke Development Road. 

I am looking for information on the "Bourke Development Road" from Chillagoe to Karumba". In particular the creek crossings at the Karumba end. Are they sand or made crossings? Also the general state of the road.  Bill 

Information Wanted – CSR and Rudall River

·        Cant wait ,all the permits are in and 2 weeks untill we head nor west to the Canning Stock Route. One question, could someone give me some idea as to which, if any wells are not worth seeing??

We are also planning to venture into The Rudall N.P, any recent visitors with info will be appreciated. Jim

Good Blokes and Bush Aussies

The following obituary comes from the ABC Radio website. For a full report http://www.abc.net.au/corp/communications/s2590534.htm 

Ian Tinney 'Tin', as he was known to friends, died in Toowoomba, on May 9, 2009. He had a varied career with the ABC in Queensland, at one time being breakfast presenter at Longreach. Among his interests were wandering the Queensland Outback and the history of droving and early European settlers.

In 2001 he moved to Crow's Nest and became a member of the Crow's Nest Rural Fire Brigade, taking on the job as the brigade communications officer. The firefighters nicknamed him the "voice". They knew that the person operating the command radio was a true professional. Tin became the brigade secretary in 2005 and held that position until he passed away.

It is only now the truth can be told about his generosity. Tin donated the new Communications Centre at Crow's Nest to the volunteers in the community. He oversaw its construction and quietly stood at the opening as the anonymous donor was praised by Members of Parliament and senior Emergency Services officers. Little did anyone realise that the skinny firefighter in the clown suit, as he called it, was responsible.

Ian Tinney was a strong supporter of the Drovers Camp at Camooweal. He took part in an expedition with poet and former drover Bruce Simpson and others to seek the site of Leichhardt's last camp. Over the years he collaborated with Bruce to produce books and audio material dealing with the Outback and early settlers.

Tinney helped to meticulously record and sometimes restore the gravesites of those who pioneered European settlement in the Outback. He became known as one of the 'grave historians' and was insistent that the pioneer settlers should not be forgotten. Interviewed in 2002, Tinney commented: "We owe it to ourselves to take a certain amount of pride in keeping these things alive and understand the depth of our history." 

Trip Notes – Goog’s Track Map.

·        Unleaded petrol and diesel are now available at Kingoonya. There are self service (only) pumps behind the pub (on the site of the old camping area) that work on a swipe credit card and a PIN (Mastercard and Visa only, as I remember). The 38 km distance the map indicates from Tarcoola to the Malbooma intersection seems closer to 48 km. (One starts to worry when you’re not familiar with a track and it hasn’t come up after 40 km. or more.) Jim.

Thanks for the information. We rely on people letting us know about alterations needed to, or mistakes on our maps. John would like to travel around and check every road, but it’s a big country (and a small Westprint budget). We will check out the distance on the map before it is reprinted.

Lake Eyre - Halligan Bay Track

As of two weeks ago, recent rain has turned the bulldust to mud – some creeks were still running into the lake. That said, it does dry out quickly but it’s bound to be even rougher when it does dry out. Jim

Stargazing: Measuring the sky in degrees. 

·        When astronomers talk about the size of an object in the sky, they measure it in degrees or fractions thereof, called minutes. For example: Across the sky dome there are 180° of sky visible if we have a perfect horizon all round. From the horizon to directly overhead is 90°. A simple way of roughly measuring the sky is to use your outstretched hand at arm’s length. An outstretched hand span is about 25°. A clenched fist is about 10° across, while your finger usually covers 1°. As a guide the distance between the pointers is 4°. From The Australian Guide to Stargazing

Friday Funnies 

·        Young William moved to WA and bought a donkey from a farmer for $100.00. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day.  The next day he drove up and said, 'Sorry son, but I have some bad news, the donkey died.'

Will replied, 'Well, then just give me my money back.'

The farmer said, 'Can't do that. I went and spent it already.'

Will  said, 'OK, then, just bring me the dead donkey.'

The farmer asked, 'What will you do with him?

Will said, 'I'm going to raffle him off.'

The farmer said 'You can't raffle off a dead donkey!'

Will said, 'Sure I can. Watch me. I just won't tell anybody he's dead.' A month later, the farmer met up with Will and asked, 'What happened with that dead donkey?'

Will said, 'I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars apiece and made a profit of $898.00.' The farmer said, 'Didn't anyone complain?' Will said, 'Just the bloke who won. So I gave him back his two dollars.'

Will is now a consultant and advises all the banks and credit unions....

 

·        What time does the library open? The voice on the phone asked. "Nine A.M." came the reply. "And what is the idea of calling me at home in the middle of the night to ask such a question?" Asked the librarian.  "Not until nine A.M.?" the man asked in a disappointed voice.

"No, not till nine A.M..!" the librarian said, "Why do you want to get in before nine A.M." "Who said I wanted to get in?" the man sighed sadly "I want to get out."

 

·        A new supermarket has opened in Bondi, Sydney. It has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain. When you pass the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and you experience the scent of fresh mown hay. In the meat department there is the aroma of charcoal grilled steaks with onions. When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle, and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying.... The bread department features the tantalizing smell of fresh baked bread and cookies.

I don't buy toilet paper there any more.

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Cheers for now,

Jo

 

 

 

 

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