Apr2014_Mt Mee Ramblings

By Ian Wells

Many thanks to my readers for the month off. We had a wonderful time being grey nomads – not in a spacious Winnebago, but crammed into our little “Lumbago”, the forty two year old Jensen Healey sports car with room for us and a spare pair of knickers and not much else.

 

We drove to Melbourne down the Newell highway, exploring the Riverina on the way, ferried to Devonport, travelled eastern and central Tasmania, (but not the West Coast this time) and came home via Gippsland, the New South Wales south coast and the Pacific highway.  We travelled well over 4000 miles (7000km to those of you with newer vehicles) with only one very minor hiccup – thanks of course to Joseph Lucas, that great British “Prince of Darkness”.  Fortunately, this was quickly remedied by a very savvy auto ‘sparks’ in Devonport.

 

Perhaps I’ll write up some of our experiences for you in a later edition.  But in the meantime an urgent message for Queensland men planning to visit the Apple Isle.  No doubt as a legacy of the years of rule by a female State Premier, most Tasmanian toilet seats are installed so that they cannot be lifted to top dead centre.  This means that for male use, they must be supported manually.  This may be OK for Taswegian men, but for red-blooded Queenslanders who mostly need two hands just to manage their tackle, it means that assistance is needed to hold… something.  Be warned!

 

When we left the summer ‘wet’ had still not arrived, but January showers had sprung a little bit of pasture growth and seasonal prospects seemed promising.  Our western side of the Mountain didn’t look as good as the rest, but there was still no real cause for concern.  We were confident that good rains would arrive in February to refill the almost empty dams and replenish the soil moisture profile.  It couldn’t stay dry through February………

 

But we didn’t get that good news while we were away, because it didn’t happen.  Our homecoming welcome was one of brown and bare paddocks and hungry cattle.  And I had even paid to have the lawns mown while we were away – what a hopeless optimist!  Our total February rainfall was just 14mm, and must have vaporized in the unremitting heat almost before it had hit the ground.  So here we are in March, all wondering how on earth we can get rid of our cattle before the winter, when no-one wants them and there is no market and there will soon be no feed and no water.

 

And we are not alone of course – I chanced to drive through Mt Samson yesterday and in more than 50 years I have never seen that district look so bad!

 

So what is happening on the Mountain?

ANZAC DAY:  The Sunrise service will begin at 6am as usual at the ANZAC Memorial in the Dahmonga Look-Out Park.  Once again – (and sadly, for the last time probably), it will be led by Neil (“Lofty”) Eiby O.A.M.  (Since resettling in Buderim, Neil continues to develop new responsibilities in that district, and these are likely to occupy him in future.)  The guest speaker will again be Colonel John Mayer, a serving US Marine Corps officer currently on secondment to the ADF.  His address last year was riveting.  Don’t miss this last opportunity to hear him before he returns to the ‘States’ later this year.

 

Anyone who cares to lay a wreath is warmly invited to do so – either bring your own or purchase an RSL one at the service for a nominal donation.  But notice of your intention would be much appreciated, to enable your turn to be announced. Please phone Ian on 5498 2104 or Neil on 5498 2148.

 

Don’t forget that the Service is followed by the hot ‘Gunfire Breakfast’ put on for a donation of just $3.00 to the Mountaintop Church and that the RSL will ensure that the traditional ’tot’ will be on hand for those who fear that the ‘flu might be coming on! 

 

Ours is not the biggest Service in Queensland, but we think it is one of the best.  Please join us!

 

ENTERTAINMENT:  SLO – the “St Lucia”, (to be known henceforth as the ‘Brisbane City Pops Orchestra’, performs the annual Mt Mee concert on Sunday May 23rd (sorry again for the unavoidable clash with Dayboro Day), and it is time to think of booking with Kay (5498 2104) or Joyce (5498 2270).  Cleverly titled “Leroy Waltzes to Vienna” it will be a combination of Viennese musical favourites and some delightful Leroy Anderson waltzes that will include “Belle of the Ball and “The Waltzing Cat”.  Guest trumpet, Ash Moore, will join the brass section in “Bugler’s Holiday” and “Trumpeter’s Lullaby” – (is the latter title an oxymoron?)  Meanwhile, soprano Leslie Martin will sing songs by Johann Strauss Junior and Richard Strauss and will be joined by the audience in “Vienna, City of Dreams”.  Admission prices are unchanged.  More news next month……..

 

The Hall has been hired by a group of Irish Folk style musicians, “The Wishful Thinkers”, on Saturday 26th April. They will join with country duo “Sista Burley” in a concert entitled “Songs from the Heart”.  There will be refreshments and a bar!  Book for that one on 0409 031 488 or stanleyriverherald@bigpond.com .

 

WILD DOG BAITING:  The two autumn rounds for Mt Mee are set down for the first Thursdays in April and May.  Sadly, Darren Sheil was not able to meet our request for Friday dates – they would suit many who hold off-farm jobs.

 

The usual arrangements will apply, with Council looking after all of the preliminary paper work and providing the horsemeat baits at the usual venue from 9am.

 

Readers should note that the State government rules under which Council operates have changed very significantly, and this means that many smaller blockholders who have been excluded in the past can now be part of the scheme. While it is too late for inclusion in the autumn round, a quick phone call to Darren (3480 6778) could get you set for the spring events.  Dog baiting is not an enjoyable past-time, and it carries heavy responsibilities.  But it is a community obligation that should not be sidestepped.  The better the spread of baits, the better the outcome – Len Maroske and I proved that with the big programs we ran some years ago under the Department of Natural Resources.  After those programs ceased for various reasons, dog numbers quickly rose to plague proportions, offering shooters a wonderful harvest.