ANZAC DAY ON MAGNETIC ISLAND

On April 29, 2015April 29, 2015 By alisonferryIn History, Uncategorized2 Comments

We were on the island last weekend and Saturday happened to Anzac Day – a day where Australians honour all those who gave their lives in various wars. This year was special as it is 100 years since the landing at Gallipoli, and the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. In the lead up to the 25th April there were many stories, documentaries and tales of the men who went to Turkey to fight for their country and of those who didn’t return.

Each year a Dawn Service is held in cities and towns around the country. On Magnetic Island, beautiful Alma Bay was the location for the service. We decided to walk to the park – some 2 km away – the trail hugs the coastline and is normally a beautiful walk. However, it was dark and so we powered along and were amazed at the crowd that had already assembled at the cenotaph by 5 a.m.

The honour guard stood motionless at the cenotaph and a parade of servicemen and women marched to the park from the nearby RSL. There was silence everywhere and at 5.30am a gunfire salute hailed from two landing craft anchored in the bay. The staccato sound of shots, followed by silence and then more shots brought to life what the men must have faced in the dark one hundred years ago.

The service began and the sun slowly rose over the bay. The atmosphere was solemn and very moving as dawn arrived and the birds sang a chorus. Rarely have I seen such a large crowd of all age groups totally rapt in the proceedings.

As it became light, the landing craft became more apparent and the bay was bathed in a golden light.

Finally, when the service ended and the dignitaries dispersed, we were left to ponder on the significance of the day. I wandered down to the water and captured a shot which said it all – a lone swimmer in the bay with the landing craft of war in the distance.

A TROPICAL EASTER

On April 11, 2015April 11, 2015 By alisonferryIn TravelLeave a comment

We spent the few days of the Easter break over on Magnetic island this year. It has become a tradition for Townsville locals to flock to the island for the Easter school holidays and the place was buzzing. It was a very social weekend and wonderful to see friends and families all come together in a community spirit.

In the early mornings we like to walk to a beach at Arcadia called Alma Bay. Often we are the only ones there and whilst one swims, the other does yoga – what a great start to the day.

Walks and wildlife are part of Magnetic island culture and during the cooler months we enjoy the interaction with nature. This weekend was no different, although the weather is still hot and muggy. Tourists and children love to go to the rocks at Arcadia and look for the little rock wallabies – some of which are bold enough to approach if you have fruit, vegetables or the wallaby pellets you can purchase in the local store. Jacqui had an assignment to photograph these cute creatures and so, armed with cameras and wallaby pellets we set off to see what we could find.

They didn’t disappoint and even managed to pose for us before scampering away.

The children came over for a day and instead of giving them lots of chocolate eggs, I decided to present them with craft and a soft bunny along with some baby eggs. This was a great hit, although they did hide themselves in a cupboard to devour all the eggs before they were caught out!

Easter is all about chocolate – and lots of it! We pretended not to notice the eggs had gone! Later I was asked to bring a dessert to a luncheon we were invited to on Easter Saturday and not being known for my creative abilities in the sweet department, I was somewhat dismayed. However, after a little research and a lot of positive thought, I managed to created this delicious Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake

It turned out exactly as the picture, was easy and fun to do. I was also complimented many times but the thanks have to go to the Philadelphia Cream Cheese website for the inspiration. Go to: http://www.philly.com.au

Finally the few days came to an end and it was time to go home – but not before another lovely sunset from the deck with wine and nibbles!

Reflections on Magnetic Island and Times Past

On February 20, 2015 By alisonferryIn Genealogy, History, TravelLeave a comment

Magnetic Island is a jewel in North Queensland’s crown and I look forward to each weekend when we can take the ferry across the bay and completely relax in our little paradise.

Last weekend I started to think more about the first white settlers who came to the island. We were walking along the shady path by the beach at Picnic Bay, which in itself is worth a visit. The old banyan fig trees that line the shore are fascinating with huge aerial roots and plenty of climbing opportunities for children who can let their imaginations run wild. There have been plenty of stories of goblins and fairies, dragons and monsters lurking deep in the twisted branches and all the while the cockatoos screech and play above looking for seed pods.

At the end of the walk there is a plaque remembering the life of the first known white settler. Harry Butler came to the island in 1876 after emigrating from Lancashire in northern England in 1867. My own family ancestors were also from Lancashire and at that time the county was important for it’s cotton mills and the industry arising from cotton. The countryside was beautiful and there were small villages and farms where people lived either from farming or spinning and weaving, which was done at home. They would send their bolts of cloth to the mill or factory via canal boat and canals criss-crossed the county with longboats providing much needed transport for coal and produce. The cities were grimy and crowded and living conditions harsh. I wondered about Harry Butler bringing his family across the oceans to the unknown and then choosing to settle on a small island off the mainland where there was nothing except opportunity.

Life would have been tough. A passenger, William Westacott, on a quarantined vessel Sir William Wallace noted in his diary on 3^rd October 1878 : ‘there is a hut and a man, his wife and six children and two brothers beside…..they have a fine garden….sweet potato, pineapples and corn …a lot of fowls, ducks and a dog.’ I tried to imagine Elizabeth Butler working in her garden in long skirts and heavy shoes in the heat and humidity of the tropical summer. Her English roses complexion would have suffered under the harsh sun in spite of large hats which were always worn. How different it must have seemed to them after Lancashire. Perhaps they thought it was their own little paradise.

The family planted an orchard and built another hut made from coral blocks and began to cater for people who came across from the mainland for picnics. Eventually they built thatched cottages so people could stay overnight and then, recognising the demand, they ran their own boat service to Picnic Bay from the mainland and built a temporary wooden jetty.

Thus began the first tourism venture on the island.

Everything Australian on Australia Day

On January 28, 2015January 28, 2015 By alisonferryIn Uncategorized4 Comments

Last weekend the whole country had a long weekend. Monday 26th January was Australia Day and that gave the population a signal to “celebrate” . There were sporting events and barbecues, welcoming and remembrance ceremonies, favourite Aussie icons and moments were recalled and music by Australian bands and singers was played throughout the day.

I have now come to look forward to this special day. We were on Magnetic island and invited to a BBQ lunch. Guests were obliged to wear something iconic such as thongs, board shorts, T shirts, Jacky Howe singlets, caps, hats, anything with a flag on it – and one guest even came in a bikini made from flag material!

Of course there were decorations everywhere including on the tables, where the good old crocodile provided a centrepiece accompanied by a snake!

Food plays an important part of the day and typical Aussie fare, such as pies, sausage rolls, cheese and vegemite rolls, prawns and barbecues with lamb, steak and/or sausages are on every menu. This is usually followed by desserts which include lamingtons, cup cakes, pavlovas and tropical fruit and trifles.

Having been well fed, we then launched into a Trivia Quiz game where all the questions were, of course, Australian. This stretched the mind a little with questions such as “Which former Prime Minister once managed a band called “The Ramrods”? How on earth was I was expected to know that? The answer – Paul Keating. For anyone interested in politics, this would be the most unlikely person to ever be involved in rock music. So, you live and learn!

Everyone knows Kylie Minogue but apart from her popularity in the music world, it was her Hotpants that brought such an impact to Australian culture. Favourite icons are Holden cars, Speedo swimsuits, Four XXXX Beer, Vegemite, Elle Macpherson and Miranda Kerr, Waltzing Matilda, Surfing, the Akubra Hat, Qantas, the Koala and the Kangaroo. The list goes on and on.

However, what puzzled me when I first arrived in this country was the language. I spent some time in the early years travelling through and living in the Outback. This would be the most difficult place to start to comprehend the locals. I remember one day driving along a bush road and stopping to talk to a Drover who was sitting on the biggest horse I had ever seen. He asked me a question and I had to turn to my companion and ask what language he was speaking. I did not understand one word. He then told me he was once “so hungry he could eat the arse out of a low flying duck”. I was totally perplexed. He then said he had to “hit the Frog and Toad” (road) and galloped off.

Gradually I began to learn many Aussie sayings: words such as “Joe Blake” for snake, “noah” for sharks, “lizards” for crocodiles and “Japanese riding boots” for thongs are casually mentioned in conversations on a daily basis. I even find myself calling a chicken “a chook” these days.

Rhyming slang is another Aussie favourite. Phrases such as “Pass me the dead horse” (Pass the sauce) or “I’ll go and have a Captain Cook” (I’ll go and have a look) “Give me the Jack and Jill” (Give me the bill) and “on the Al Capone” (on the phone) are often heard in the bush.

It doesn’t take long, eventually you become absorbed in this totally fascinating country and its culture. Then you can call yourself “An Australian’

Hooroo!

Magnetic Island – My Island Home

On January 22, 2015 By alisonferryIn Travel17 Comments

Situated just 8km off the coast of Townsville, North Queensland is my “island home”. The place where we escape on weekends, spend holidays and enjoy the company of friends and family. Where we indulge in the luxury of reading, hiking, swimming, cooking unusual dishes and where time really means not much. We can do what we like, when we like.

This beautiful island has 23 bays and beaches and much of it is National Park surrounded by Marine Parks with some beautiful fringing coral and sea life. In winter we watch whales on their migration north from Antarctica and dolphins and turtles abound.

Huge granite boulders, hoop pines, eucalypt forest and patches of rainforest are found and of course, the resident wildlife is always there …… Rosellas flock at dawn and sunset and greedily gobble up seeds thrown by residents. The curlew looks on haughtily but doesn’t dare intercede.One morning a young kookaburra hopped onto our verandah and expected his breakfast – which he got – pieces of bacon which he slapped against the railings attempting to “kill it” before devouring.

There are some beautiful walks through the National Park, including one to the “Forts” – a series of structures which were lookout forts during the Second World War. This is where you will often see koalas in the wild. Textures and colours of trees and leaves never fail to amaze me.

And finally the sunsets – always magnificent and there is nothing better than to enjoy a sundowner at the end of the day watching the sun sink into the horizon declaring the day is over and a new start awaits in the morning.

Welcome to my Island Home !