Things to bring cheer...

Water authorities going to court.

Awww, don't it make your heart bleed?
No?
Good.

For more info on the North-South Pipeline fight click plugthepipe.com

Benefit Concert for The Father Bob Maguire Foundation

 

Go.

Buy a ticket.

Or 3.

It's for a good cause.

The Father Bob Maguire Foundation.

The bloke rocks.

Ask the thousands he's helped over the years.

He needs you to buy a ticket.

You need to buy a ticket.

Or 3.

Go on.

Ghost in the machine...Haunted Hot Spots

Thanks for the reminder, Hot Andrew

For those wishing to get back to nature, those wanting to explore our collective past or possibly those just wanting to hang with the dead, go check out The Haunted Bookshop and check out the map of Victoria with some of the haunted places you can go haunt yourself.

If you can't shake those chains then how about enjoying the haunts from your armchair with the Haunted Australia TV series on DVD?

Wanting to wander down a damp laneway in the hopes of bumping into what makes things go bump in the night?
How about The Haunted Melbourne Ghost Tour?

And contrary to some frothing-at-the-mouth-nutters, you really won't go to Hell by simply reading through the list of goodies available in the store.
But if you keep doing the other you might go blind and grow hair on the palms of your hands....!!!

Tentacles on the trivial brain keep me from history falling asleep March 31

Watching a series on Russia and we fell in love with Tomsk, in Siberia.
The Spouse's rellies come from Siberia, a different town that had a smallish spot of bother with nuclear radiation so we'll settle for Tomsk instead...with their trams and beautiful buildings and museums and universities and did I mention their delicious gingerbread-style wooden houses?
Want one now.
Will sell The Spouse to get one.
Will sell The Spouse just for the heck of it but let's try to get one of those houses anyway!

All science geeks, rejoice!
Tis Bunsen Burner Day!
Just be careful where you point that thing...

Name That Tune.... from the few lyrics mentioned in the title of this post.

No prizes.

Just the chance for everyone to oooh and ahhh at you before the next 15 minute wonder hits the headlines.

1839 Joseph Forbes was rescued from his 14 years in slavery on Timor Laut Island.
For more details click HERE and HERE.

Grandma Mehitabel's menu.

Multigrain home made bread.

2 cups plain flour, tossed into a bowl with 3 teaspoons dry yeast, seeds/grains of choice (sunflowers seeds, rice flakes, oats, sesame seeds, linseed, etc), 1/2 cup rye flour, stir, then add 1.5 cups of tepid water.

Batter the buggery out of the dough for about 10 mins, pop into a bowl, cover with a tea-towel and leave it someplace warm to double in size (no, not someplace warm like in the oven, you dolt!).

Punch the dough down and knead for about 2 mins, then divide into 2 and plop into a greased loaf tin.

Brush top with warm water and sprinkle with poppy seeds.

Sit somewhere warm to rise over the edge of the tin (again, NOT in the oven!).

When risen throw into the moderate oven for approx. 40-50 mins or until golden brown on top.

1902 Twas not the Wright brothers but a mad inventor Kiwi Richard Pearse who was the first to fly in a heavier-than-air craft !

 

Aren't they just magnificently handsome chimneys?!

1904 The Kiwis were at the head of the queue again when the world's first coin operated letter franking machine went on trial at Christchurch.

1928 First Aussie Grand Prix was held at Phillip Island.
I'd say send it back there but the Fairy Penguins have moved on from their ocker bogan days...

Small Rant Ahead

I have no love for Madonna in any shape or form but what gives with the angst over her latest adoption?

4 yr old girl, been living in an orphanage since her mother died 5 days after giving birth, her only living relatives don't have her with them but they're getting up upset with the idea of her being adopted.

Coz the life expenctancy of 48 yrs is soooooooo fecking great in Malawi, let's ban all adoptions.

Let's leave the kiddies in the under-funded, over-crowded orphanages.

Let's not allow kids to have the chance at an extended education or a healthy life.

I'm all for kids to keep their connections to their heritage and to know their own country but when it's at the expense of children's lives, this lab experiment gets a big FAIL from me as both a mother and a human being.

1940 NZ PM Michael Savage's body was taken from Wellington to Auckland for burial.
For more information click HERE.

1957 The poopheads closed the Hearns Oak to Yallourn railway line.
But at least you can *gag* walk or cycle the remaining rail trail.

 

When old fire stations were built with such flair and distinction they get recycled into hip upmarket apartments.

1975 Skyhooks were rocking the top of the Aussie pops with Horror Movie.
Yes, Red, shockingly it's another revisit to your past.

1990 Every man and his dog were rioting in England : Maggie had underestimated the Power of The People and the Trafalgar Square Poll Tax Riot was her downfall.
And the Strangways Prison Riot couldn't have helped matters much, either...
Though, according to accounts such as this, her funeral's bound to be a real riot!

Tie me trivial kangaroo history down, sport, tie me March 30 kangaroo down

Another Monday and someone, somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere is warbling badly to their shower tiles "I don't like Mondays" whilst weighing up the believability of calling in sick with a 24 hour Bubonic Plague after bragging all day Friday about having tickets to see The Who....

1870 Harry Redford (aka Captain Starlight) and 4 mates nicked 1,000 head of cattle and overlanded them 2,400 kms from Qld to South Oz opening up the Strzelecki Track.
Learn more about clever Harry HERE.

Pigeon lurve in the boneyard.

1930 The world was blessed with Wobble-board inventor Rolf Harris.
Yes, Brian, I said "blessed" not "blasted"....and now I can't quite remember why...

Top 5 excuses for not turning up to work -
5. Your Trekkie girlfriend is brewing Romulan ale in your bath-tub.
4.Oprah has a direct line to your brain and ordered that you Do.Not.Turn.Away from the tv.
3.Serial killer Dexter bought you a drink in a bar and you just KNOW he's out there waiting for you.
2.You fell asleep in the bath and have drastic prune skin that clashes with work uniform pleats.
1. Acute pash-rash from snogging Santa's reindeer at the Xmas party.

1967 The Gurindji People occupied part of Wave Hill Station in the NT in the first mass civil disobedience act.

1967 Fred Ladd was quite the lad when on his final day with Tourist Air Travel he flew his amphibian aircraft under the Auckland Bridge.
Read more about the daredevil Fred HERE.

Pressed metal ceiling on local shop verandah.

2008 Daylight Savings was extended for 1 week so everyone in NSW, Vic, Tassie, South Oz and the ACT could all have sleepy cows and faded wallpaper.

Spent the day wandering around the local cemetery (yes, they unshackle me from the kitchen occasionally) where I indulged in many photos but a great article on our local pioneer cemetery is over at One Little Detail.
Enjoy!

The matching headstone to LiD's photo of the grave of the bloke who drowned in the Goulburn River; both young men drowned together and were buried side by side.

And before we forget....Poowong, Poowong, Poowong, Poowong!

Next Saturday Poowong Footy Club kicks off against Koo Wee Rup, so get down there for a wonderful day out in the beautiful countryside with fresh food, fresh air and very fresh footy!

Sunday, Trivial Bloody History Sunday March 29

Goodness me, it's Sunday again!
That means more blood, orgies, mayhem, scandal and murder on the idiot box tonight.
Gotta love those documentaries on the past Popes' lives!

(Why, yes, it is a tad warm and I will have the kettle on when I get there)

Something's been nomming on this!
Made ya look

1878 The Aussie cricket team bon voyaged themselves as they sallied forth on the SS Sydney to tour England.

Awww, look, I've found the Poowong Cemetery...and a more picturesque cemetery you're not likely to find....!

1930 For some odd reason a jury in Perth found the station manager of Bedford Downs not guilty of the murder of 9 Aborigines as a reprisal for them killing and eating a bullock.

Some more pretty pics of Poowong's historic headstones.

1942 The day after he was released from prison Sydney Ross , career crim, convinced the NZ Govt that a Nazi sabotage cell had landed on Kiwi soil and was recruiting agents.
This later proved to be a hoax.

Poowong Branch......of ?????????
Send your answer on the back of a envelope addressed to yourself and don't forget to RSVP within 3 working days.

1964 Eleanor Nancy Gow was pupped.
You might know her better as Elle Macpherson.

A fine and mighty happy snap to adorn any doorway...

1982 The Sydney Swans Footy Club played their first match in Sydney.

Go on, ride your pony into town to collect the mail and grab a pint of milk while you're there....maybe half a pound of butter wouldn't go astray....can you fit tuppence ha'penny worth of spuds in your saddle bags?

1985 The Singing Nun went to her final reward.

The Poowong Footy Club doing a bit more than practicing!

1987 The West Coast Eagles made their debut in the VFL with a match at Subiaco Oval where they kicked the Richmond Tigers to the kerb 20.13.133 to 16.12.119.

Poowong Packhorse in speedy action!

2007 Bono, from U2, was knighted and his official title became *inhale* Knight Commander of The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire *exhale*.
Surely it would be easier just to give him a light sabre and call him God?!

And just to confuse you completely here's the pub that serves the absolutely best meals this side of the Black Stump - the Royal Hotel in Dunolly.

Making Do Recipes

"Making Do" was the catch-phrase of the Great Depression, when everyone "made do" with what they had instead of running up credit or spending the little spare money they had.
Personal desires were put on the back-burner if things were unnecessary or could be "done without"...yes, self-sacrifice was a way of commonsense and budgeting back then, not a pity-party for 1.
Sometimes food is close to its expiry date but you're missing a few extra ingredients to use them up properly - look in the pantry to Make Do!
Jam, marmalade, relish, chutney, pickles, etc, can be substituted for many ingredients like sugar, fruit, herbs and spices, as they contain many items you'd normally use any way.
Tins of flavoured tuna, baked beans, tinned veggies, etc, can all be used.
Egg replacement powder is somewhat cheaper than fresh eggs - keep a packet of this handy in the pantry; not only will you still be able to bake but egg allergies won't be an issue.
*Edit -I had to use up the expensive but almost out of date gluten-free flour, the preserves were getting a bit long in the tooth and the eggs were about to expire.

Strawberry Cupcakes -
I threw 2 cups of S/R gluten-free flour into a mixing bowl, followed by 2 dessert spoons of strawberry jam, 1 beaten egg and approx. 1 cup of milk.
Whipped the whole lot into a smooth batter, spooned into cupcake trays and baked in mod. oven till golden brown.

Quiche Muffins-
Previous evening's leftover veggies tossed into a bowl with 2 cups of S/R Gluten-free flour, 1 belted egg, 2 spring onions chopped, 1 teaspoon of basil pesto and 1 teaspoon of sundried tomatoes, 1 slice of ham chopped, grated cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese with enough milk to mix into semi-stiff batter.
Spooned into muffin trays, baked in mod. oven till tops began to brown and scoffed by Tribe within 30 mins.

Tuna Mini-Quiches-
1 tin of tuna in salsa sauce tossed into bowl with 1 teaspoon each of basil pesto and sundried tomatoes, a small dollop of oil, 2 cups S/R gluten-free flour, 1 small tin of creamed corn, enough milk to make a semi-stiff batter - whipped together then spooned into cupcake trays baked till starting to brown.
Tribe scoffed the lot down within 1 hour.

Choc-Orange Choc Chip Muffins -
3 table spoons of orange marmalade in a bowl with 6 teaspoons of drinking chocolate, 2 cups of S/R gluten-free flour, choc-chips to taste, enough milk to form a semi-stiff batter.
Whipped into submission then spooned into cupcake trays, baked in moderate oven then eaten by Feral Beast within an afternoon.

Mama's Making Trivial Canton, Doesn't Take History Long For The March 28 Word to Spread Around...

Today is both Hot Tub Day and Respect Your Cat Day.
So...toss pusskin a few steaks and lock yourself in the hot tub for some good, clean fun with a pot of coffee, a good book...and a yummy buffed up bloke.

1931 Holden's Motor Body Builders slipped into a merger of a marriage with American business General Motors to create General Motors-Holden's Ltd.

I have obviously let the side down when Feral Beast only knows comic genius Billy Connolly not for his swearing but "as the bloke off the ING ads"

1942 The northern part of the Northern Territory was placed under military control.
{sarcasm}Something to do with the bombing raids I suspect...{/sarcasm}

When brickies used to get arty-farty #2.

1955 NZ scored the world's lowest test cricket score against England at Eden Park in Auckland - 26 runs.
No one has 'beaten' this score to date.

There's many a meeting happening in Poowong in coming weeks
Poowong Gardening Club
Poowong Historical Group
Poowong Apex Club
Poowong and District Landcare Group
Poowong CCC
For all details on meeting times and places see HERE.
For a small community of barely 600 people it's certainly got a lot to offer!

2006 Kiwi farmers were a tad unhappy that the new laws demanded all dogs be microchipped, wanting farm dogs to be exempt and likening this to the Dog Tax War of the past.

House Keeping 2009

Housekeeper of The Year Award goes to The Spouse for not only hoovering the whole house in just his t-shirt and jocks but posing oh-so-shyly for this photo

I've got a lovely trivial bunch of history coconuts, see them all March standing in a 27 row...

Feral Beast went off to a lecture/discussion on crystals at the gem club tonight, dragging The Spouse along to cope with public transport at night, of course, and had such a good chat he's been asked to bring his fossils along next month and give a brief talk on them.
No, he is NOT dragging me along, thank you very much!!!
1789 6 marines were executed for nicking food from the Govt food stores.
Hope their snacks were worth it!

Exciting stuffs on brumbies (Aussie wild horses) from The Australian Brumby Research Unit located at the University of Queensland HERE.

1837 The Crow Eaters were a bunch of happy campers when they indulged in the first land sales of Adelaide.

Grandma Mehitabel's Menu meets Great Aunt Hepzibah's Handy Hints- Thinking Laterally With Recipes ( aka Making Do).
Mix 2 cups of preferred brekkie cereal ( not sugary muck but something with flakes, oats, fruit, etc) with 2 cups of plain flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1.5 cups of milk, extra fruit if preferred and mix like buggery. No sugar or sweetener is needed as most cereals are already sweet. Bake in greased cake tin in moderate oven for 30-40 mins, let cool then slice and serve.

1848 The Canterbury Association had a bit of a chinwag and decided on the name of Christchurch for the town they planned to slap together on the pile of dirt they bought from the New Zealand Comapny.

The Poowong Pixie Guides almost make me yearn for Feral Teen and Feral Queen to be little again. Then again they were both too feral to stay in Guides....they scared the Girl Guide leaders into needing to camp with the torches on all night...

1883 Responding to a request from several Kiwis to send some officers, the first 2 Salvation Army officers arrived at Port Chalmers in the midst of an economic depression.

Speaking of the younger feral female of the Tribe, during one of our long rambling chats that we have into the wee small hours she pointed out that shortly she will no longer be a teen so I will have to refer to her as Feral Spawn. Dear Readers, let me introduce you to Feral Spawn. Photo only on pain of death...and I'm allergic to pain.

1939 The Aussie-built Wirraway was flown for the first time in a test flight.

Aussie Slanguage -
If your crown jewels (testicles) came a gutsa ( injured) while getting a dink (lift on a bicycle) and you ended up as crook as Rookwood (cemetery) then you probably had Buckley's (no chance) of dipping your wick (having sex).
Clear as mud, eh?

1963 Beeching I Report into Reshaping of British Railways suggested to the govt of the time that 9,700 kms of rural railway network be closed.
The bastards govt of the time accepted the idea, prompting the nickname The Beeching Axe.

Once upon a time these concrete plant pots dreamt of a sunny locale, regular watering and a generous someone to supply them with their fertiliser habit....

1984 The Wellington Trades Hall was bombed, with the death of caretaker Ernie Abbott.

1986 The Russell Street bombing took place in Melbourne, resulting in the death of policewoman Angela Taylor.

Poowong Swimming Club has been going so well for so long they hosted the annual swimming competition in the Bass River in 1928 and presented the assistant coach with a gold fountain pen.
I wouldn't mind a fountain pen, doesn't have to be gold....

2006 John Howard's horrid Work Choices reforms came into effect....and they've been kicked to the kerb almost to the day.

I'm Late, I'm Trivial Late For A Very Important History Date March 26

Yes, yes, I'm late today, life seemed to jump up in my face and squeal "BOO" yesterday and last night.
Don't you shudder when Life squeals like that?
Ranks up there with children screaming for no reason other than trying to signal the Mothership in the Milky Way to come rescue them from droningly dull school work or washing the dishes or walking the dog....

1694 The Bank of England was incorporated.
Is that animal still alive or was it entered onto the extinct species list with the other money grubbers?

 

The proverbial brick wall.

And nary a mark to show the millions of heads that have been knocked against it over the decades.

1856 The first inter-colonial cricket match was hosted at the MCG between NSW (Cockroaches) and Victoria (Gum Suckers) over two days with the Cockroaches winning by 3 wickets.
No, they are state nicknames, like Banana Benders for Qlders, not the team mascots!

You may potter about amidst the various state nicknames and state floral arrangements HERE.

1857 Poor old Inspector-General John Price was not having a very spiffing day when the convicts from the prison hulk Success belted and battered him at Point Gellibrand, near Williamstown, to the point that he died the following day.
He may not have been lamented by many.

 

The abstruse love letters of a train driver to The Fat Controller.

1891 NZ's first agricultural conference was held on this day in City.

Just hum amongst yourselves for 5 mins.

1896 In NZ's Grey Valley at 9am there was an explosion from the Brunner Mine, with the loss of 65 lives.
Click HERE for more details and a photo of the rescue.

Things are getting ugly at Queenscliff with the Queenscliff Harbour redevelopment getting nasty...with warnings HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.

1909 Chap who performed with gay abandon upon stage and screen, Chips Rafferty, was pupped.

 

When Mavis heard the price of new shingles she went eco-friendly and cheap with pigeons...

1936 The first Kiwi Parliamentary debate was broadcast on NZ radio.

Do any of you Know The Way To San Jose?

1947 The Banana Benders got all classical when the Queensland Symphony Orchestra made its debut performance.

Grandma Mehitabel's Menu-

Easy egg-free fruit cake.

Soak 1 cup of bran in 1 cup of milk then add 1 cup S/R flour (gluten free if required) sugar to taste (honey may be substituted), 1 cup of mixed fruit and stir like buggery till a smooth batter with lumpy bits of dried fruit is the result.

Pour into a cake or loaf tin, throw into moderate oven for 45 mins - 1 hour (depending on how slow the slaves are at restocking the wood in the stove) then let cool before turning out of tin and nomming the whole lot in one sitting.

2001 Obviously holding a grudge at being separated at birth for so long, the Cockroach (NSW) and Gum Sucker (Vic) State Cabinets held a joint meeting in Albury to not only observe the 150th anniversary of Victoria being cleft from the loving bosom of NSW but to weld the Albury and Wodonga Councils together.

 

Is it wrong to lust after tuck pointing?

2005 We were finally blessed with the Second Coming of He Who Should Never Have Left Us when Doctor Who returned to its rightful place on our TV screens (British TV on this date) and we could all hide behind the couch or be glued with sheer delight at the new decor of the TARDIS.

Just out of curiosity Wiki says "This article is about the television series. For other uses, see Doctor Who (disambiguation)"

What other uses could one have for Doctor Who?

Now that he's played by a teen-baby Matt Something person?

2006 The Kiwis returned back over The Ditch from the Melb Commonwealth Games with a haul of 31 medals which put them in 9th place.

Just back from the opthamologist and....

....guess what?
Still blind!
Nothing exciting to report, no changes.
Except he got this really nice new carpet put in....

Oh Lord It's Hard To Be Trivial Humble, When You're History Perfect In Every March 25 Way

Another exciting day awaits us so spring forth, dear readers!
Spring forth I say!
And while you're up how about putting the kettle on, I'm parched for a cuppa tea?
Thanks, black no sugar.

 

Want this house.

Will actually do housework for this house.

Although I have to really be 'in the mood' for ironing.

1838 Bobby Hoddle played 'Eeny Meeny Miny Mo' with a map and picked the site for Geelong.

 

This house is up for sale.....

Actually, it's being offered as a development site in a prime location, so wave ta-ta to this purdy house...

1847 Dr Featherstone, who was the editor of the Wellington Independent, indirectly claimed that Colonel William Wakefield was a thief so Featherstone was called out to duel.
Both men deliberately missed.

 

The house that belongs to this pond is looking rather sad.

This house will be soon demolished.

Thank goodness the goldfish didn't live to see this day.

1879 The Kiwis had a lot to say and, finally, something to say it on when the first telephones in NZ went into use on this day in City.

 

Look , Ma, no hands!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !

1966 Flinders University in South Oz was officially opened.
(They happen to have a pretty decent school of archaeology there, too!)

 

Goodness, how did that get there......

The Trivial Lunatics Have Taken Over The History Asylum March 24

Today's entry is rather bland, tasteless and oh-so-very beige.
In fact I think you'd call it blogging bran, so dull it would clog up a drainpipe with cardboard.
So I've sprinkled some fairy dust amongst the parched facts.
Don't inhale if you can help it else you might start seeing green pixies and purple heffalumps.

Enjoyed watching the premier of The Stamp of Australia on the History channel last night.

I'm very impressed with Valda Knott who does anything, everything and has done so for more than 50 years!

Read more HERE on this wonderful woman and Aussie doco.

1796 Bass and Flinders did not find Lake Illawarra but instead fell over a noisy skinny dipping pool party.
They declined the invitation to join in due to their mortal fear of verdigris.

I got chatting with a Poowong Footy Club player today.

Seems the Poowong Loch Cricket Club has made it into the Grand Final W00T !!!

Better keep an eye on the cricket team, too, boys and girls!

1810 David Collins dropped off the perch rather suddenly...probably been over-doing the little blue "performance" pills again, randy bugger.

Poowong Loch Cricket Club will be battling Inverloch for the 2008/2009 Finals trophy on March 28 & 29 at Outtrim Recreation Reserve.

1902 Prof. Bickerton was turfed out of the University of Canterbury due to his socialist ideals and the fact he didn't think much of marriage * sarcastic gasp*.
I'm sure he would have joined in the Bass & Flinders skinny dipping party!

Word of the day is Teterrimous, which pretty much sums up the whole stinking world economy at this moment  = "most foul".

How many rooms can I book in Buckingham Palace for AU$50 ?

1927 The Feds parked their posteriors in Melbourne for the final time then they upped sticks to polish the seats of their suits in the p0rn capital of Oz, Canberra.

I wonder if anyone has answered the Twitter question "What are you doing?" with...

Sprinkling chocolate laxatives on my MIL's ice cream.

Re-training Paris Hilton's tiny dog to stop fearing the scrawny white meat.

Putting the gimp ball back in hubby's mouth.

Using the ex's vintage Playboy collection to line the budgie cage.

Finally wielding the whip like it was intended...

Libraries and Reading and books...oh my!

It's all about books and reading and libraries - which all strangely go hand-in-hand - this week, makes me wonder if the non-vacivity Universe is sending me a message about something or other?

Nomes wrote about the BBC list of books and Anja wrote about reading (which reminded me of a most gleimous dipshyte who wanted all fantasty and sci-fi books burned) and Frisky Librarian not only wrote about this blog post of drool-worthy libraries from around the world but also got a few of us adopting words from Save The Words.

Then we had Moscow Daily Photo posting a series of pics taken of the Russian State Library, Brian discovered a pile of archaeological finds at his local library, Karen has misplaced 2 of her manuscripts, I intend to email Frogdancer to send a book voucher for her friend's son who lost all his books in the recent fires and I've registered Feral Beast for the Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge yet again.

2 of our library books are almost over-due, Amanda has her head stuck in books, I've found a fab old Kiwi-authored and published book (pictured below) at the op shop and Feral Beast has been ploughing through his Russian language text books.

 

Oh we're from Trivial Tigerland, a fighting history fury we're from March 23 Tigerland...

Today's word is Vacivity, which can be used to describe the capacity of some people, my bank account, the pantry, my sun-baked vegie patch (not counting the bodies under the soil) and the hopes of the English Cricket Team - it means emptiness.

It's Cuddly Kitten Day.
So Lexicon Harlot is all set for the day!
The rest of you will have to lurk around the local pet shop....just don't hack up too many furballs.

Poowong in Victoria is thought to come from an Aboriginal word meaning "carrion".

The Poowong Magpies will certainly make carrion out of the opposition this season with Adam Sheedy coaching!

1827 The future architect of Canterbury in New Zealand, Edward Wakefield, was tossed into probably not a vacitious cell in gaol for abduction.

Twas absolute magic watching the Tiwi Island Footy Grand Final yesterday.

Those players were like greyhounds: fast and furious, graceful and ballet-like in their movements all over the ground.

They made the regular AFL footy players look like big, clumsy lumbering bears.

And I was on the money - the Tapalinga Super Stars romped it home!

1848 The ship the John Wickliffe plopped anchor in Port Chalmers, Otago, bringing the first of the Otago Association's Scottish settlers.

What made the Tiwi Islands Grand Final even better was seeing something you will never, ever see happen in an AFL match - the kids running onto the field with the players, sitting on the boundary fence, some even sitting on the boundary on the field, the kids playing on the field during half-time, the kids flooding the field when the final siren rang.

AFL security guards would have had a conniption had they been watching the match!

1866 The road to the West Coast of NZ was officially opened.

Another thing that made a refreshing change - all the players linked arms in a gesture to support "No violence against women".

And they didn't need to be told to do so by their coach.

And the bright, bold eye-catching poster signs along the boundary fence stating "Say no to alcohol and drugs".

I'm surprised the AFL bosses couldn't squeeze one of those posters in between all the other big-money-paying sponsers at the AFL grounds.....

1889 The Bible of The Bush aka The Bulletin published a great long poem dedicated to Te Kooti from Arthur Desmond.
For more info click HERE.

Poowong Footy Club celebrated its centenary in 1989, so it'll be blowing 120 candles out on the cake this year.

1902 Post Offices refused to deliver any snail mail addressed to Tattersall's Sweeps in Hobert - and thus the internet and email was born!
Hoorah!
No, not quite.
The conniving public got around this obstacle (as the ban wasn't lifted till long after hems were lifted in 1930) by addressing all their correspondence to Tatt's by addressing it to an "aunt".

Apparently Poowong is about to go off like a frog in a sock...real estate-wise in a manner of speaking.

Maybe that's where some of our futures lie, getting up close and personal with the Poowong Magpies?

1922 Qld Parliament was cleaning House - literally - by abolishing the Legsilative Council.

Ooooooooooo Poowong is even blessed with a Bills' Horse Trough!

For the pic, click HERE.

See? I told you this town and its footy club were good...

even if they DO take after Collingwood....

1989 Central Oz had its worst floods since European settlement.
Lucky buggers!

One can never have too much pride, even in Poowong, despite the fact it's the flushing sort of red carpet premier.....

Gleimous hagfish !!

Nice title, eh?

Well, Frisky Librarian (who happens to also be a Jayne but let's not get confusing) discovered this site - Save The Words - where one may adopt words that are disappearing and, by caring for it, using it frequently and spreading the word (pun intended) one may foster a word to return it back to the world where it will flourish in many uttered and written ways.

 

So, yes, gleimous will be thrown about with gay abandon, spoken and gossiped about in gleimous glee, tossed in sarcastic monologues at half-wits with gleimous grey matter who dare disturb me (hello, you sad little stalker-ish gleimous sack of shyte), I shall inform those with gleimous habits to remove themselves from the general public or at least stay out of my personal space.....

Gleimous ; slimy, full of phlegm.

Gotta love them words!!!

Tiwi Islands Grand Final

For all things Aussie Rules footy the Tiwi Islands are holding their spirited Grand Final today, a repeat performance from last years Grand Final between the Tapalinga Super Stars and the Imalu Tigers.

For the first time ever this is going to be broadcast live on ABC1.

Prior to this Message Stick will air the documentary In a league of their own :The Tiwi Brand about the Tiwi Bombers and their team joining the Darwin league, with plenty of big AFL names involved.

In a League of Their Own : The Tiwi Brand 1.30pm ABC1

Tiwi Island Grand Final    3.30pm ABC1

Just between you, me and the fencepost I'm backing the Tapalinga Super Stars *wink*

Lazy Trivial Sunday History Afternoon, I've Got No March 22 Mind To Worry...

Here we are on another Sunday, lazing about after we've mowed the lawns, weeded the gardens, tickled the worms in the compost and twirled the fertiliser randomly all over the vegie garden.
Yep, another Lazy Sunday....

1819 Macquarie, ever the man of the people, forwarded to the Colonial Office in London a petition from the 1,260 colonists who wanted, nay, demanded a new legal system that included trial by jury and the removal of restrictions on trade and distillation of spirits.
They wanted to brew up, get pissed and be judged by their own peers....I'd say they were successful!

Speaking of Poowong Footy Club...oh, we weren't?

Well, we are now.

Anyway, the Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) has a Bushfire Appeal for footy lovers to donate for the footy cause for all the clubs effected by the recent fires in any capacity, from umpires to Auskick, which will help re-build some small part of the communities.

1859 The Political Labour League of Victoria (please note they had their spelling thumped into them good and proper) was established in Melbourne, which was the first political party dedicated to the working class of Oz.

Mother's Day weekend of May 9 and 10 there's Pink Footy Day where players and fans show their support to those women battling breast cancer all over rural Victoria.

Make a note of it and get along to a country footy match to show your support.

1913 The world's very first ever, brand-spanking-new totaliser was put through its paces at the Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland.

Remember I mentioned that Poowong Footy Club had a to-do with that odd water pipe?

Well that's completely sorted and not only do they have a bigger and deeper dam but they now also recycle storm water run off.

A heck of a lot more than what them in State Govt seem to be doing...

1918 The Great Ocean Road Trust was formed at a public meeting held on this day in Colac.

While we're gossiping about the Great and Illustrious Poowong, you should check out this list of local organisation HERE.

You never know, the Poowong Garden Club might grab you by the peat moss...

1942 The town of Katherine was bombed by the Japanese.

Did I mention that 4 of the senior Poowong Footy Club players have played more than 300 games at senior level?

Not a bad effort considering they only play 18 matches in a season.

1994 Anna Paquin broke the Oscar drought for the Kiwis when she won the Best Supporting Actress statuette for The Piano.

Some stunning photography of in and around the township of Poowong HERE.

I've already spied what looks like a collection of antique china....am firing up the broomstick as we speak....

Adopt A Country Footy Team

Now, I can hear that there's a few readers out there moaning about how to go about choosing a country footy team to adopt....in fact some have been groaning about how Aussie Rules "isn't their thing".
Fine, that's fine.
We can work with you because  -we have the technology! 
Plus the kettle just boiled so I'm all set with a fresh cuppa tea.

Grab yourself a map of your state - it would be a bit pointless if you chose an inter-state team as travelling to the weekend matches could be a teeny weeny bit pricey.
Now, with the map of your home state (yes, that's the state in which you live and no, 'perpetually in fear of the missus' doesn't count) and pick an area that's always tickled your fancy, maybe an area you've wanted to explore more of or someplace where you've visited before and have happy memories  of...maybe even a town you passed through but the looks of the place left a mark on your soul.
Now, get your fingers walking online to find out if there's a
footy team
soccer team
netball team
basketball team
swimming team
tennis squad
lawn bowls team
rugby team
ironing board team
cow pat tossing team
crochet duelling squad
bookclub
cooking/CWA group
historical association
steam train club
or whatever you find thrilling.
You might have to explore surrounding towns if the town you've chosen is either too small to field a team or went broke and amalgamated long ago with another towns team.
Ring the team of your choice.

Go on, they're not going to bite your head off!

Ask questions, how much is single/family/non-playing/playing memberships?
Probably cheaper than a weeks worth of lattes!
When are the social nights?
What is the local accommodation availability like?
What are the public transport services like?
What else does the town offer that you can't find online?
Getting the gen from the horses mouth is worth 10 webpages of incorrect fluff.

Now, remember - this is to support country towns in the looming recession.
Once a footy team - or any service, for that matter - is lost/ removed from a rural community there's 2 chances of getting it back again - bugger all and nothing, even less than Buckley's Chance.
When towns begin to lose sports teams then the next generation looks elsewhere to live, and that is how the life-blood of a country town drains away.
If people have to bank over 30 mins drive away, or shop 100 kms up the road or wait a little longer than a month to see a GP or dentist ...sometimes these things can be tolerated (oh, I know you city slickers wouldn't stand them for a minute but rural communities have had to suck this shyte up for years) so long as there are local attractions/facilities like the local footy/sports teams.

But when there's not even a sports team left at home in the country town, then what makes people stay?

Nothing.

So go find a map, adopt a footy team - or whatever takes your fancy - buy a seasons membership and even have a gander at what merchandise the sports team has to offer.

Get out to explore the town, make a weekend of it, stay over-night, buy local produce, recommend the town to friends and family, spread the word.

Because we cannot afford to lose any more rural communities, as we are all the poorer for their loss.

Incy Wincy Trivial Spider Climbed Up the History Spout, Down Came The March 21 Rain and Washed Poor Incy out...

There you go, as promised, the orb weaver that has apparently claimed ownership of my decking.

1802 Matthew Flinders was a busy chap, trotting off and finding all sorts of things on his explorative travels, like today's Show and Tell subject Kangaroo Island.
Yes, we have so many of the hoppity critters we had to name a whole lump of dirt after 'em.

Just had a lovely chat with a friendly lady connected to the Poowong Footy Club - remember, the team we're adopting this season? - and I've got the goss for you all.

Remember - if we all adopt a country footy club and take out even 1 membership it will help small country clubs in this economic depression recession.

And let's call a spade a fecking shovel here, boys and girls - once the footy team folds it's like a set of dominoes and towns disappear.

Don't let that happen to our fabulous country towns!!!

1864 The very first hansom cab turned up in New Zealand with its driver asking for directions as his Sat-Nav was on the blink (broken).
For a handsome photo of a hansom, click HERE.

I'll be getting some photos to entice you all into day-tripping - or possibly making a weekend of it - down to Poowong (only 90 mins from Melbourne) where the air is fresh, the swimming pool is heated, the squash courts are ready to host your action and the farm produce store is waiting to set your taste buds tingling.

So, what are you waiting for?!

1931 The aircraft Southern Cloud disappeared during a flight from Sydney to Melbourne, with the wreckage not found until 1958.

 

But while we're waiting for those photos from the Poowong Footy Club  let's have anotheree of that 8 legged freak The Spouse has taken to calling "Our Pet".

Dunno what this "our" rubbish is but I'll donate her to Lynne Kelly's Spider Bloggers if she keeps taking over my backyard!

2003 Race Relations Day was formally celebrated for the first time with the theme "Hands up for Kiwis of every race and place".
The theme for 2009 is "People in your neighbourhood".

Now, remember I told you the first kick off for the Poowong Footy Club was April 4?

Well, they're having a practice match today against Yarragon.

So, it's a lovely day, it's the weekend, the footy team  is having a warm up match for the season....

It's only 90 mins from Melbourne....
What are you waiting for...?

2233 Captain James Tiberius Kirk will be pupped in Riverside, Iowa...and if you need to ask "Who is James Tiberius Kirk?" then you really aren't from this planet.

The last time the Poowong Footy Club won the Premiership was in 2004 when Kevin Sheedy's nephew, Adam Sheedy was coaching them.

Guess who's back coaching them again this season....?

Now, anyone going to pop down to Poowong and check out the stamina, fitness and wonderful merchandise of the Poowong Footy Club?

Today's post....

....shall be a teeny bit late.
The Spouse and SmittenKitteh aka Feral Queen dragged me out to eyeball the so-called orb weaver mother-fucker ginormous humongous what industrial strength chemicals did that thing get hit with spider they've been 'protecting' and allowing to take over the decking.
Whilst trying to show some interest in an 8 legged freak nomming on some dead insect, they found an even bigger one hanging off the standard Iceberg rose bush.
The Spouse assures me he's taken plenty of photos.
I might post one tomorrow.
Right after I get past the urge to whack everything, including my family members, with a broom.
But they'd probably enjoy it so I'll just scream quietly into my pillow....right after I've sprayed the room.

Small... by Feral Queen

Even when you're feeling small,

Even when you're feeling 6 feet tall,

Even if there's no one in sight,

Even if you're being cuddled tight,

Even though you're feeling down,

Even though you wear a crown,

Even now you're first in line,

Even now it seems there's no time,

Sometimes there's smiles and sometimes there's not,

Sometimes there's anger and tears, then they're forgot,

Look at the past as though it already been done,

Because your future will hold no one but one.

Hold you're head high and let out a tear,

And move on for now 'cause you'll look back in a year,

And all of this will seem useless or lame,

Because lady, oh lady, you're one great dame!

Hold on, By Feral Queen.

She holds on even though her head says she's not worth it,
She holds on like there's no tomorrow as there wont be if she lets go,
She holds what is dearest to her so tightly that dearest wants to run away.
She holds on to self hatred for what she's done and said.
She holds on like there's no tomorrow, because tomorrow wont be there,
Tomorrow will never come if she continues the way she is.
Tomorrow comes and tomorrow never will, she holds on to her self control.
She grasps at the last little bits of self esteem and holds on with all she is.
She holds on a second and looks at life as it is.
She holds on and takes a breath.
She holds on and looks in the mirror.
She holds on to her intelligence, as she always had,
She holds on to her sense of humor, as always, she always had.
She holds on to her spinal cord and shoves it back in to her back.
She holds on to her self esteem and finally takes a look,
She holds her breath and weeps a bit as she holds on to self respect.

Drop Kick me Jesus Through the Trivial Goal Posts of History Life March 20

Feral Beast submitted his first assignment to the Uni, cover sheet included, which he kindly asked his brain-farted-into-meltdown mother to fill in for him (actually I think assembling a nuclear windmill would be a walk in the park after dragging 750 words out of the fruit of my loins and throwing them at a page).
So, getting back on subject, Feral Beast slept in till nearly 11am , did his usual schoolwork then The Spouse took him out to a lecture on What Killed off The Megafauna? with some seriously serious archaeology and anthropology University types in which Feral Beast pinned the (world famous paleontologist bloke who found that Aussie fish was the first critter to get funky and have sex) lecturer down with some insightful, leading and tough questions (but he was invited to attend the further lectures throughout the year with all the Big Boys so he didn't piss anyone off).

1834 New Zealand's first flag was picked by the 25 chiefs voting on the design they preferred.
Click here to learn more.

Now, obviously in our adoption of the Poowong Magpies footy team some of you out there will have to pop down to Poowong to eyeball the team and judge how fit they are and if they warrant a few little bets on the side they're going to bring home the cup.

1866 The first Cobb & Co. coaches galloped off into the sunset to the West Coast.
The transport vehicles...not the eateries you all mention *pokes tongue out*
Click here to read more.

In fact, some of you could pop down during any weekend before the big kick off on April 4 to sample the wares of the local stores, the entertainment, the history groups, the food, the clean fresh air to cauterise your sinuses....

It's only 90 mins by car, virtually on your doorstep!

1873 Longwood to Violet Town railway line was opened.
Pretty little line, it might surprise some in State Govt to learn it actually did carry trains that transported people, odd though it may seem.

Classical music on offer at Poowong, don't say you can only get your Bach and Beethoven bites in the Big Smoke!

1878 The Queen Victoria Market was opened for business in Melbourne...right on top of approx. 10,000 buried bodies who are still inhabiting Melbourne's 2nd cemetery.
Poltergeist the movie, anyone?

Not only did Poowong have a large Danish farming settlement, but it still boasts alpacas, kennels (See? you can bring the mother-in-law) and a music farm.

No, if I told you what a music farm was I'd then have to keep you in my dirty sock drawer to maintain your silence....

1916 The ANZACs landed in France.

Don't forget the big day is April 4th when our newly adopted team begin to impress us with their KPI average!

1976 A general election was held in Victoria - close enough to record as poltergeist activity with political careers rising from the dead...

You may remember our club for being on the wrong end of a probe into missing water and a rather lush, green footy oval a little while back.

Don't hold that - or this ballad - against them!

1983 Chas, Di and Wee Willy popped in for a cuppa and some scones.

Things get lively in Poowong...like pranks of blowing up local halls during dances....more explosions....bigamy....

1989 The Lil Aussie Weeper, PM Bob Hawke, blubbered on national TV while admitting to doing the dirty on his wonderful wife, Hazel.