The lunatics have trivial taken over the history asylum April 30

Feral Beast has a major essay due in tomorrow.
I might have my computer back sometime next week.
Or perhaps not.


1846 Oh! How perfectly dreadful *she says in her best imitation of the delectable Rupert Everett*
Sir John Eardley-Wilmot got the heave-ho as Gov of Tassie coz he looked better in a tiara than Queen Victoria did he didn't slap the convicts wrists hard enough to stamp out hom-o-sex-u-al-ity.
The world will surely end....!

1864 The warriors of Pai Marire were defeated in a battle at Sentry Hill at Taranaki.
For more information click HERE.

1865 Suffering from depression at the end of a stressful career the former New Zealand Governor Robert FitzRoy did himself a nasty mischief.

1915 One of Oz's very first submarines, the AE2, was scuttled in the Sea of Marmara after being hit during the Gallipoli campaign.

1930 The telephone was connected between Oz and The Old Dart and we haven't been able to get Buck Palace off the line ever since, trying to off-load a few freebie prisoners that come in a complete set with their own wooden boats and marines.

1930 The Anti-Starvation Crusade was created at a meeting in Melbourne.
Presumably by the hordes of unemployed who just happened to be starving.
*sigh* Great Depression...ring a bell?

1952 The passengers were no longer allowed to hop on and off the train between Birregurra and Forrest as The Horrid Powers That Be slaughtered the wonderful train service and Made People Use Their Broomsticks instead.

1990 The Kiwis chucked their 1 and 2 cent coins in the rubbish.

2008 Taxi drivers blocked the intersection of Flinders and Swanston Streets in a protest for more safety measures after a driver was stabbed the day before.
Yes.... the image of semi-nekkid taxi drivers is branded into my grey matter and I shall be forced to live with it until the day I die.....or until someone flashes a Stephen Fry before my very eyes....

I died, too many trivial years ago,you can make history me feel like it isn't so April 29

Having just watched the final ep of Torchwood I'm now thoroughly educated that  -

• There is only 1 police station in the whole of Cardiff, Wales.
• Man-sized Weavils don't roam the streets like kangaroos as we've been led to believe.
• Random buildings exploding throughout Cardiff won't result in mass panic and hysteria like we were promised.
• A gut wound will let you live just long enough to have an audience for your final moments - despite the huge puddle of blood you're soaking in.
• Being dead is no cure for radiation sickness.

And so we look forward to the next installment of that sexy, yummy, delectable thing that is Ianto Jones aka Eye Candy....or Captain John the naughty one who likes bondage....

And if you're having trouble placing todays title lyrics, try HERE.

1952 The ANZUS Treaty came into force - where Oz, NZ and America promised to share their deepest secrets, swap tips on boyfriends and to wax each other's back, sack and crack when needed.
Maybe not.
Just as well I didn't mention anal bleaching, eh?

1954 The big Russian Bear and the Aussie 'Roo stopped do-see-doe-ing around the dance floor and played at being wall-flowers....a little something to do with the Petrov affair.

1967 A referendum was held in NSW - 'cause the BBQ idea got rained out several weekends in a row - to vote on creating a new state somewhere in NSW.
The majority spoke and voted Bert Newton off the island not to carve up anymore land.

1988 The Stockman's Hall of Fame was officially opened in Longreach.
Well, we had to give Queen Liz something to keep her out of mischief, didn't we?!

1989 The Taranaki Herald published it's last ever edition; alas twas the oldest fish 'n' chip wrapper in The Shaky Isles.

Regurgitations from my brain

Hey, Timmeh Holding!
Timmeh! Water Minister person thingie whatsit.
Yeah, you.
I've solved all the water problems for you, poppet.
That's assuming you'll read beyond the first grammatical error I've thoughtfully stuck in this diatribe for you, Timmeh.
Anyways - Desal the sea water (using solar power) out at sea, pump it UP the North-South-who-thought-of-this-rubbish-idea-Pipeline so it discharges potable water into the Murray River, providing H2o for irrigators, farmers, local community services and the environment...and THEN, Timmeh, you can pipe the excess over to one of those almost-empty water storage facilities known as a 'dam'.
No need to thank me, that's what normal people do with their grey matter, Timmeh-poppet, they 'think'.
-----------------------
Swine 'flu....yep, it was only a matter of time before the pigs took their revenge for all that pork crackling, pork scratchings, pork chops, ham, bacon, apple sauce and the token apple-in-the-gob-slow spit-roast experience.
For those in Melbourne and those who can actually open their eyeballs to notice things around them - next time you're at Southern Cross Spencer Street Station read those pale blue signs on the white tiles as you amble your way up to the platform.
What do they say?

Do Not Spit.

Why do you think there might be signs that state you should not expectorate your mucous onto the ground?
For those who slept through history class there was a 'Flu pandemic back in 1918-1920, commonly called the Spanish Influenza.
It managed to kill off more people around the world than the blood-thirsty war mongers had achieved in WW1.
Commonsense states that those dirty, filthy habits - like shoving your knuckles up into your nasal cavity and hoiking up chunky lung oysters - will only help to spread diseases like the Swine 'Flu.

I dream of the day when, once again, it's a chargeable offence to spit....ohhh, yes, indeedy I do. Visions of handcuffs and fire hoses and scrubbing public toilets with toothbrushes....these are a few of my favourite things....!

It's been a long trivial time since the history party and the room is in a mess...April 28...

Yes, it's The Monkees memory lane we're crawling down today...Randy Scouse Git (aka Alternative Title) to be precise.
I do so like their kaftans....do you think they'll make a comeback this Winter?
No?
What do you mean "they went out with shagpile carpet, Dexy's Midnight Runners and yo-yos" ?!
Come on Eileen will be ripping up the charts again anytime....soonish...maybe...

1864 The British troops began the assault on Gate Pa.
For more information click HERE.

1919 The interestingly titled Nayook to Noojee section of the Warragul train line was opened (no, Nanook of the North was not involved in the naming process , nor was Mork from Ork).
Sadly didn't find any orgasmic train station photos but I did hunt down, stalk and capture this link rhapsodising about a restored trestle bridge  we can go eyeball.

1923 The first shovel work was officially started on the Great Coathanger of Sydney...you know....two words, 3 syllables....
Thank you Skippy, it was indeed the Giant Earthworm (yes, I know that's 4 syllables but the 'roo needs encouragement after escaping the baking dish for Sunday roast).
You may visit the Giant Earthworm down Gippsland way near Poowong....

1976 On this day the first asylum seekers arrived by boat in Darwin Harbour; a 17 metre long fishing boat with a WHOLE 5 Vietnamese on board sought refuge from communist rule.
Not "illegal" boat people, not "illegal" asylum seekers.
Because it's far from "illegal" to request refuge or asylum status.

1987 Dick Smith became the first human to get himself to the North Pole in a solo helicopter flight.
Cause we all know Santa uses reindeer.
And Red Bull.

1994 An event that had exciting repercussions all over the world (no, not really but I'm dragging the Poms along for a misery ride with me anyway) was back in the day when the then State Premier Jeff Kennett Jeffed the whole State of Victoria but gave us the free City Circle Tram Service.
Woohoo....

2008 Rattlin' Bones was on the top spot of the Oz charts

I'm seriously underwhelmed

I watched a news program on the idiot box last night as it featured an interview with BushBabe's friend who'd recently lost her 4 week old baby girl Dana to Whooping Cough.
I did the usual soppy thing and had a little cry along with the mother and father on the screen who'd had a beautiful baby and suddenly had her snatched away from them due to this so-called "harmless childhood disease".
And then I got bloody pissed off.
As did the rest of my family who were watching it. The phone lines were running hot in furious indignation.
For baby Dana had died because someone was a carrier of Whooping Cough and that someone could very well be not vaccinated just because of their beliefs.
In northern NSW where this happened 1 in 3 kids are not immunised by their parents' choice, not from medical reasoning.
There was an ignorant, stupid woman included in the interview who was claiming that vaccines will cause all sorts of illnesses, brain damage (including the usual BS about Autism) then to rub salt into the wound she proudly claimed all of her family had had Whooping Cough twice over.
And she lives only 20 kms from the family who lost a baby to that "harmless childhood disease".
She stated that "No one died of these childhood illnesses 30 yrs ago and no one will die of them today".
Ahem.
If "no one will die from them today" WTF happened to that poor, defenceless baby?

People with compromised immune systems, the elderly, the young, those with medical conditions that preclude immunisations - they all rely on YOU to have the vaccine to protect them.
So next time you decide to not immunise your child, take a good long look in the mirror at the most selfish prick in the world - yourself.
Not only are you putting your children at risk but you're condemning countless thousands of others to illness and possibly death.

When people are dying will you be able to look them in the eye and proudly state your convictions in your beliefs?
Or won't you be there to nurse your victims?

As polio is making a comeback will you be the idiot to welcome it into your home with open arms and treat it with homeopathic drops?
Or will you just expect the tax-payer to fork out the dosh you'll need for the kids when they can't walk, talk, feed themselves or shyte their pants?

When you're pregnant and you catch Rubella, have a good read up on the side effects of yet another "harmless childhood disease" while you're booking a place in the Special Ed school for your unborn baby.

Don't forget - now that there's all this "inclusiveness" you won't be able to hide the brain damaged away in the institutions , so sad too bad you'll be faced with your handiwork each and every day.
Such a pity we can't round up the selfish, self centred idiots who choose to play Russian roulette with other people's lives and lock them away like Typhoid Mary.

Whoa Black Betty (trivial bam a lam) whoa Black Betty (history bam a lam) Black Betty had an April 27 child (bam a lam) damn thing's gone wild (bam a lam)

...and now that you have the tune trickling through your brain go check out the full video clip to Spiderbait's superior version HERE.
Coz I loves me some of that hot rod....and the ballsy song...and Kram is a nice eyeful over brekkie at the computer desk of a morning....

Am currently bopping to music from Keating! The Musical which is being replayed on telly.
I like a good musical.....wish there were more feather boas and fishnets and corsets in this one but it seems only Alexander Downer (Federal Aussie pollie, of course) got to flash his flesh.


It's Morse Code Day to commemorate the date of Samuel Morse's birth on this date in 1791.
So...go dot and dash yourself about the place like a wild whirlygig.
Go on...you know you really want to....

1805 Gov King parceled up some troops and posted them off to the Hawkesbury region to deal with the European settlers who'd been done a (fatally) nasty mischief by the Aboriginals.

1827 In Regent Park the London Zoo opened on this day.
At least they've managed to lengthen Princess Anne's leash over time...

1867 John and Thomas Clarke were not "poor, misunderstood lads who didn't bond with their mother/father/teacher, were toilet trained too early/late, never had a pony/bicycle/scooter/spray can/flick knife of their very own" they really were very naughty boys.
They were so naughty in fact they were arrested, on this day, for bushranging and poking 4 Special Constables with pistols and lead bullets.

1893 Kiwi Prime Minister John Ballance (who was so healthily balanced he supported women getting the vote) passed away from cancer on this day and was buried following a state funeral 3 days later.
Read more about this chappie HERE.

1895 Gossip from the Richmond Guardian -
The Swan Street train station and bridge were a damn eye-sore way back then.
Phew, it's not just me, then!

1898 Just for Lisa (who's a Weet-Bix girl at heart and can we state "I did 3 this morning, how many did you do?" even though it sounds awful LOL) The Sanitarium Health Food Agency was registered in Oz on this date.
But 2 teaspoons of sugar and just enough milk to cover makes it seems as fresh as a daisy...

1971 Relics were dragged up from the 1629 wreck of the Batavia off the coast of Westralia.
Yes, yes, it's not actually archaeology but treasure hunting.

Leaves are trivial brown, and the history sky is a hazy shade of April 26 Winter...

It's a chilly, chilly day here in Melbourne with the weather people telling us to stay indoors ( a la Doctor Who-ish) as we're expecting 130km winds with sleet, snow, hail, fires of Hades, 3 horsemen of the apocalypse (the other one's running late, had to re-shoe his steed) rain, storms of frogs, centipedes and the dreaded Hagfish.
So...take a brolly!

Edit-

Just a quick note to readers ...

Please don't wish "Happy ANZAC Day", there's nothing "happy" about it and it's certainly not something you'd say at a funeral which is what ANZAC Day is similar to.

1802 Matthew Flinders examined Port Phillip....and graciously gave it a passing credit mark of 74%.

1890 Transcribed from the Richmond Guardian-
Crikey!
Things were a bit rough when a resident of Neptune St had to approach the council for a light in the street owing to two instances of garotting after dark.
Sweeny Todd aint got nothing on the residents of Richmond!

1890 In polar opposites of dangerous garotting suburbs Banjo Paterson's The Man from Snowy River was first published in The Bulletin.
This proved far more popular past-time of the two.
Go figure!

1926 Poor old Bobby Leach; whilst on a tour of The Land of The Long White Cloud trumpeting his past glory in ripping over Niagara Falls he slipped on an orange peel on a footpath and died from an infection obtained in the injury to his leg.
Moral of the story?
Conquering the Falls will lead to pride before a fall....or saving wormies from citrus in the compost.

1943 NZ ship Limerick, whilst in a convoy from Sydney to Bribane, was torpedoed off Cape Byron and sank with the loss of a NZ engineer and an Oz officer.
For more info on the merchant navy during the war click HERE.

1953 Ceasefire peace talks were happening in Korea.

1985 More than 2,000 submission were received towards the (NZ) Homosexual Law Reform Bill before closure on this day.

1987 In an interview that had pollies everywhere polishing their desks with vigour and women silently taking notes Jan Murray spilled the beans on 60 Minutes that she'd done the nasty with hubby John Brown on his Federal Parliament desk.

2005 The (NZ) Civil Unions and Relationships Act came into force on this day with several couples applying for licences that morning.
This allows same-sex and de facto couples to establish a legal union that is similar to marriage.
Ohhh, I can hear the rednecks choking on their weetbix....

ANZAC Day April 25

 Watched an old ep of Midsomer Murders last night that I hadn't seen first time round....only to get called away during the final 15 mins !!!!!!!
GRRRRRRRRR!!!
There were that many turning their toes up (even a copper) I was waiting for Internal Investigations to tap Tom Barnaby on the shoulder and begin questioning him about misappropriating the pub drink funds for the new patio under which he'd probably hidden more bodies...
(Maybe that was too Fred and Rosemary West-ish? How about barrells filled with bodies instead of water? No, too Snowtown-ish ? Hearths ? Baths? Lime pits? Local doctors? Bugger it, at least there wasn't a rogue stingray doing anyone in.....)
The Spouse told me what happened but when it's relayed in a monotone by someone struggling to keep their eyes open and not to snore it's a tad difficult to grasp the finer points and sorta takes the shine off it.
So I started digging in the backyard...in the dark....

Don't forget to check out the Legacy fundraiser Raise a Glass Appeal.

 Found another great site with songs from WW1 HERE.

1915 The NZ portion of the ANZAC Corps landed at Gallipoli with more than half of the 8,500 who served there dying from illness, wounds or killed outright.
For the Guide to ANZAC Day for NZers click HERE.


1915 The Aussies landed at Gallipoli and proceeded to bloody the sands of that cursed beach.
For an intro to ANZAC Day click HERE.

1916 ANZAC Day was observed for the first time to remember the fallen while the dismal butchery continued.

1925 The Australian War Memorial was established in Canberra in recognition of the fact that the country had lost a whole generation of their brightest future in a useless bloody slaughter.

1935 While a recently caught shark was on show at the Coogee Aquarium it coughed up a man's arm, later identified as belonging to a former boxer, James Smith, who was, it turned out, missing.
And it was repeated almost 67 years to the day when THIS HAPPENED.
Extra chunky....

1977 The Bridge of Remembrance, in Christchurch, became a pedestrian area.

1986 The 11th (and final) National Conference of Lesbians and Gay Men was held at the NSW University.

2009 The Auckland Museum War Memorial will be open after the dawn service.

It's a long trivial way to Tipperary, it's a long history way to go, it's a long way to April 24 Tipperary to the sweetest girl I know...

 ....Goodbye Piccadilly!

Farewell Leicester Square!

It's a long, long way to Tipperary

But my heart's right there!

For a listen to some very vintage audio files, circa 1914, of that song click HERE.

Just watched a brilliant tv doco Lost in Flanders which was two Aussie historians working with the No Man's Land Group of archaeologists who traced the path some of the Aussie battalions took during WW1 and followed up on the identification of the recently discovered bodies  of the five Aussie soldiers found at Polygon Wood.
Scarily Hill 60 is still a pock-marked, scarred group of earthen embankments; anonymous lumps, bumps and ditches carpeted in green grass with concrete pillboxes poking through.

Had to laugh at the sheer stupidity of some Aussies (and be completely ashamed at the same time) who have no flippin' idea what the NZ stands for in ANZAC and the one tosspot of a Uni student who threw a hissy fit at having a Kiwi *gasp* talking to Aussies about the ANZACS...yep, he'll definitely get the Fark-knuckle of the Year Award LOL.

NZ On Screen is airing some fantastic and exclusive docos and films, for free, to commemorate ANZAC Day.

ABC TV has launched a new interactive educational site Gallipoli: The First Day.

1860 HMCS Victoria (the ship not the state) sailed from Hobart (that's in Tassie) to NZ (that's over the ditch) with Brit troops (from overseas or some say outer space) to fight in the war at Taranaki (that's on the North Island) between the Maoris and the colonists.

1877 Larks a lordy!
The madness of those pollies, ey Kosky?
There they were opening yet another railway line; this time from Ararat to Dunkeld.
Imagine! The hoi polloi could actually travel and get places and rely on the transport...

Blasphemy!!!!

1899 The Victorian Royal Commission looking into refrigerated stores and a wine depot began....'cause every politician knows you can't start a new century without properly chilled wine, now can you?

1911 The public in Sydney were given a proper treat when Vaucluse House and gardens were declared to be riddled with gold there for the taking a public park.

1918 On the Western Front the second battle of Villers-Bretonneux took place .

1922 NZ held the first Poppy Day.

1998 The Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum was opened.

Old King Cole was a trivial merry old soul and a history merry old soul was he, he called for his pipe, he called for his bowl and he called for April 23...

 Bit of a pattern happened on this day.
Wonder if Charlie, Lizzie and crew have bolted the doors to The Buck Palace B&B just to be on the safe side?!

303 St George of the Roman Empire, popped his clogs.

725 Wihtred, King of Kent, popped his clogs.

871 Ethelred, King of Wessex, popped his clogs.

1014 Brian Boru, King of Ireland, popped his clogs.

1016 Ethelred The Unsteady, King of the English, popped his clogs.

1124 Alexander I, King of the Scots, popped his clogs.

1616 William Shakespeare, Drama Queen extraordinaire, popped his clogs.

1813 Whilst playing a game of Rum Rebellion a group of convicts came up with the mad idea of stealing the schooner Unity from the Derwent River and disappearing off the page of history.
So...they did.

1887 There was (so rumour has it) a railway track opened on this day attached to these beautiful train station buildings some architect flung into the wilds of Victoria, one for Camperdown and a matching one for Terang.
Scroll to the pics lower down the page and click on them for some serious brick and mortar lovin'.

1960 The Nerk Twins made their debut appearance at The Fox and Hounds in Caversham, Berkshire.
If you cannot recall them perhaps the names John Lennon and Paul McCartney (at Paul's cousins' pub) may Help!
Sorry, couldn't resist...

1977 Adam and The Ants made their grand entrance at The Roxy in London.
Go drool over the young Stuart on Youtoob HERE...or catch up with the lush and ripe version HERE.

1983 Prince William dragged his mater and pater kicking and screaming along to the lawns of Government House in Auckland just to play with Buzzy Bee.
And now I know how deprived my childhood was without a Buzzy Bee.... 

1989 Kylie Minogue graced Brit Tv screens for the first time when they were given The Henderson Kids to fall asleep by watch.
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha resistence is futile....and failing that, she's permanently perched in The Old Dart now!

Everybody knows trivial everyone, we like it history that way, April 22 Sun comes up and goes down, another birth another day...

Have become addicted to the "forensic fairy tale" comedy series Pushing Daisies.
Quite like the sets, Katherine Hepburnesque dresses , the pies and narration style...plus the dead-coming-back-to-life thang is pretty interesting.

Speaking of the dead coming back to life - The Bring Back Dave & Grace Fan Club held an extraordinary meeting (extraordinary as the President supplied buttered coffee scrolls for all members without passing round the hat first) where it was nominated and seconded that the now-defunct-but-popular-in-rerun Something In The Air rural soap should be dragged back out of the coffin it was shoved in (due to the President realising the reruns were about to run out of episodes!).
We shall begin sending emails to Emu Springs and 3ES immediately!

1843 News from The Land of The Long White Cloud included the exciting discovery of caves full of human bones who provided a good pot of stew as their final act of kindness...pass the tooth picks and spare the cranberry sauce, Jeeves!

 1846 News from Port Phillip was full of woe - the land was too dry (imagine that!), drapers' assistants had shortened their working hours, butchers refused to sell meat on Sundays (the nerve!), pubs and licences were on the rise (some things never change!), Melbourne rents were skyrocketing (again, nothing new!) and those down Western Port way were being loud and rowdy about their post offices....

1874 There was a general election held in Victoria....because someone, somewhere wanted to be important!
Who?
Dunno.....and don't care.
Teapot is hot, might have another cuppa....

1882 Bust open the champers, boys and girls, the railway line from Cope Cope to Donald was ready to run the sleek wheels of those lovely trains.
Cope Cope train station was on the Mildura railway line, just a bit before the Donald Freezing Company Siding (which was just a smidgeon before Donald itself) but after the Swanwater station which came just after Sutherland train station ...which was just a tad after St Arnaud (which is still where it was put...I think).

1936 The Ratana Church and the NZ Labour Party (who can still spell correctly) sealed their alliance today.

On the dark trivial desert highway, cool wind in my history hair, warm smell of April colitas rising up through the 21st air

Bizarre, dear readers, pure balefully bizarre happenings in this neck of the cat-house, with the felines tripping us up, the canines nibbling on our toes and the rabid rabbits from down the lane measuring us for the pot.
And the rough side of the cat's tongue is to tenderise the prey...or so my feline chef tells me as she sandpapers my feet..............

1894 Transcribed in my own words from The Richmond Guardian (over a particularly tasty kebab)...
The latest Medical Association meeting was all agog over t*eh* th* (dratted drippy garlic sauce) the rivetting chat about a labourer in the Moe swamp having contracted blood poisoning from the scratch of a platypus' claws.

Good boy...I'll put out some extra alfalfa for you tonight....tomorrow we'll take over the world!

1917 The Imperial War Graves Commission was established to upkeep the far-too-many war memorials and cemeteries.

1961 The Masterton War Memorial Stadium played host to the first Golden Shears Competition, with 300 shearers from Oz and NZ and probably many shouts of the traditional,
"Who called the cook a bastard?"
answered with the usual ,
"Who called the bastard a cook?"

Ivan Bowen was the winner for those with wagers hanging on the outcome.

1970 Westralia farmer L.G Casley re-branded himself as Prince Leonard and his farm became The Hutt River Province, independent from the Commonwealth of Oz.
...then Dorothy clicked her Ruby slippers and chanted "There's no place like home" while Toto did a whoopsie on the rug....

Please tell them it isn't trivial fair to take away my only history dream April 20

 Late, yes, yes, I noticed.
Never mind, here tis, mind the bog roll blog roll and the extra additions...

It's Lima Bean Respect Day....when was the last time you showed a little respect for the oh so humble yet powerful Lima Bean?
And eating them on toast swimming in bacon and tomato doesn't count!

1836 John Batman and his missus and billy lids rocked up in Port Phillip to carve a comfy spot on Batman Hill for themselves (which is now the simply splendid Southern Cross Spencer Street Station yards).

1883 Upon the Kulwin Railway Line the Koorong Vale to Charlton (Victoria, not the one in UK) section was flung open for the many passengers who enjoyed parking their posteriors on the seats until 1977.

1895 Transcribed From The Richmond Guardian -
Things were finally getting interesting in Council chats when Mr Bennett had a jolly old whinge that when his cattle were caught out alone on the Richamond streets (after dark in fishnets and cheap perfume?) the Council impounded them and charged him the sum of 5 shillings per head to liberate them back into his clutches, no matter how short a moment the bovines had enjoyed the pleasure of the Pound.
One wonders if it ever occured to Mr Bennett he would have been better off investing those many 5 shillings into proper fencing?

1906 The London Zoo mourned the passing of it's 26 year old wombat.
....and then Princess Anne roused herself yet again.....

1908 Similar to the earlier Rakaia train crash in 1899 in New Zealand, the rail disaster at Sunshine, Victoria, involved holiday makers returning home from the Easter Long Weekend picnic, with 44 killed and 500 injured.

1958 The first Mormon Temple opened in Hamilton, NZ.

Like a trivial rhinestone cowboy, ridin' out on a history horse in a star spangled April 19 rodeo

We may take a moment to briefly mention the trouncing of Poowong Football Club against Catani.
Yes, fellow Poowong-enthusiasts, it seems as though Poowong are circling the dunny bowl with a bucketing of  9.12.66  to  15.5.95.
But fear not!
The MIGHTY Poowong Magpies will rise from 8th (oops, that was last week) 11th spot on the  ladder to reclaim the top spot for themselves...eventually.
They might be taking their time but I feel it in my water that the Big Poo 'Pies will be flyin' high...soon.

Today is Primrose Day in England.
Nup, I got nothing...

Although Pagan for Irish Snakes and Serpents Under Protection (read the initials) hoped this would become Snakes Return to Ireland Day.
Nup....still got nothing...

1893 The Kiwi Liberal Govt wanted to break up the larger estates into smaller farms so the Cheviot Estate was bought...consisting of a trifling 34,300 hectares in North Canterbury.
For more info, great photos but, sadly, no cheap acreage, click HERE.

1904 The Great Toronto Fire, that destroyed a massive portion of the Canadian city, occurred on this day.
More than 100 buildings were razed to the ground but amazingly not one life was lost.

1968 The Desert Mounted Corps Memorial on ANZAC Parade was dedicated.

1984 They were busy little Vegemites on this day when they officiously announced that not only was Advance Australia Fair the National Anthem (the lyrics of which no footballer ever seems to know) but that Green and Gold were now the official colours for Oz.

2003 Conrad Leonard passed over the Ebony and Ivory Keys for the final time, the oldest working musician in Britain at age 104.

2008 The Oz 2020 summit had its get together to...get together to throw ideas around the room and to see which one would stick.
Which one did stick, after all that fuss...?

She keeps trivial Moet et Chandon in a history pretty cabinet,Let them eat April 18 cake she says

 Hopefully the MIGHTY Poowong Magpies will be coming home a triumphant team of winners this arvo!
So, pop on down to Poowong (only 90 mins from Melbourne!) to savour the delights of the town, the atmosphere and the footy match.

Adopt a Country Footy Team to help keep our rural communities alive.

1847 The Gilfillan farm , near Wanganui, was raided by Maori and resulted in the murders of 4 of the family.
For further information click HERE and HERE.

1872 Oh you great sodding bastards.
To think ... we've been deprived of the chance to catch a train from the oh-so-gorgeously titled Schoolhouse Lane train station, which happened to open on this day as the terminus of the North East Railway line from Essendon.
May your chooks turn into emus and kick your dunny door down.

1969 Brit singer Lulu got hitched to Aussie singer Bee Gee Maurice Gibb.
Twas a match made in heaven, obviously, when they had to delay their honeymoon for her appearence in  the Eurovision song contest.....!

1970 Today was a Saturday, waaaaaaaaaay back when VFL Park opened.
Well....now that animal's as dead as the proverbial doornail and we can thank the dwarves and their gold mining for that, now can't we?!
Whaddya mean "what planet are you on and have you taken the wrong meds again"?
The whole planet is over-run with evil gold mining dwarves with 'nads of stainless steel and a pathological hatred of living doornails.
Don't tell me you've actually seen a living doornail lately?
See? Proves I'm right!

2004 Connex took over the whole.entire.complete.absolute.total.suburban rail network in Victoria.
 Lo, the Goddess did See this and was Most Sad.
Yea, she did weep buckets.
And bewail her lost train set with much teeth gnashing and flailing of tree tops.
She did call before Her the Minions who doth scurry about the government hallways but they were afrightened to face the Goddess for they knew they had done Her a most foul wrong, so they hid themselves in the teeny tiny ratholes and, thus, to this day they are shunned by all that is good and kind.

Friday Mystery From 1846 -The Stuffed Bird in The Box

December 1846 and some enterprising lass was determined to make her way from the wilds of Tassie to the wilds genteel town of Port Phillip *cough cough* to spend Christmas.

The ship Shamrock was about to scoop up her skirts and sally forth into the Strait of Bass from Launceston when a late parcel was delivered upon her decks;  a 4 foot x 2.5 foot case, supposedly fragile and needing to be handled with care as it was full of stuffed birds.
Stuffed bird is right -except this little mockingbird was not of the feathered variety.
When the ship docked at Port Phillip the following day the case was found busted open with one or two clues to tattle as to what, or rather whom, had travelled in the box - a bit of bread, a bottle and a lady's comb.
The Melbourne Town gossips were hard at speculating and spreading the good word but at the time of publication, January 2, 1847, none had solved the mystery of the stuffed bird in the box.

*Insert maniacal laughter (bordering on hysteria with a hint of desperation) here*

TGIF  (Thank God It's Friday for those of you not silly enough to pay attention to calenders).
The Brits are going to hand out lots of lolly to encourage everyone to get on the electric car fad.
The Germans want to see bumper to bumper electric cars....and have an electric filling station network, while China wants to be the world producer of electric cars.

AUSTRALIA COULD HAVE BEEN LEADING THE FRIGGING WORLD.

Bloody tools, toss pots and turds in Govt totally screwed up royally when they threw a tanty and blocked the Reva electric car only a few years ago.
Petrol was rising....but they said no to the Reva.
Media attention was on rising carbon emissions...but they said no to the Reva.
There were suggestions of solar-supplied electricity recharging points...but they said no to the Reva.
Smaller wheel base meant less congestion on the roads...but they said no to the Reva.
A whole $15,000 to buy and $1 to charge...but they said no to the Reva.
Labor and the Greens backed the Reva at the time.....haven't heard too much from them about the Reva since the change in Govt.

And what, pray tell, has Brumby been pickling his brain in of late?
His pathetic tariff capping will discourage installation of solar panels on private homes and to feed unused power back to the electricity grid.
Having his ministers continually whine,
"Solar won't generate enough electricity" helps the cause, of course.
Local Power seems to be the way to go, this council seems to be encouraging solar power, these councils are offering discounted solar panels....
Goodness, someone better tell Brumby he's supposed to be pushing for increased solar-generated power, not against it!
Increased population + increased demand on the power supply = a current fossil fuel power supply that ISN'T GENERATING ENOUGH ELECTRICITY.
Ahem, Brumby?

Obama is plumping for a fast rail system.
Let's look at this - looming depression recession, investment in local infrastructure, employment for locals, income, spenditure and profit generated locally.....(Mount Rushmore was cut from the same cloth as was our local Great Ocean Road)....
Has someone shown this commonsense idea to Kosky or Brumby...or anyone still alive in Victorian Govt?

In the midnight trivial hour I can feel your history power, just like a prayer you know I'll take you April 17 there....

Coming up to ANZAC Day and continuing the bicycle themed posts from Canterbury Heritage and Kuaka I found this fabulous photo and article about the New Zealand Cyclist Corps who served in WW1 HERE.

1880 The people's choice of the winner of the first inter-city brass band competition was the Invercargill Garrison Band.
W00T!

1914 Those crazy gals who wanted the vote...golly gee willikers, they sure went all out, just so us females could speak our mind, like bombing Yarmouth Pier and leaving the blokes to pick up the-then repair tab of  £15,000.

Some odd-bod went to the trouble of writing this missive to the Editors of the Australian and New Zealand Gazette on the fact that Auckland, Wellington, etc, had become obsolete names (someone better tell John Key!) and how NZ needed a nicer name...than NZ.

1963 Tauranga in The Land of The Long White Cloud became a city...but was apparently not obsolete.

1964 The world was introduced to one of the beautiful creations known to mankind as the Ford Mustang.
Yeah, I just drooled on the keyboard....sorry about that...

1967 The Wolfenden Association  - later to be known as the NZ chapter of The Homosexual Law Reform Society - was established by members of the Dorian Club located in Wellington.

1989  Madge was on top of the Aussie charts crooning What Would Zombie Jesus Do? Like A Prayer.
Yes, handbasket...hell...arriving shortly...

Knowing me, knowing trivial bugger all after midnight....

It's after midnight and this little black duck has gone "PHOOF!" and turned into a pumpkin.
Orange is soooooooooooo not my colour...makes my skin look sallow....and clashes with my lime green and tartan sheepskin Crocs (no, I really don't have any that colour - the visuals are just for Kelley).
Do they do tartan sheepskin Crocs..... yet?

1880 Laws were carved in stone to drag fun-lovin' NSW 6-14 yr olds off to school each and every day, and lock 'em in for the duration to Get Some Learnin' In Their Heads.

1892 Noooooooooooooooooooo!
The NZ Rugby Union was established during a meeting in Wellington.
I feel so soiled now.....

1907 Thrills and spills were happenin' at the opening of the first 2 agricultural high schools in Sale and Warrnambool on this day....which happened to be a Tuesday so I'm guessing someone got a tad behind with the building project and the Grand Opening (with added media circus and brass band) was delayed a day coz Tuesday is an odd day to open any, let alone 2, schools on.

1972 Electric Light Orchestra made their grand debut in The Fox and Greyhound pub in Croydon, London.

2003 And now for something completely different....
The Aussie Army Special Forces began galloping after the suss acting ship, Pong Su, after it was noticed loitering near the coastline near the tourist town of Lorne.

One shouldn't really drink lukewarm coffee after midnight.....starting to hallucinate the tartan Crocs....perhaps I should share the brilliant rainbowiness of them with Kelley....
Oh I can so hear her squealing with terror as she reads this.....

In The Wild With....

 

Feral Beast.

Luring me deeper into the bush....

Actually, it's only the wilds of Mordialloc, the track down beside the creek in beachside suburbia.

  

The vision splendid from the front door of the little-known Aboriginal Reserve, consisting of 340 hectares along the Mordialloc Creek. 

Until the land rose in value.

Strange that....

  

Such hardship we home-schooling parents have to go through on these excursions for the Fruit of Our Loins to research and learn for their education.

Bright sunny days, beautiful beaches, paddling in the shallows...yes, indeed it is difficult but we'll soldier on...

 

Never mind the bustle in your hedgerow, this is what happens when your hedge inserts itself in your stern....

Ouch...?

 

Rarely sighted in recent times these have been placed on the Really, Really Endangered-Oops-I-Think-They've-Had-It List-

The Pebble and Concrete bus shelter, a dying breed.

 

When Mum is a stingy cow and won't let you have extra money says "Use what we've got in the shed" it's time to get Dad to make a sieve of your very own for archaeology digs.

Speaking of the archaeology dig -

 

The obligatory old bed sheet covering the trench to prevent contamination, dogs and the stray DropBear burying it's kill in the hole.

One has often wondered when will we get to see Phil's old bedsheets on Time Team....

Cheer, cheer the red and the white, trivial honour the name by history day and by April 15 night....

Someone forgot to tell the other programmer that there wasn't any matches on throughout the Easter weekend...apparently.
See HERE.
Even though it clearly states HERE that round 2 would take place on April 11.
BUT!
Fear not, good Poowong enthusiasts!
This simply means the MIGHTY Magpies have an extra week of training to trounce Catani with the home ground advantage of the MIGHTY Poowong Maggies!!!!

1838 William Watts took one look at the Yarra River and the thought sprung to his mind,
"By, gum, now there's a body of water so thick with muck a person could walk on it,"
But he got a tad wet when he tried it so he launched the first punt (I said "Punt"..."PUNT"...for goodness sake The.Letter.Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...clean your ears out!).
Anyway Billy boy set sail in the first PUNT on the Yarra River.

1868 The very first two Maori MP's were voted into Parliament, Frederick Russell and Tareha Te Moananui, were elected totally unopposed.

1885 The first sod of soil was dug for the North Island Main Trunk Railway line.
Toot, toot and put yer backs into it!

1903 Bendigo began running electric trams.
Yes, twice around the greyhound track every day and thrice on Sundays.
(Hmm. Haven't used the word thrice for awhile, I may air it out in public....I'm thinking out loud again, aren't I?).

1985 The Wellington Town Hall played host to a rather raucus anti-law reform meeting with an audience of 1,000, more than 600 of them happy, cheerful and Gay.
Oh and LBT, too.

Grandma Mehitabel's Menu-

Healthy Home made Baked Beans.

Take 1 large tin of Four/Five Bean mix (or dried beans will do), toss into a pot with an uber-large tin of diced tomatoes (or the end-of-season glut of toms from the garden will do nicely).

Toss in a generous handful of mixed herbs, crack some pepper over the pot, some diced ham/bacon, garlic to taste, some spring onions (regular make-you-cry-like-a-baby onions will substitute).

Burble away on a low heat, stirring often, then serve on toast.

Now the trivial workers have struck history for fame 'cause April 14 Lennon's on sale again....

I'm still awaiting to hear if the MIGHTY Poowong MAGPIES soared over Catani....
But, in the meantime, the Poowong  District Landcare, The CCC Meeting and the Poowong Apex Club all have meetings listed for later this month.
Although...I don't think they'll give you a kick or let you field the goal square much...

In other feverish news I've fallen totally in lurve and lust with Scot comedian Craig Hill.
A razor sharp tongue, a gorgeous accent, a wit to revel in....and can wear a leather kilt with the greatest elan.
He'll never replace Stephen  Fry in my scrapbook photo frames secret room affections.
But...he does have a BLOG!
Those legs...!
That leather kilt....!

1772  Elizabeth Russell turned up her toes on this day at the young age of 104 in Streatham, UK, only for every man, woman and child to be informed by the undertaker that she was, in fact, a he.
Fancy.
That.
Streatham was where Doctor Who , James Bond and a bloody great long tapeworm took up residence (in the tapeworm's case it was the Streatham locksmith's innards) but click HERE to find out the details.
Or not.

1827 You will not care but you will read as your eyes are now glued to this sentence and you're unable to look away that it is the birth date of the archaeologist Augustus Pitt Rivers, no, not a relation of comedian Joan Rivers therefore he could still dig her up at some point without impinging his professional reputation.
Except I think he's kinda dead.
So...they'd be a perfect match...?

1870 The delectable township of Gulgong was found to be littered with rich gold nuggets, apparently but you don't want to hear about that sort of street talk.

1877  Henri L'Estrange proved that imitation is, indeed, the greatest form of flattery when he branded himself as The Australian Blondin and galloped across Middle Harbour.
If anyone wants to know more click HERE.

1885 Would anyone be interested in the fact that that bustling little hub of rural enchantment, Orbost, was today proclaimed grown up enough to get into long pants and call itself a town?
No?
Just forget that I spoke, then.

1912 Hello?
Does anyone give a fig some ruddy great boat smacked upside a block of ice?
If any of you start humming the movie theme tune I'll be...(yep, there you go, I heard you humming under your breath).... forced to post this link to a parody.

1932 Perhaps I could dazzle the readers with the Queen Street Riots in Auckland during the Great Depression?
Perhaps I shant.

Nellie the elephant packed her trunk and headed back....to her grrls, came out of the closet and lived happily ever after.

Yes, reading the round up of GLBT news - I've had some serious chocolate noshing on my plate recently - I was impressed with a Polish elephant who had the gonads to come out of the $11million closet....then again it may have been natural for him so some right-wing rednecks better scurry on over there to "educate" the heffalump on how he's supposed to behave.
Ignore Mother Nature, what would she know, she's only a female!
Perhaps slappin' an XXXX Large condom (ribbing an optional extra) on the boy might inspire him to explore the great grey gals?
Highly unlikely but how abouts we send Pelly and his mate Benny over to "counsel" Ninio....with a bit of luck the poor pachyderm will fall asleep before they can abuse his ears beyond 5 mins.
Because, of course, condoms are just increasing the AIDS epidemic!!!
Silly us, why on earth didn't the whole world realise that little gem before now?
And that naughty "Virginia Woolf and that crowd in England"...well!
All those historians before that time must have been telling monstrous porky pies about the sexual games and antics above and below British stairs and throughout Oz, India, Europe, the USA, etc.
Because, apparently, everyone were good little bois boys and grrls girls, who merely held hands and looked coyly at each other over white picket fences before they married in the church at a respectable age and then pupped the obligatory 146 children to populate the local sweatshop/child labour cotton mill/ factory/farm country before turning up their toes at the great age of 40 and getting planted in the nearby boneyard.
Don't you just love history revisionists?!  *gag*

Oh Mickey, you're so trivial fine, you're so history fine you blow my mind, Hey Mickey! Hey Mickey! April 13

Now that we have survived The Annual Day of Chocolatey Goodness, let's give thanks it only happens once per year and hope the damn shops stop stocking Hot Cross Buns before Boxing Day, ffs!
The chocolate elf that lives in the cabbage patch told me that the fairies in the gum tree, Esmerelda and Isabella, were quite real and that I should keep listening and doing exactly as they tell me.
And that the creepy over-the-back-fence neighbour has a stash of dirty mags in his shed....
That's about where I ate his chocolatey head off, Your Honour, and it wasn't good chocolate which proved he'd slipped past quality control....

1204 The Fourth Crusade royally screwed up when it started sacking Constantinople (not Istanbul) on the 12th April and kept their end up on this day, too, but take me back to Constantinople (not Istanbul) you can't go back to Constantinople (not Istanbul), been a long time gone Constantinople, why did Constantinople gets the works...that's nobody's business but the Turks....
If that was too vague try clicking HERE.

1841 Get to the milliners, gals!
The first races held at Flemington were on this day.
No, I have not the foggiest who won or the odds involved....but I'll bet my last dollar that Eddie MacGuire was calling the Fashions on the Field even then.

1876 Tightrope walker and daredevil in general, Charles Blondin, popped into Chch for a demonstration of his death-defying skills.

1893 The E.S & A Bank (English, Scottish and Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi Counting House) shut up shop for *ahem* "reconstruction" during the savage 1890's depression caused by a huge boom where people could build castles in the air with money on the Never-Never....
Yep, almost exactly like today.

1896 The National Council of Women was established in Christchurch by those fiesty gals who'd been active in the suffrage movement.
For more info click HERE.

1951 The 5th Doctor graced this planet with his reincarnation as Peter Davison.

1969 Brisbane trams ceased running.
No, they didn't commence trotting or even sauntering down the line...although they were inspired by the song, "Cruisin' down the river on a Sunday afternoon..." for a nanosecond.

1983 The Rats of Tobruk Memorial in ANZAC Parade was dedicated to the memory of the servicemen who gave their lives during the seige of Toburk in 1941.

1997 St Andrews on The Terrace in Wellington was graced with Presbytarian minister Alyson Murrie-West who also happened to be an out and proud Lesbian.
*gasp*
Does she do Christenings?

Sadie, the trivial cleaning history lady, with trusty April 12 scrubbing brush and pail of water....

I think today's post speaks for itself.
Otherwise we could get in one of those translators to work out what the heck it's trying to say.
Not Nicole Kidman, though, we won't have her as a translator.
She'll just coo and dribble all over the page in mistake for Sunday Roast Rose.

Pass the mint sauce....and the baked spuds....and sprouts...and gravy.....

1826 Can't get a good housemaid, ladies?
Fear Not!
The Female School of Industry has just this day opened in Sydney to train girls in the Domestic Arts!
Order yours today!
But Wait!
There's More!
Order 2 or more maids and we'll throw in a free set of steak knives!
Yes, steak knives!
Even though there's nothing to eat with the steak knives they can be used to hack your way through the wood for the stove, to carve a new window above your non-existent hand basin or perhaps try cutting yourself a new pair of boots out of hubby's old saddle.
So, hurry on down to the Female School of Industry where we have sentenced imported our very own operators to take your call!

1913 The Brand Spanking New Kiwi destroyer, HMS New Zealand, began a tour around Aotearoa.
For more info click HERE.

1924 While on the other side of The Ditch... HMAS Australia was sent to the bottom of the ocean in accord with the disarmament agreements following WW1.
For particulars and a lovely photo (which would be set off nicely in a matt black frame) click HERE.

1941 The ANZAC Corps was reformed in Greece, during WW2, by General Blamey.

1961 Absolutely gorgeous and wildly talented Aussie comedian, Magda Szubanski, blessed the cabbage patch in which the stork dropped her.

1964 The Wayside Chapel in Sydney, for all of those who need a little assistance handling Life, was born on this day with help from the Good and Great Rev. Ted Noffs.

1974 Excitingly Victoria Railways adopted the name VicRail for trading.
A rose by any other name....would still run its trains late unless it wet the bed each morning at sparrow fart.

1985 An anti-gay meeting at North Shore, NZ,  was disrupted muchly by Auckland Gay Taskforce leader Peter Wall.

1985 US Federal Investigators went and shattered every childs dream and belief in fairy dust when they announced that the 4 Unicorns at the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus were fakes.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
I have never forgiven them and am, in fact, still in therapy over the brutality of their news that Lancelot The Living Unicorn was a garden variety goat with a horn sewn on.

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

This is where trivial Summer history ends,In a April 11 flash of pure destruction,Goin' Nuclear

Looking back on historic events it never ceases to amaze what sent some people off into conniptions or anger-fueled protest rants or seeking comfort in prayer due to misconceptions of the *shocking* effects from some new-fangled occurrence (like giving women the vote, recognising Indigenous People as having equal rights, or thinking the world would all jump the fence if same-sex marriages are allowed).
Which, inevitably, never happened or was so insignificant that no one gave a fat rat's clacker.
Most of the time.

1856 During a public chat session in Melbourne Dr Thomas Embling coined the phrase "Eight hours labour, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest" which was later incorporated into most industries (and the world didn't fall apart).

1914 GJ Coles opened a "Nothing over a shilling" store in Collingwood (and the world didn't fall apart).

1919 The votes of 40,000 troops away at war saw the prohibition campaign done to death in the referendum in Aotearoa (and the world didn't fall apart).

1921 Bert Hinkler broke his aviation record from Sydney to Bundaberg then taxied the plane down the street to his mothers gate (and the world didn't fall apart).

1984 The first baby in Oz developed from a frozen embryo was delivered in a hospital in Melbourne (and the world didn't fall apart).

1987 The NZ Gov-Gen, Sir Paul Reeves, opened the Awhina (HIV/AIDS) Centre, at Wellington, in a dawn ceremony (and the world didn't fall apart).

2006 President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, told the world that Iran had enriched its supply of uranium (and, finally, the world came close to falling apart).

The MIGHTY Poowong Footy club is facing Catani at the MIGHTY Poowong MAGPIES home ground today!

Don't forget to pop down for a fun-filled footy day with plenty of laughs, jocularity and liveliness on hand...and that's just what's happening before the footy match begins!

Driveway Dig beginnings

This is why budding archaeologists should always suss out the lay of the land and make sure they're not over-looked by kitchen windows...in which their horrid mothers may lurk to take surreptitious happy snaps to share on the net.

 

See, he's documenting properly and taking lots of photos of each stage (as he's not quite mastered sketching properly, yet) although I had conniptions at him using a mattock with bare feet....!

It was April Tenth, I remember trivial history well, It was so cold that year, It was colder than Hell....

Some bits 'n' bobs that are a bit late but enough to keep some entertained...or choking...or away from vaccuuming the damn floors again....

1837 Melbourne and Williams Town were given their official titles officially on this day, officially.

(Better sit down for this next one, boys and girls).
1885 The Morwell to Boolarra railway line opened.
Yes, there's a sexy trestle bridge HERE.
What were those mad politicians thinking, Opening railway lines?!?!

(Perhaps Lynnie and Brumby would prefer smelling salts this Easter?)
1916 The Bairnsdale to Orbost railway line opened.
For some delicious photos click HERE.

(I'm thinking Lynnie will be in the corner rocking her little cotton socks off).
1919 The Shelley to Beetomba railway line was opened.
Because The Govt cared that people could get around to spend their stimulus payments properly.

(Oh, this is more their speed these days...)
1953 The Beechworth to Everton passenger service was kicked to the kerb by unfeeling bean counting mongrels with nary an original thought besmirching their sterile minds.
Although you can still *gag* cycle the Rail Trail...*cough cough*
Photos galore in those links, boys and girls, enjoy what we've got left!

1965 The Kiwi's regular jet airway service from Chch to Oz beginning on this day meant that Christchurch Airport became their first Jet Airport.
Vroom.

1968 The inter-island ferry Wahine foundered off the coast of Wellington with the loss of 52 lives.
For more information click HERE.

1973 Dr Bailey's rooms in Macquarie Street, Sydney were picketed in protest against his cruel (and ineffective) psychosurgery to "cure" homosexuality.

1983 When a whole town is sitting around, not earning a penny like Mary Kathleen in Qld, there's only one thing to do - flog the whole lot off at a public auction...
Click HERE for details and pics of the remains.
Or HERE for a report on the remnants of the uranium mine and its effect on the area.

1985 This month Australia became the first country in the whole world to test blood donations for HIV.

1985 The reform of the immigration legislation saw the recognition of same sex relationships.
But they kept the blinkers on for home-grown same sex relationships, apparently.
Boy, I can hear the rednecks choking on their junk food at this very moment.... bon appetit!

2002 September 8 - just to be confusing - April Tenth was released by Garbage.

Another archaeology dig.....in our driveway

Yes, apparently Feral Beast has decided the almost-last-out-of-the-way-piece-of-soil he can access is to be dug.
But I reminded him that he had to use the context activity sheets Brian had mentioned.
And the laser level.
And to sieve the tailings (*sigh* looks like I'll be shopping for a new kitchen sieve again).
And while he won't be ducking and weaving Brian's savage bovines he will be playing the Limbo game with the blackberry bush from the next door neighbours (who don't want to use nasty chemicals on the farker so I'll probably rip it out with my bare hands sometime soon and shove it where their Solar-Sun God really doesn't shine and show them how effective albow grease can really be )
So now I've had to take over the online hunt for free context activity sheets coz "The Re-Inventors and Zoo Days Are On, much important edu-ma-cay-shunal stuffs, Mother!!!".

But I shall have the last laugh....there's only so much dirt to delve in the driveway and I can directly supervise from the kitchen window.
Bwhahahahahahahahahahahaha!

We're all going on a trivial holiday, we're all going on April 9th where the history sea is blue

I've started drinking coffee again.
Now I remember why I stopped in the first place.
Off to play in the State Library, run amok at the local historical society and generally Do Stuff.
And maybe Other Stuff, too.

Oh, by the way to Brian (coz I'm getting caffeine withdrawals and my brain's turning to sludge, more than it usually is) TT ep when Phil's DNA was tested (2008) geneologist supported the peaceful-living-and-trading theory with the Saxons, catagorically stated the constant invasion theory was incorrect myth.
And 2005 ep at Goldcliff (Wales) unearthed Stone Age footprints in former sea edge salt marsh like Dave's photos (it was Dave.H, wasn't it? apologies if I got the name wrong gee I'm tired eyes are soooooooooooo heavy and it's only 10.19pm on Wednesday evening I'm turning into an old fart who goes to bed with the birds night night).
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

1865 Mad Dog Morgan - who happened to be not a shoe salesman but a bushranger - was done a mortal mischief near Wangaratta.

Stuff happened.
People were pupped.
People kicked the bucket.
Some even...oh, look!
Shiny....

1909 Dear Bobby Helpmann, who was pupped at Mt Gambier, South Oz, on this day, once stated,
"The trouble with nude dancing is that not everything stops when the music does."
I think there's something in that for all of us.....{she says not looking at anyone in particular tighten that belt Johnson I can hear your smutty mind ticking over}

1932 Anger and frustration at the lack of help boiled over into protesters attacking the Dunedin Hospital Board offices.
To learn more about the Depression Riots click HERE.

Coofy
Cofffffeeeeee
Koffe
That's some serious shyte, man.....

1989 The first Aussie 500 cc motorbike Big Prick Grand Prix was won at Phillip Island by Wayne Gardner.

2002 The Queen Mum was buried in Westminster Abbey.
But I'm unable to confirm the use of a silver bullet, garlic, Holy Water and/or wooden stake.
Although there was an overly-large flea collar sighted near the church...

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

On a far happier note that doesn't involve any bodily fluids in any form -

Feral Beast got a Credit for his first essay for his University unit!!!

We're happy lil Vegemites, as bright as bright can be....