Only in the NT. The perfect Christmas Present

Australia's Northern Territory.

My favourite place to visit and spend some time.
Not only for the fantastic environment, but the people really don't  take themselves  too seriously!

'WHY I STUCK A CRACKER UP MY CLACKER' AUD 1.50 Special Freight Charges: AUD 0.60 Perfect for the fridge! Featuring classic NT News front pa

The perfect Christmas present!!

Merry Christmas

W

Rememberance Day 2012

 A Broodseinde Ridge DCM

From: http://www.awm.gov.au/blog/2012/08/08/by-force-of-will-a-broodseinde-ridge-dcm/

My name is Sam Warner and I am a work experience student from St Joseph’s College Echuca. As part of my week at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra I researched the story behind the Distinguished Conduct Medal of Sergeant William Dobson Scorer in the First World War. Here is his story.

Sergeant William Dobson Scorer died from wounds he received at Broodseinde Ridge.P08891.001

William Dobson Scorer was born in Essendon Victoria in November 1893, one of five children to Henry and Mary Scorer.  In his early life he attended Essendon State School where his name is now located on the Honour Board. He was working as a clerk when he joined the AIF on 30 July 1915. He enlisted with the 6th Reinforcements of the 24th Battalion and embarked on HMAT Ulysses on 27 October, bound for training in Egypt.

He later transferred to the 8th Infantry Battalion before moving to France in May 1916. Within two months of arriving Scorer had accomplished the rank of Sergeant. He was diagnosed with the mumps on 13 May 1917 but returned to duty 6 days later and regrouped with his Battalion on 26 May.

'No man's land' at Broodseinde Ridge on the day that Scorer was mortally wounded.E00961?image=2

Sgt Scorer and the 8th Battalion were involved in the Third Battle of Ypres at Broodseinde Ridge east of Ypres on 4 October where he was heavily wounded and admitted to hospital 5 days later. Here he had his leg amputated but unfortunately did not recover from his wounds and died on the 24th. Scorer was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his noticeable gallantry and dedication to duty during the attack.

From left, the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star and British War Medal 1914-20 awarded to Sergeant William Scorer.

From the recommendation that was given it said that, “He assisted the intelligence officer in guiding the Battalion on to the tapes and maintained an efficient manner when held up by gun fire, where he then crept forward alone to bayonet 2 enemy soldiers and put the gun out of action, although he was wounded in this fight he persisted in his task until the objective was reached where again he was very badly wounded”.  Sergeant William Dobson Scorer is buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery in France.

I have a Great, Great Uncle from the 8 Battalion AIF who was killed in this battle.

 His name was Pte William Henry Wildman.   

He was a stretcher bearer and was last seen with multiple gun shot wounds in a artillery crater. Missing presumed dead. 

Lest We Forget.

W

Back to the Future

Police in Manly are going back to 'old school' policing. I really don't know why enforcing this particular law had gone out of favour. You only had to say to a group of crooks;  'consorting' and they would quickly disperse!  Ahhh! The good old days! Did someone say commitment warrant!


http://www.smh.com.au/national/police-go-back-in-time-to-curb-crime-20111217-1ozud.html

Fisho central. Darwin NT

From now until the end of the 'wet' its all go in the Territory. They talk about Barra at 1.3m!


http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/12/04/276191_fishing.html

http://www.ntnews.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2011/12/03/maori-perch.jpg

Northern Territory Hot Spots- Mataranka

My favourite places in the North of Australia. 

Starting with Mataranka.

The self proclaimed  Capital of the Never Never, should be on the 'to do' list for anyone wanting an authentic 'NT' experience.
Mataranka is about four hours south of Darwin and about an hour south of Katherine. Mataranka is known  for its hot springs and being the setting for Jeannie Gunn's book; We of The Never Never.
A story of her life as the wife of the manager of Elsey Station. She arrived in Elsey in 1902, and stayed until the death of her husband Aenaes, from dysentery in 1903.  A movie of the book was made in 1982, and is played everyday at the Mataranka Thermal(Homestead) Springs in the outdoor bar area.
A replica of the Elsey Homestead, which was made for the movie, is also and attraction at the Homestead Springs. There is a cemetery south of Mataranka where a lot of the people featured in the book, including Aeneas Gunn, are buried. The site of the original Elsey Homestead is also in this area, although it has long ago succumbed to the harsh NT climate.

Elsey Cemetery Mataranka

As mentioned, Mataranka's thermal springs are probably it's main drawcard. There are two main springs,the Mataranka Thermal Springs and Bitter Springs.
Mataranka Thermal Springs, also known as the Homestead Springs, are the most popular. Surrounded by a a grove of palms, this is the place that most people visit. It has a man made pool where the springs flow through. It is very busy in the dry season and it is hard to get a spot when the big tourist coaches disgorge their time poor tourists.
It also has a colony of fruit bats that are discouraged from hangin' around by large sprinklers in the canopy of palms. These are not overly successful, and the bats are not known for the toilet manners!

Mataranka (Homestead) Thermal Spring, Mataranka NT

'Maluka's Bar. Homestead Springs, Mataranka NT

Less popular is the Bitter Springs. Despite the less than inviting name, this is my pick of Mataranka's springs. More natural than Homestead and less popular. Not a pool as such, but a deep slow flowing creek that is about 30 odd degrees Celsius and very relaxing.
We stay at the Mataranka Cabins and Camping  caravan park, which is just outside the entry to the springs and is about a 5-10 minute walk.
Just terrific!

Bitter Springs, Mataranka NT

Bitter Springs, Mataranka NT

 Mataranka NT

Bitter Springs, Mataranka NT 

Why the USA and Australia are so alike

Even though I'm an Aussie with red dirt running through my veins, I can't help drawing a parallel between our two nations. Both the offspring of a empire that dominated the world.
Both fiercely independent and proud of our unique lands and peoples. We have stood side by side in all of the wars of the 20th century. And continue our alliance to this day. Semper Fi!
And we both enjoy getting one up on the 'Poms'

GAC of the week

One of my personal favourites. I actually have a Morris Cooper in parts lurking in my garage. One day I will put it back on the road.... One Day!
I particularly like the 'endo' at the end. Although I think  the handbrake turns would be especially helpful to avoid the HWP!