Random Things

No real subject to this weeks post , just a couple of tidbits
In the forums there has been minor activity as 2 members have been visiting some sites I've written about and reporting back.
I feel somewhat chuffed at inspiring people to get out and have a walk in the sun , get fit and gain knowledge , a few have remarked that over the years they have downloaded my maps and instructions and headed off into the scrub - good stuff !

2 emails this week on the same subject - Bungaree the Aboriginal legend who was born locally and went on to become one of the most famous Aboriginal figures of our early history.
Not that Gosford Council will be of any help in telling his story , they are flat out denying any knowledge of the Brisbane Waters Aborigines and denounce the existence of the coastal Guringai clan which are the traditional land owners of this area , the Darkingjung Land Council are currently claiming to be the owners and with enough white washing and passing of time they hope the real story will be forgotten.
But it won't be as the last remaining Guringai descendants record their story for prosperity , this week I spoke to Kay Williams from Pearl Beach who is currently writing a piece about Bungaree although she spells it the correct way which is Boongaree , a very knowledgeable lady who took the time out to contact me with an offer to have a look at a copy of King Bungaree's Pyalla a book published in 1891 with stories translated from the man himself.
When I get copies of this I'll post some bits here , Kay also thanked me for placing the real story online for the public to see and is frustrated by the lack of recognition Bungaree has been shown by the local council ( Mr Holstein hang your head in shame ) and by the fact that local school kids don't know anything about this great man.
Hopefully one day this will change and with help from people like Anne Jones who emailed from Bribie Island this week as well it looks it will eventually.
Anne is preparing a display for the Seaside Museum in the suburb of Bongaree , Bribie Island , I gave her some tips on acquiring a decent photo of Bungaree for the upcoming display which will tell his story

I've added the Peninsula Womens Health Centre to the links page on woy-woy.com as per requested by email enquiry - your links can be added for free just email me

Found a new shop at West Gosford that sells radio controlled models etc and had to buy myself a 1/24 scale Abrams M1A2 tank - quite a nice looking beastie straight out of the box , later on I'm going to modify it to look like the Aussie M1A1 AIM version we have



Made a video to show the lads on the tank forum



and while I was testing the focus on my webcam for the video I captured rare footage of the Chewy looking a bit worried ( he doesn't like the tanks especially the one that shoots plastic BB'S at him lol )

No Ship !

As final preparations are being made to sink the HMAS Adelaide off the coast here , a group of Avoca locals have rallied at the last moment to stop the sinking.
The HMAS Adelaide ferried Australian troops to the first Gulf War in 1991, to peacekeeping operations in East Timor and back to the Gulf in 2001.
The Adelaide was to be sunk off Terrigal for recreational divers to visit , as there was no environmental impact statement undertaken the public was kept in the dark on the project for some years.
Two weeks ago a large yellow buoy was placed in the water marking the spot where the ship is to be scuttled , the location was no where near Terrigal , but instead it is to be sunk 1.7 km's off the centre of Avoca Beach.
The whole time the public was told it was to be sunk " a couple of kilometres out to sea " but when you see the yellow buoy you suddenly realise that this is alarmingly close to shore , the locals are worried about possible leaching of toxic chemicals from the ship , the effect on sand movements on the beach , increase of sharks closer to the beach and the effect on the world class surf break itself.
With the 140 metre long vessel due to be sunk on the 27 th of March , the No Ship action group has little time on their hands but the ball is rolling , 600 concerned residents met on the beach on Saturday to formulate a plan of attack.
Drag it another couple of k 's out to sea and no one will give a shit , personally I think there are enough real wrecks along the coast to dive on , this is a bit of a worry

Visit the No Ship at Avoca site
Article in the Sydney Morning Herald
Article in the Central Coast Express Advocate

Tanks mate

Coupla more tanks for the collection up to 22 now

Leopard I A2


StuG. III Ausf. G (Germany 1944)


Rest of the collection here