Diana Kupke Writes
ABC iView
ABC support did not give up! Numerous emails over a week or so trying to fix my problem and today a phone call, a few trips to the study, back to my television and there was ABC iView! Very happy with that support.
I always receive excellent support from the ABC, no matter what my query is. And below, SBS is also very good. HAVE no idea what sort of support the commercial channels provide because I only watch the ABC and SBS.
SBS Television
It doesn't matter what queries I send to SBS Television, I always receive very fast answers which work!
Excellent service!
50 years - Cyclone Tracy
25 December 2024. Fifty years later. Awful memories. Coming out of the wrecked house to see wreckage everywhere. Deep shock. These photographs are of Jingili and were taken by David Molesworth.
Below members of the Cyclone Tracy committee with the memorial.
The memorial
And now for something completely different!
The ABC had a delightful story by Hannah Murphy about African giant pouched rats being trained to sniff out wildlife species which are often smuggled. Dr Webb, a researcher with Duke University, trained eleven rats. One of the animals they were specifically trained to find was the pangolin which is the most widely trafficked animal.
Sophie reading my book!
A long long time ago I wrote a children's book, The Secret of the Tower Room. This was published by Houghton Mifflin. I visited a lot of schools in Mackay and gave talks to delightful children who certainly did not hold back with their questions. My sister-in-law, Diane, has now sent me the photograph of her grand daughter, Sophie, reading that book.
Caring for their Community
Jeff and Judy Boyle
Jeff and Judy Boyle, from Whitsunday Funerals and Crematorium, show their concern and care for the Mackay and Whitsunday communities in a very positive fashion. The couple provides ongoing support for the Whitsunday Foodbank which operates in Proserpine and, more recently, in Mackay. The Boyles aren't seeking publicity for themselves, they simply want people who are in need, to be aware of the Foodbank outlets.
The outlets carry a wide, and ever changing, range not only of foodstuffs but also of household items including feminine products. The items are all discounted, often for half the recommended retail price. Small crop farmers also often donate vegetables and fruit which are given away, free of charge.
Jeff said families in need were very welcome to use the shops and should not feel embarassed.
“Judy and I started with nothing and we bought our first items from the Salvos,” he said. “We have both worked hard and been supported by the community.
“I started the Proserpine Foodbank with John from Anglicare Mackay six years ago, however after John, who was the overall supervisor for Anglicare, passed away, it looked as if both shops would be closed.”
With the help of family and other community members Jeff and Judy moved both shops and now provide food as cheaply as possible.
“Please tell all your friends to shop with us first, then when we haven’t got what they need buy elsewhere,” said Jeff. “The more people buy from us, the more we can buy and giveaway more. Whitsunday Foodbank is one of the very few real non for profits every dime goes back to the shops.”
The Mackay outlet, under the able leadership of Christine Hayes, opens from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The address is 352 Bridge Road, next to the West Mackay Australian Post site.
Donations are very welcome. The Mackay outlet also has books, clothing and DVDs.
You will need to show a pension card, health care card, or a DVA card to access the service.
A beautiful spider
I love tarantulas. They are such furry little things. This is the goliath birdeater although the food it chooses is not usually a bird, but insects and worms. This arachnid can also eat lizards, and even frogs.
A bench for a change
This bench, made by Charlie Woolstencroft, uses 15,000 bottle caps. The idea, for using bottle caps, came from Tim Miller who founded the charity Lids4Kids. The idea was initially used to make plastic hands and arms for young amputees. Buddy Benches are for students who perhaps have anxiety and need a safe place, or for those who want to make friends.
Meet Jonathan
Meet Jonathan who lives at the governor's official residence on St Helena. Jonathan was originally from the Seychelles and is the oldest known living land animal. He has made it to 190 years!