Herald 20170718

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The unmistakeable pelican The Australian Pelican is a bird not to be mistaken for any other, and is well known to many people, not just bird enthusiasts. It is hard to miss. Indeed, its zoological name is Pelicanus conspicillatus, the conspicuous pelican. There are eight living species of pelicans throughout the world and ours is one of the largest, if not the largest. It is the biggest by length, up to 1.9 metres with a wingspan up to 3.4 m, but is more lightly built than the Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans of south-eastern Europe and Asia. The Australian pelican can grow to about 8kg while the other two contenders can get to about 12kg. Globally, there are both white and brown pelicans, four whites with some other coloured features and four greyish-browns. The white and brown members of the genus are not confined to specific areas or continents, but are found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. The Australian Pelican is a common bird in every state and territory, in both coastal areas and the inland (except the driest desert areas of South and Western Australia and the Northern Territory), and it disperses to the nearer Pacific Islands, PNG and Indonesia. Pelicans in flight are a sight not to be missed. They fly in long linear skeins or in ‘V’ formations, and often gain height in thermals with large slow communal wheels in the rising air. They save energy by making resting glides between intervals of wingbeats. These sights are just as likely in the inland as on the coast and indeed are often seen on the Downs. After good rainfall events in the centre of Australia, or where the rivers have come down from the north (e.g. the Mulligan, the Georgina, the Diamantina or the Barcoo), pelicans in their thousands fly inland and nest on the fresh and saline shallow ephemeral lakes which form in the flat landscape. Nesting can occur in any month of the year, with preponderance in the summer months due to the incidence of summer rainfall. The nest is a platform of sticks and softer plant material, collected and assembled on sandbanks and mudflats. The birds breed colonially, so that there can be thousands of birds breeding in each selected site. Breeding birds are at least four years old. The female in a mated pair lays two to four pure white eggs, about 90mm x 60mm in size. The parents share the incubation which lasts about five weeks and share the raising of the young during the next three months. Late-breeding pairs can lose their brood to starvation where ephemeral lakes dry up before the chicks are fledged. By DIANA BEAL The Pelican - Common throughout Australia. Max Bacon photo Pelicans hunt fish and small crustaceans. In the inland lakes, shield shrimp form a large part of the pelicans’ diet. This species is one of nature’s wonders. The life-cycle of the shrimp is short, about 4-5 weeks. In that time, the shrimp hatch from eggs which have lain dormant in the desert sands and claypans for possibly years until water arrives, grow to 75 to 90 mm in length, breed and lay eggs, and then die as their lakes and claypans dry up. Pelicans profit from this natural bonanza. In deeper, but not very deep waters, pelicans can be seen communally fishing. This is again one of the great sights in nature. A group of birds, say 10 to 14, form a circle around a pod of prey fish, and with perfect timing and harmony dip their bills into the water to catch a billful of fish. They then raise their sightly-open bills, drain any excess water out and swallow their catch. The whole process is repeated over and over until there are not enough fish left to warrant the effort. While pelicans are graceful in flight, getting up into the air and getting down again can sometimes be a problem. Pelicans take long paddling runs across water to get airborne, and finally achieve that aim after lengthy take-off efforts, especially on calm days. Landings can be conspicuously ungainly, but also can be the source of some amusement for the observer, with the birds foot-skiing for many metres before finally settling onto the water with an exultant wing shake. All in all, pelicans are interesting birds to observe in all their behaviours. We are lucky that they do not appear to have been disadvantaged by the unrestrained coastal development of the last few decades. New Aged Care Association executive Blackbutt and Benarkin Aged Care Association has announced its new executive - President Jeff Connor, vice president Les Lane, secretary Ros Marden, treasurer Emeric Charles, committee members Chrissie-Joy Marshall, Rob Moult, Jackie Ross, Kevin Wallace and Joan Wilson The association is looking forward to another productive and valuable year ahead in line with the belief that all older members of the community should have access to independent aged living facilities which respect their privacy, dignity and independence and enhances their quality of life. Main Street Realty have recently been selected as new management agents for the Scott Haven complex and a combination of grants has seen a private seat, an entertainment area and various garden work completed there. 2017-2018 will see further work, in the form of painting, paving and landscaping both here and next door at 47 Hart Street. Consideration of the development of the John Street block will continue and that of any other land that may become available for aged care. President Jeff Connor offered his support to the caretakers of the newly relocated hall and agreed that this would provide an ideal opportunity to offer aged care activities. He thanked all committees with a special thanks to his executive and to Melanie Doheny. Membership is $5 per year. Email Emeric at emeric@blackbuttlpo.com EVERYDAY SCIENCE with JAMES M C KAY Scientific consensus A fallacy is described by the Oxford Dictionary as a “mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound arguments.” The science has been wrong before fallacy is a flawed argument often used when a person finds that their idea or world view is not supported by evidence. The conversation may sound like this: Person A: A scientific consensus has developed in support of the following theory (eg. smoking increases the risk of cancer), and has been built upon a large body of evidence. Person B: Ah, but science has been wrong before... People who make this argument usually don't understand what a scientific consensus is. A scientific consensus does not occur from a vote of opinion. It occurs because the evidence supports a hypothesis, and there is little or no evidence suggesting the hypothesis is wrong. Scientific consensus rarely deals in absolutes. Rather than saying “smoking will kill you,”science would say; “the current evidence supports the view that smoking increases your risk Council seeks ANZAC Day volunteers Toowoomba Regional Council is giving residents the chance to show their pride and help continue a 103-year tradition of remembering the sacrifices of our Aussie diggers. Toowoomba Regional Council’s Environment and Community portfolio leader, Councillor Joe Ramia believes it’s important we continue the ANZAC tradition. “TRC is seeking new members to join the AN- ZAC day working group to help assist and organise one of Australia’s most significant ceremonies, the Dawn Service at Toowoomba’s Mothers Memorial in 2018,” Cr Ramia said. “The ANZAC working group is looking for community members of all ages to help assist and organise the delivery of our ANZAC day 2018 events. Garden City Country Music Association have once again secured topline artists for their concert at the Oakey Cultural Centre on Sunday, July 23, starting at noon. Members of Toowoomba’s GCCM Association will entertain those in attendance as a prelude to the appearance of husband and wife duo Gavin and Bev Douglas from Geham. Gavin and Bev have performed with Garden City previously and are a very accomplished act being regular visitors to festivals and shows in South East Queensland. They just love their country music, entertaining and meeting people along the way. Topping the afternoon off will be the appearance of highly acclaimed award winning duo Ged and Trudy Hintz, pictured, whose popularity in the industry is second to none. Their rise in the industry has been well documented and are two very talented artists who always put their hand up to help fund raisers and of developing cancer.” When you ask person B how they know science has been wrong, they will often quote a scientific finding, therefore making a self-defeating argument. The scientific community is not afraid to be wrong. In fact this is a key part of the scientific process. If new evidence is discovered then scientists will change their theories accordingly. This is the strength of science, not its weakness. Ideologies on the other hand don't change, even when evidence is discovered showing them to be wrong. Author Jerry Coyne writes “Scientific knowledge is often transitory. Some (but not all) of what we find is made obsolete, or even falsified, by new findings. That is not a weakness but a strength, for our best understanding of phenomena will alter with changes in our way of thinking, our tools for looking at nature, and what we find in nature itself. Any knowledge incapable of being revised with advances in data and human thinking does not deserve the name of knowledge. “It’s a community focused group that gives members hands-on experience ranging from pre-ANZAC Day commemorative services, parade co-ordination, and support, co-ordination of the wreath laying service, dawn service, mid-morning service and on-site logistics. “This is a great opportunity for community members, especially our youth, to get involved and help maintain our rich traditions and bold ambitions in honoring our fallen soldiers,” Cr Ramia said. The next meeting will be held on Monday, July 24, at 6pm in the Community Venues, Toowoomba City Library. For more information on becoming a member call 131 872 or email info@tr.qld.gov.au Ged and Trudy on stage at Oakey Country Music Clubs. Wherever they travel to perform they do their profession proud and are always in high demand. It was previously advertised that yodelling Pete Smith would be appearing at the concert but apologies have to be offered with Pete now being unable to attend due to other commitments. Entry is only $8 with afternoon tea provided plus raffles on the day. Don’t forget that the program gets underway at noon due to winter conditions. A reminder that Garden City Country Music Association will be hosting the LBS Country Showcase at the Oakey Cultural Centre on Saturday, November 25, with one of the legends of country guitar Lindsay Butler OAM along with multi award winner Shaza Leigh. The Garden City’s will hold their regular social at the Trinity Lutheran Church Hall in Hume Street, Toowoomba on Sunday, August 13, with special guest artist Tony Wagner. Spring a Leek Leeks are a vegetable that belongs to the same family as onions. It is widely assumed they are descendant of the wild onions that grow all over the European countryside. Leeks are a long cylinder shaped stalk of tightly packed leaf layers. They vary in both length and thickness depending on the age of the plant. The immature leek is sold as ‘Baby leek’ and is often pencil thin, while the mature plant can be as thick as a broom handle. They’re white at the base where they have been covered in soil during growth, and the top of the plant is dark green where exposed to light. The sunlight stimulates photosynthesis which produces chlorophyll in the top leaves, which results in a dark green, earthy flavored chemical which I personally think smells like old lawn clippings. For this reason, it’s usually the unexposed white base that has culinary use, whereas the top dark green section is often discarded. Leek has a sweet, mild flavour compared to regular onions. They are a great choice when seeking a more restrained flavour profile, such as soups. Leek is in abundance from autumn through to winter. They can be sautéed, stir-fried, steamed, braised and basically utilised in the same way as onions. 8 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD JULY 18, 2017 To advertise phone 4615 4416
HERALD CAMERA OUT and ABOUT Postie appreciated Business breakfast When Crows Nest postie Neale Maddern retired from the job after five years, more than 20 of his customers were so impressed with his service they shouted him and wife Claire dinner at the Crows Nest Caravan Park. ABOVE: Phyl Charlton, Sandra and Gary Dilges, and Warren and June Pashen. CWA Christmas in July Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts, centre, with Bruce Tame and Cr Megan O'Hara Sullivan at the Highfields Business Connections monthly breakfast at Highfields Cultural Centre. All businesses welcome - phone Pharmacy farewells child and baby health nurse The ladies at the Highfields CWA group’s Christmas in July Morning Tea enjoyed a delicious morning tea followed by guest speaker Suzie Ross who is an Ambassador from StrokeSafe. Suzie informed the group on the signs of having a stoke with "Think F.A.S.T.” Face, Arms, Speech and Time. If groups are interested in a guest speaker you can call the StrokeLine on 1800 787 653. ABOVE: Natalie Webb and Harry, Jennie Morris, Suzie Ross from StrokeSafe and Sheila New. CHRISTIAN COMMENT Come unto Me - liberating words In 2017 Jesus' words in the Holy Bible “Come unto Me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28. New King James version) sound like a distant voice in the wilderness of this world. Yet the power behind those words still exists in this strange world we live in today. Many men and women who, faced with imprisonment, are visited by Christian chaplains and for some it’s the first time away from a world where they had no peace as they battled for their existence in a world they never quite “got to grips with.” By TONY FREEAR - Prison Fellowship Through the friendly approach of chaplains and other Christian workers they are introduced to a new and living way, an alternative to all they had ever known, through God’s Holy Spirit that emanates through His word, the Bible. Many of us who read these comments have never been in physical prison, yet are imprisoned in the mind, in a world of anxiety and tension, fear of the unknown, seeking peace through all the various avenues of entertainment etc, but still not being able to fill that void. Well Jesus words still stand today. “Come unto me.” Millions of people in the past 2000 years or so have taken God’s Word through His Son who was crucified for our salvation, “Our peace that passes all understanding.” We don’t have to be taken out of the current world we live in, and put in prison before we access those liberating words. We can enter this rest that goes to eternity. Finally we must put our faith not in anything this passing world had to offer, but in the precious promises of God’s Word, the Bible. Carnival of flowers seeks volunteers The Carnival of Flowers are on the lookout for volunteers who are interested in helping out for a few hours or a few days during Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers time. It is a great way to get involved with carnival and the community and anybody interested please contact me for volunteer position descriptions and EOI forms. Email anna.shirley@tr.qld.gov.au. - Anna Shirley, Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers events support officer. A cake and celebrations were the order of the day when Highfields Discount Drugs Store child and baby health nurse Fiona Passier was farewelled her retirement after 10 years with the pharmacy. ABOVE: Fiona Passier, left, with pharmacy owner Roz Zuyderwyck. GAIL WALKER SWIM SCHOOL Term 3, 2017 July 10 - September 16 WARM WATER WALKING AND GENERAL SWIMMING Mon to Thurs 11.00am to 12 noon Mon/Wed 7.00-8.00am Tues/Thurs 7.00-9.00am AQUACISE - self-paced fitness and toning Monday and Wednesday 8.00am Friday 7.30am Swimming lessons are a gift for life! To advertise phone 4615 4416 HIGH COUNTRY HERALD JULY 18, 2017- 9
Page 1 and 2: Keeping communities connected Heral
Page 3 and 4: All aspects of landscaping availabl
Page 5 and 6: $41,000 raised at Rick Seeds benefi
Page 7: The Highfields Church of Christ hel
Page 11 and 12: Global trader buys Associated Grain
Page 13 and 14: PONY CLUB Campdraft goes ahead desp
Page 15 and 16: ANTENNAS and DATA CABLING BUILDER C
Page 17 and 18: SEPTIC SERVICES SEPTIC SERVICES LIQ
Page 19 and 20: LIVESTOCK GOATS WANTED will pay $6

Herald 20170718

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?