Australia - The Land Down Under

And no Australian year would be the same without The Queen's Christmas Message


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and below The Queen, after recording her first televised Christmas broadcast in 1957....
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I remember watching her on TV. I think it was her coronation ceremony though. She is a very stately Queen; a very good example to follow.
OG
 



Outback sewage truckers — an essential service, but not for the faint-hearted


It's exhilarating, as a passenger on a 36-metre pink road train, watching the world whiz by from up high in the cab of this gigantic truck.

Only, I'm trying not to think about how this will all end.

In roughly 1,260 kilometres we'll be surrounded by sewage, as far as the eye can see.

I've jumped aboard for an outback journey with a difference.

We'll be traversing what's believed to be the world's longest sewage run, across the Pilbara in Western Australia's remote north-west, with possibly the world's biggest germophobe.

Selfie photo with truck driver Heather Jones left and Karen Michelmore

ABC journalist Karen Michelmore jumped aboard Heather Jones' truck for an outback journey with a difference.(ABC Pilbara: Karen Michelmore)
Truck driver Heather Jones and her colleagues make the round trip from Karratha to Newman and back every two days.

With each run they remove up to 70,000 litres of excrement from the temporary workers' camps of Australia's iron ore mines which keep the national economy afloat.

"We're heading to Newman with our poo tankers, commonly referred to as 'turd herders', 'poo patrol', 'you dump it, we pump it'," Ms Jones says dryly.

 
and the moral of this story is......DO NOT drive in the Australian Outback without a satellite phone, an emergency beacon and adequate supplies. TELL someone (including the police) where you are going and by which route.
In other words, don't be a bloody deadhead

 
 
Australia Day

An Australian Classical musician who once starred in an Australian production "Shine" ....David Helfgott.....was awarded an OAM today 26th January 2021...... (The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the recommendation of the Australian government, to recognise Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or meritorious service. Wikipedia....The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) is awarded for service worthy of particular recognition.


The music played to the young man in the video, Michael, was Beethoven's Piano Sonata No.8 (pathetique)

The "calm" piece is from approx the 8 minute mark to the 15 minute mark

The difference in Michael's behaviour during that time is nothing short of remarkable.

David Helfgott is the inspiration behind Michael's 'treatment' with classical music
"It mellows you, it's good for you, it soothes the savage beast, it makes you more gentle," Helfgott said of classical music.



For all those who wonder what the fuss is about...australia day vs invasion day etc etc


Australia Day

Facts about Australia Day


*Australia Day does not celebrate the arrival of the first fleet or the invasion of anything.


Captain Cook did not arrive in Australia on the 26th of January.


- The Landing of Captain Cook in Sydney happened on the 28th of April 1770 - not on the 26th of January 1770.


- The First Fleet arrived in Botany Bay on the 18th of January.


The 26th was chosen as Australia Day for a different reason; however, Captain Cook's landing was included in Australia Day celebrations as a reminder of a significant historical event.


Since the extravagant bicentenary celebrations of 1988, when Sydney-siders decided Captain Cook's landing should become the focus of the Australia Day commemoration, the importance of this date for all Australians has begun to fade.


Now, a generation later, it's all but lost.


This is because our politicians and educators have not been doing a good job promoting the day.


Our politicians have not been advertising the real reason for Australia Day, and our educators have not been teaching our children the importance of the 26th of January to all Australians.


The media, as usual, is happy to twist the truth for the sake of controversy.


In recent years, the media has helped fan the flames of discontent among the Aboriginal community.


Many are now so offended by what they see as a celebration of the beginning of the darkest days of Aboriginal history, they want the date changed.


Various local Councils are seeking to remove themselves from Australia Day celebrations, even refusing to participate in citizenship ceremonies, and calls are going out to have Australia Day on a different day.


The big question is, why has the Government allowed this misconception to continue?


Captain Cook didn't land on the 26th of January. .... So changing the date of any celebration of Captain Cook's landing would not have any impact on Australia Day, but maybe it would clear the way for the truth about Australia Day.


The reality is, the Aborigines in this country suffered terribly under the hands of British colonialism.


This is as much Australia's history as the landing of the first fleet, and both should be remembered, equally.


Both should be taught, side by side, in our schools.


Australians of today abhor what was done under British governance to the Aborigines.


We abhor what was done under British governance to the Irish and many other cultures around the world.


So, after the horrors of WWII, we decided to fix it.


We became our own people.


On the 26th of January 1949, the Australian nationality came into existence when the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 was enacted.


That was the day we were first called Australians and allowed to travel with Passports as Australians.


Under the Nationality Act 1920 (Cth), all Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders born after January 1, 1921, gained the status of British subjects.


In 1949, therefore, they automatically became Australian citizens under the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948.


Before that special date, all people living in Australia, including Aborigines born after 1921, were called 'British Subjects' and forced to travel on British Passports and fight in British wars.


We all became Australians on the same day!


This is why we celebrate Australia Day on the 26th of January!


This was the day Australians became free to make our own decisions about which wars we would fight and how our citizens would be treated.


It was the day Aborigines were declared Australians.



Until this date, Aborigines were not protected by law.


For the first time since Cook's landing, this new Act gave Aboriginal Australians by inference and precedent the full protection of Australian law.


Because of this Act, the government became free to help Aborigines, and since that day much has been done to assist Aboriginal Australians, including saying 'sorry' for the previous atrocities done before this law came into being.


This was a great day for all Australians!


This is why the 26th of January is the day new Australians receive their citizenship.


It is a day which celebrates the implementation of the Nationality and Citizenship Act of 1948 - the Act which gave freedom and protection to the first Australians and gives all Australians, old and new, the right to live under the protection of Australian Law, united as one nation.


Now, isn't that cause for celebration?


Education is key!


There is a great need for education on the real reason we celebrate Australia Day on the 26th of January.


This reason needs to be advertised and taught in schools.


We all need to remember this one very special day in Australia's history, when freedom came to all Australians.


What was achieved that day is something for which all Australians can be proud!


We need to remember both the good and the bad in our history, but the emphasis must be the freedom and unity all Australians now have, because of what was done on the 26th of January 1949, to allow all of us to live without fear in a land of peace.


Isn't it time all Australians were taught the real reason we celebrate Australia Day on Jan 26th?


Ray Payne OAM
 
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A Good Story

 
Australian invention will see 'transformational' scaling up of quantum computers, experts say

www.abc.net.au

Scientists put a chip inside a quantum computer deep freeze. Their invention could be 'transformational'
Australian researchers unveil an invention being hailed as "the first decent pick and shovel" in the "gold rush" to develop large quantum computers.
www.abc.net.au
www.abc.net.au


  • A new kind of chip that works in ultra-low temperatures removes a major barrier to scaling up quantum computers
  • Experts say it could lead to much faster quantum computers within the next few years
  • The invention was the product of an ongoing collaboration between Microsoft and University of Sydney

quantum pc.jpg



10883454-16x9-xlarge.jpg

Quantum physicist David Reilly from the University of Sydney believes the world is hungry for quantum computing power.(ABC News: Brendan Esposito)





Condobloke ...Outback Australian :: fed up with Windows antics...??....LINUX IS THE ANSWER....I USE LINUX MINT 20.1 EXCLUSIVELY.
Linux is user friendly....just very picky about who its friends are...


“A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."

It has been said that time heals all wounds. I don't agree. The wounds remain. Time - the mind, protecting its sanity - covers them with some scar tissue and the pain lessens, but it is never gone. Rose Kennedy
 
Here are just some of the pics entered in the wildlife photographer of the year comp.

The first is the Winner of the Peoples Choice Award......taken by Robert Irwin......son of famed crocodile man Steve Irwin.

fire.jpg


rhino.jpg
hare-png.8459

squirrel.jpg




moose.jpg

possums.jpg

gharial.jpg

and if it wasn't for the eyeball showing through the mud....you would never know there was a HIPPOPOTAMUS sitting there!!!

hippo.jpg
 

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Starlink's secrets revealed as first Australian customers sign up ahead of launch later in 2021

Starlink, an internet offshoot of SpaceX, the rocket company started by Tesla entrepreneur Elon Musk.


 
Are YOU ready to tell Google where to go....and how to get there ? (by the quickest possible means)....



Microsoft president calls on other countries to 'copy' Australian media bargaining code

M
icrosoft president Brad Smith has urged other nations to implement legislation similar to Australia's media bargaining code, arguing the proposed legislation "strengthens democracy".

In a blog post on Microsoft's website, Mr Smith said the United States Government should not object to Australia's media bargaining code, urging governments such as the US, Canada and the European Union to follow Australia's lead in forcing tech giants to pay for news content.

"Yes, Australia's proposal will reduce the bargaining imbalance that currently favours tech gatekeepers and will help increase opportunities for independent journalism," the blog post read.

"But this a defining issue of our time that goes to the heart of our democratic freedoms.

 

Thanks to our dairy cows and farmers, Australians enjoy some of the freshest and most nutritious milk in the world.
 
I had problems with uBlock Origin connecting to that one, Brian, but I'll try again tomorrow.

Wiz

Edited - worked fine for me next day ... go figure :)
 
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Quolls are cute critters, found on the east coast of Australia and elsewhere.

GKSIG5M.jpg



HwuMkaR.jpg


Our national broadcaster, ABC, are currently running "Quoll Farm", where a bloke with perhaps an Irish accent, is trying to look after them.

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/quoll-farm

BTW, we have quolls near where I live in south-east Queensland, so they are quite widespread, but still endangered. One ran across the road in front of me a couple of weeks ago on the way to town and fortunately I had time to react. :)

Wizard
 
Australia Day

An Australian Classical musician who once starred in an Australian production "Shine" ....David Helfgott.....was awarded an OAM today 26th January 2021...... (The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the recommendation of the Australian government, to recognise Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or meritorious service. Wikipedia....The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) is awarded for service worthy of particular recognition.


The music played to the young man in the video, Michael, was Beethoven's Piano Sonata No.8 (pathetique)

The "calm" piece is from approx the 8 minute mark to the 15 minute mark

The difference in Michael's behaviour during that time is nothing short of remarkable.

David Helfgott is the inspiration behind Michael's 'treatment' with classical music
"It mellows you, it's good for you, it soothes the savage beast, it makes you more gentle," Helfgott said of classical music.



For all those who wonder what the fuss is about...australia day vs invasion day etc etc


Australia Day

Facts about Australia Day


*Australia Day does not celebrate the arrival of the first fleet or the invasion of anything.


Captain Cook did not arrive in Australia on the 26th of January.


- The Landing of Captain Cook in Sydney happened on the 28th of April 1770 - not on the 26th of January 1770.


- The First Fleet arrived in Botany Bay on the 18th of January.


The 26th was chosen as Australia Day for a different reason; however, Captain Cook's landing was included in Australia Day celebrations as a reminder of a significant historical event.


Since the extravagant bicentenary celebrations of 1988, when Sydney-siders decided Captain Cook's landing should become the focus of the Australia Day commemoration, the importance of this date for all Australians has begun to fade.


Now, a generation later, it's all but lost.


This is because our politicians and educators have not been doing a good job promoting the day.


Our politicians have not been advertising the real reason for Australia Day, and our educators have not been teaching our children the importance of the 26th of January to all Australians.


The media, as usual, is happy to twist the truth for the sake of controversy.


In recent years, the media has helped fan the flames of discontent among the Aboriginal community.


Many are now so offended by what they see as a celebration of the beginning of the darkest days of Aboriginal history, they want the date changed.


Various local Councils are seeking to remove themselves from Australia Day celebrations, even refusing to participate in citizenship ceremonies, and calls are going out to have Australia Day on a different day.


The big question is, why has the Government allowed this misconception to continue?


Captain Cook didn't land on the 26th of January. .... So changing the date of any celebration of Captain Cook's landing would not have any impact on Australia Day, but maybe it would clear the way for the truth about Australia Day.


The reality is, the Aborigines in this country suffered terribly under the hands of British colonialism.


This is as much Australia's history as the landing of the first fleet, and both should be remembered, equally.


Both should be taught, side by side, in our schools.


Australians of today abhor what was done under British governance to the Aborigines.


We abhor what was done under British governance to the Irish and many other cultures around the world.


So, after the horrors of WWII, we decided to fix it.


We became our own people.


On the 26th of January 1949, the Australian nationality came into existence when the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 was enacted.


That was the day we were first called Australians and allowed to travel with Passports as Australians.


Under the Nationality Act 1920 (Cth), all Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders born after January 1, 1921, gained the status of British subjects.


In 1949, therefore, they automatically became Australian citizens under the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948.


Before that special date, all people living in Australia, including Aborigines born after 1921, were called 'British Subjects' and forced to travel on British Passports and fight in British wars.


We all became Australians on the same day!


This is why we celebrate Australia Day on the 26th of January!


This was the day Australians became free to make our own decisions about which wars we would fight and how our citizens would be treated.


It was the day Aborigines were declared Australians.



Until this date, Aborigines were not protected by law.


For the first time since Cook's landing, this new Act gave Aboriginal Australians by inference and precedent the full protection of Australian law.


Because of this Act, the government became free to help Aborigines, and since that day much has been done to assist Aboriginal Australians, including saying 'sorry' for the previous atrocities done before this law came into being.


This was a great day for all Australians!


This is why the 26th of January is the day new Australians receive their citizenship.


It is a day which celebrates the implementation of the Nationality and Citizenship Act of 1948 - the Act which gave freedom and protection to the first Australians and gives all Australians, old and new, the right to live under the protection of Australian Law, united as one nation.


Now, isn't that cause for celebration?


Education is key!


There is a great need for education on the real reason we celebrate Australia Day on the 26th of January.


This reason needs to be advertised and taught in schools.


We all need to remember this one very special day in Australia's history, when freedom came to all Australians.


What was achieved that day is something for which all Australians can be proud!


We need to remember both the good and the bad in our history, but the emphasis must be the freedom and unity all Australians now have, because of what was done on the 26th of January 1949, to allow all of us to live without fear in a land of peace.


Isn't it time all Australians were taught the real reason we celebrate Australia Day on Jan 26th?


Ray Payne OAM

Thanks @Condobloke for the history lesson.
You are the REAL educator. Forget the politicians and so called educators.
Here in the states I have been reading the autobiography of Booker T. Washington to celebrate black history month. I am finding out that he was a man of very high integrity and moral character and what I would call a great educator.
Real education is the key to understanding the purpose in life itself.
Congrats on your new profession - Educator!
OG TC
 

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