Tuesday, 28 April 2020
Tools Donation
We would like to thank all the residents of Palm Lake,
who helped us with donations of tools and building materials for the fire
ravaged town of Quaama. It is a little hamlet near Moruya on the South Coast. The
community felt that they had been forgotten. Many were left with only the
clothes they were wearing. Many are still waiting for power in some places,
three months after the bush fires.
With help from Nathan at Hertz, who donated
the use of a truck, Greg from Lismore Party Hire, and Andrew from GMC Enviro,
we were able to deliver a full load of goods to their School of Arts Hall. The joy on their faces is etched in our minds
forever....so much more to be done, but proving that a little bit of kindness
goes such a long way
Helen Armstrong
Sunday, 26 April 2020
Friday, 24 April 2020
ANZAC Day Rosemary Tradition
"Please
wear a sprig of rosemary", the lady said
And held one out, but I shook my head.
Then I
stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her
face was old and lined with care;
But
beneath the scars the years had made
There
remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy
came whistling down the street,
Bouncing
along on carefree feet
His smile
was full of joy and fun,
"Lady,"
said he, "may I have one?
"When
she'd pinned it on he turned to say,
"Why
do we wear rosemary today?"
The lady
smiled in her wistful way
And
answered, "Today is Anzac Day,
And the
rosemary there is the symbol for
The
gallant men who died in war
And
because they did, you and I are free -
That's
why we wear a sprig of rosemary, you see.
"I
had a boy about your size,
With
golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved
to play and jump and shout,
Free as a
bird he would race about.
As the
years went by he learned and grew
And
became a man - as you will, too.
"He
was fine and strong, with such a boyish smile,
But he'd
seemed with us such a little while
When war
broke out and he went away.
I still
remember his face that day
When he
turned and smiled at me and said,
"goodbye,
I'll be back soon, Mum, so please don't cry.
"But
the war went on and he had to stay,
And all I could do was wait and pray
His
letters told of the awful fight
(I can
see it still in my dreams at night),
With the
tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
And the
mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.
Till at
last, at last, the war was won -
And
that's why we wear a sprig of rosemary, son
"The
small boy turned as if to go,
Then
said, "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know
That sure
did sound like an awful fight,
But your
son - did he come back all right?"
A tear
rolled down each faded cheek;
She shook
her head, but didn't speak.
I slunk away
in a sort of shame,
And if
you were me you'd have done the same;
For our
thanks, in giving, is oft delayed,
Though
our freedom was bought -and thousands paid!
And so
when we see a sprig of rosemary proudly worn,
Let us
reflect on the burden borne,
By those
who gave their very all
When
asked to answer their country's call
That we
at home in peace might live
Then wear
a sprig of rosemary!
And remember those who no longer live!
Listen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lzFDPdO72Y
Did you know? Rosemary is also traditionally worn on Anzac Day, and sometimes on Remembrance Day. Rosemary has particular significance for
Australians as it is found growing wild on the Gallipoli peninsula.
Since ancient times, this aromatic herb has been believed to have properties to
improve the memory. Apr 24, 2018.
Provided to YouTube by Sony Music
Entertainment ·
Tuesday, 21 April 2020
Soup-de-doop
Some
photos from last week's soup day:
- A customer eagerly awaiting his delivery - Gerry.
- A staff member getting ready to deliver
- Glen, Ken and Roger delivering.
Sunday, 19 April 2020
ANZAC DAY 2020
Next Saturday is ANZAC Day - it is not cancelled - just different!
Here is the TIMETABLE for
a Dawn Service at Palm Lake:
05:55am - FALL IN (On your driveway or front of your residence)
- Tune your radio to FM 101.9 (PARADISE FM 101.9)
- You could hold a lighted candle or flower of tribute or place your personal wreath on your front door as some do for Christmas time.
- Reveille (Ballina Fire Station siren sounds)
- Dawn Service starts (abridged version) (Paradise FM 101.9) Includes Ode, Last Post, One Minute Silence, Reveille.
Monday, 13 April 2020
March Fishing News
March 2020 - A very ordinary Month
I'm sure you can guess there is not much to report for March due to some
terrible weather earlier and more recently we have all been oscillating in
isolation due to the Corona Virus. We didn't even have a whopper week last
month although I expect there wouldn't have been much to talk about over a
Sunday barbecue.
No matter, at least we have been giving the fish stocks an opportunity
to build up before we take them on again when things improve.
Before the restrictions set in a few of us had some limited success
fishing in the river alongside the boat ramp by the water slide. In the midst
of a lot of undersized bream we managed to take home a couple of Whiting, a
couple of Bream and a reasonable sized Flathead. We were using live worms and
some nippers that we managed to pump but in our inimitable style the washer in
the pump was stuffed so getting the nippers was a real challenge.
We put out four crab traps in Emigrant Creek one night but never caught
a sausage! I guess all the fresh in the Creek after the heavy rain had put them
off altogether.
The Good News
Recent announcements have opened the door again for recreational
fishing. In New South Wales, police say fishing is permitted, as long as people
follow rules about social distancing and gatherings of two or more people.
Asked about fishing on Thursday morning, NSW Police Commissioner
Mick Fuller said:
"If fishing is your exercise then you can fish. But if you
end up on a wharf with 50 other people, then we get back to safe distancing and
getting tickets."
New South Wales Police Minister David Elliot said he intervened
to remove fishing from a list of banned activities on Wednesday.
The other point to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t be
travelling in your car with more than one person who’s not in your immediate
household. This was reported in the ABC News “Corona Virus rules and
restrictions explained on Friday 3rd April 2020 under the heading
of “Can I go for a Drive”
So the message is you can take one person fishing but make sure
you follow the rules regarding safe distancing and others are not part of your
group.
The Relieving Rescue Vessel
.
By the way I haven't been run over in the rush in my request for
applications for a Relieving Rescue Vessel in the absence of Barry and Pam.
Fortunately we haven't been out in the SS Vaucluse so we haven't
needed rescuing lately.
I thought these cartoons might cheer you up in these very difficult
times.
Stay safe and make sure you follow the rules.
Cheers till next Month
Tight Lines Douggie