We have just held our orientation for our new students and families at Shoal Point Beach. It was another perfect day in Queensland. Last weekend was the post arrival camp at Rowallan Park, again perfect Spring weather, great fun, good kids. They are not too fussed about the snakes, frogs and spiders but good food, good company and fun seems to even it out a bit.... read more

Pioneer State High School 's bands have just come back from a very successful week's tour of Brisbane. The symphonic band, stage band and HOD of arts Renee Covey as well as instrumental teacher Paul Johnstone and myself and the 29 kids were going to have a busy week. Monday morning at 5-30am, loading instruments onto a bus, saying goodbyes and finding a comfy seat for the 14 hours bus ride from Mackay to Brisbane were the events of the day. Arriving in Brisbane at 8 mile plain caravan park around 8-00pm in time for tea, unpack and lights out for a big day ahead. Tuesday we had our first go at unloading the bus in an awkward spot, carrying heaps of heavy band gear big distances and then trying to set it up in record ... read more

Family togetherness Australasia » New Zealand » South Island » Nelson Region » Nelson By rosy59July 8th 2007Rosemary ShanksHere are our photos of the ten days we had together. Managed to see most of the family in NZ.... read more

Every year for the past 16 years, Townsville has held its annual folk festival on the Queens birthday long weekend. It is held 40 kms south of Townsville at Mountain View Lake Eco Park which is a small caravan park beside some beautiful hills and a lovely lagoon. You can camp in unpowered sites, but need to bring all your own camping gear, shower and toilet facililites are situated in the main festival area, with showers of the very cold variety and basic toilets provided. There were some great food stalls, including the Hare Krishnas, Taste of Thailand, Ice creams, Coffee, Chai Tea and Biscuits, Hamburgers, Juices and more coffee. There were the usual market stalls of clothing and associated jewellery, and bits and pieces. The festival starts on Friday night and goes until Monday ... read more

Our journey in our government issued 2 wheel drive 4 cylinder car started in Mackay on the coast of Qld on Sunday morning at 5-30am. After a quick stop at Nebo for breakfast and a hilarious look at the police breath testing the campers from the night before rodeo, we were off on our outback trip. Our lunch stop was at the Gemfields 450km inland from Mackay. 50kms west of Emerald lie the towns of Anakie, Sapphire and Rubyvale. These towns are home to the many people who are trying to make their living from digging in the surrounding dirt piles to find precious gems such as sapphires. Life is pretty rough and ready with many living in lean toos, caravans, and make shift shacks. Dirt is dug from the surrounds, washed and sifted and ... read more