Caboolture

 

 

Monday, April 4

 

Left early for Caboolture, our next stay.  Arrived at the Caboolture Golf Club and met by President Brian Nichol (my host) and others.  We we whisked away to the local radio station for an live interview.  All 5 of us fit into the booth with the interviewer.  Talked about 15 minutes.  Went pretty well according to the Rotarians at the station listening to us.  We proceeded to our host families for a quiet lunch and afternoon.  I actually swam for the first time that afternoon.  My hosts, Brian and Margaret Nichol, are English and have retired here with permanent VISAs some 8 years ago. 

 

Left early for dinner at the Golf Club.  I convinced Margaret to get out (she had not since the surgery) that evening so that she could see 5 good-looking guys make their presentation.  The presentation went well -- I believe our best thus far.  Then home for the evening.

 

Tuesday, April 5

 

Toured the Abbey Church and Museum, then headed for Bribie Island for morning tea.  Had lunch at the Surf Club and then went to a fisheries research facility on the island.  Quenton and Chris were in heaven.  I was quite impressed with the facility as well.  Home for the evening where Brian and Margaret prepared a lamb dinner which was quite nice.  Early to bed.

 

Wednesday, April 6

 

Following breakfast, left again for Bribie Island for a chartered eco-cruise of the Pumicestone Passage with the Ferryman Bribie Island tours.  A 6-hour cruise with morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a great time.  Weather was great and we all got a little sun.  One of the Caboolture club members lives on the island and we concluded the day with a wine and cheese party at his home.  Great day!

 

 

 

Thursday, April 7

 

We departed for Kedron, a community right outside of Brisbane, to visit the SES facility.  This is the major command center for all of Queensland.  The offices were recently moved into and were absolutely fascinating.  State of the art, large screens on the wall with several different media, maps, reporting agency data, etc.  Looked like a scene from the movies with all of the desks, conference rooms, and smaller computer stations.  Presentations by the head of the office and fire and safety heads.  Very impressive.

 

We then headed for the Hall's residence for lunch (Jonathan's host family).  After lunch, a presentation by Paul of Queensland Parks & Wildlife on the oil spill cleanup on Moreton Island and other areas in Queensland.  Following presentation, the team was taken to Bribie Island for a stay in a motel (just the five of us).  After sitting around the pool with a couple of beers, we walked along the beach as the sun set and headed for the RSL club -- these are Retired Service League clubs that honor their retired military.  Quenton, Jonathan and I had to put on collared shirts they loaned us as no t-shirts allowed after 6pm.  Quenton and I were given these flowered shirts to wear and we all had a laugh about them  Had dinner and then Robert and I put $3 each into a nickel slot machine.  He quickly lost and I turned $3 into $40 which became the money we used to buy a couple of bottles of wine.  Following the wine, port, beer, scotch, etc., we noticed we were about the only patrons left in the club and the shuttle took us home.  It was only the 10 o'clock hour but this is late for Queenslanders in this area (lots of people retire here).

 

Friday, April 8

 

We were picked up about 8am and then were headed to Unity Water, a wastewater treatment plant in Murumba Downs.  Quite impressive as it is state of the art facilitywith a recent $160,000,000.00 renovation.  Lunch again at the Halls.  Presentation following lunch by John Simpson, an engineering professor who spoke about the Toowomba Floods.

 

To cap off a great week, we had a BBQ at the home of Charles and Rosemary Guesdon.  Wonderful colonial home.  Plenty of food, wine, beer and music by Ian, one of the Rotarian's husbands.  I even joined him for the only song I think I know all of the words to -- Kenny Roger's "The Gambler".  Who'd have thunk it, but again the wine was pouring!  Oh, and besides their club being in attendance, Brian and Chris Kennedy showed up and we caught up with them as well.

 

Saturday, April 9

 

We departed Caboolture and headed for our next host families.  We met them at Mount Cool-tha, an area with great panoramic views of the city of Brisbane.  Had morning tea and then told Caboolture goodbye and off to Karana Downs.  More later!

 

-Harold