BRISBANE PORTRAIT PRIZE

     We went to New Farm Park to photograph the beautiful Jacaranda trees but unfortunately the rain from the day before had knocked down most of the blooms. So we went to the Power House next to the park to see the Brisbane Portrait exhibition.

There were some Jacaranda trees still with blooms.

Fallen blooms floating in the puddles.

A self portrait by Pat Hoffie depicting her visiting her daughter in hospital after she contracted Covid I9 after not seeing her for 6 weeks.

Anne-Marie Zanetti painted Dean Merlo who's name is synonymous with coffee. He is a famous for introducing Australia to Merlo Coffee. The Power House was repurposed and renovated some time ago to house exhibitions, theatre performances and restaurants. Much of the machinery and later graffiti remains in the building.

Rick Everingham painted Vince Anello famous for his hospitality and humour at his Deli in New Farm.

Jaq Grantford painted his friend, Andrew Betterham, a famous Brisbane musician. If you look closely there are millions of music notes surrounding him.

THE MELBOURNE CUP

 First of all CONGRATULATIONS to Melbournians for tolerating months of lockdown, but you have done it! No cases for a week. Hopefully, you can start to enjoy life again a little. All states in Australia are down to zero or single digit cases now. We have adhered  to strict restrictions and now we are so lucky compared to Europe and USA. 

Every year on the second Tuesday in November, The Melbourne Cup horse race is run. It is our most famous race nicknamed,  'The Race That Stops a Nation' because everyone stops at 3:00 pm to watch the race. There are many parties and sweeps arranged around the country. However, due to Melbourne's Covid restrictions the race was run without the thousands of spectators that usually go dressed in their best or most outlandish costumes and hats.

Naturally, our village joined in the fun. The staff organised a luncheon and viewing of the race in our community centre.   We had prawns, chicken, salad and bread rolls a typical race day lunch. We had winners of the sweeps and winners of the best dressed. Annie, one of our residents, made hundreds of hats for us to hire for $5 and then she donated the money to an animal refuge.

Staff and residents prepare the lunch.

Our CEO prepared the salad.

Chiou See (CEO) explaining how lunch will be served to accommodate the Covid regulations (No buffets allowed)

We had lunch with village friends on our table.

Our village blow up mannequin came along as a jocky. Gwen and Sandra have fun with him.

Everyone stops to watch "The Melbourne Cup". We watched it on the big screen in the hall.

Bill's sweep horse came first.

After lunch chocolates.

The best dressed gents.

The best dressed ladies.

The staff relax at last after organising our Melbourne Cup Lunch.

We had fun. The race was also shown on the TV in the Library, which is at the end of the hall. The many hats for hire were on display there too.

GO TIGERS!

It was the AFL Final last night. AFL(Australian Football League) is one of the football codes played in Australia. It started in Victoria and it is extremely popular in that state but all the other states play now. However, the final is always held in Melbourne, but due to the second wave of Covid, which hit Melbourne badly, the final was played in our state Queensland for the first time ever so it was an historic match. So due to restrictions in Melbourne, our daughter's family couldn't have friends or family visit to watch the match together on TV and have a traditional Footy Finals Party. It was sad for them.

So when we were invited to a AFL Footy Final Party in the village we decided to go and support Sonya and Bernie's team, The Richmond Tigers. We were encouraged to dress in our teams colours. The Tigers played The Geelong Cats. We watched it on the big screen in our community centre and our CEO, Chiou See and her partner, Brendon provided us with meat pies and chips which is the traditional food at a football match.

It was an exciting and very close game but The Tigers won in the end. After the match Bill won a prize for being the best dressed Tiger supporter. Last year Sonya had sent him a Tiger T-shirt and I made him a Tiger cap.

Chiou See (CEO) and Brendan hosts of the party.

We watched the match on the big screen in the hall.

Geelong Cats scored the first goal.

Bill won a prize for being the best dressed Richmond Tigers supporter.

Richmond scored a goal

Some shots from the sports news

Richmond Tigers are the winners!

COTTON TREE BIRTHDAY

 Cotton Tree is a suburb of Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast 107k from home. My friend, Lyn, was having a 70th birthday there. They were in the caravan park for a week's holiday to be close to family and friends. So we booked an apartment for a few days just opposite the caravan park and we spent a lovely few days with our friends, Ben and Lyn. Ben migrated from Switzerland with Bill back in 1967 when they were in their early 20's. Now they are in their 70's. The weather was perfect and the company great.

We were pleased to see that we had a stunning view of the Maroochy River entering the Pacific Ocean.

You can just see the ocean on the horizon at the right and the caravan park opposite.

I tried a panorama of the river.

I took a walk down to the beach.

Looking south

Looking north

The mouth of the river. The river is tidal.

River on the left, ocean on the right.

Fun in the river . I walked a little further and entered the caravan park and found my friends.

Later in the day we had a celebration lunch with Lyn and her family and friends. It was a Thai Restaurant. I had crispy fish.

Happy Birthday Lyn.

I think it is important to keep in touch with old friends. We have been friends since the 60's.

SWISS DINNER

 It's that time of the month again already for our monthly village dinner. This month the theme was Switzerland. The food and decor were hints of Switzerland but the guest speaker spoke about his travels through the Western Front War Cemeteries.

The residents' committee chairman welcomes the residents and speakers.

One of our local councillors was invited to say a few words.

The menu was alternate drop Chicken Thigh with Fondue Cheese Sauce, Potato Rosti and Vegetables 

OR

Pork Loin with Yoghurt Cheese, Pickled Beetroot and Daikon, Potao Rosti and Vegetables. 

I took a bite before I remembered a photo of the Pork. It was delicious and melted in your mouth.

Bill had the chicken

Making new friends at dinner

more friends

The students from Rochedale High catering course serve and clear the dishes.

 

Our CEO introduces the Guest Speaker.

Col Sutcliffe, our guest speaker.

The dessert was to die for. Swiss Roll with Toblerone Chocolate Mouse and Orange Sauce.

It was the last time these students will wait on us as the school year comes to an end and these lovely young people have to sit their final exams soon. They have had a tough year with Covid Lockdown for three months.

The CEO thanks the teachers for giving up their time to bring the students and allow them to have real hands on experience.