I’ve always been a fan of the V8 Supercars and on many occasions have made the trip to Bathurst or Eastern Creek. This year however saw the inaugural Telstra 500, held at Olympic Park, Homebush.
Looking at the schedule, Saturday looked like the best day to go, if we weren’t burnt out after a days car racing we could hang around to watch Cold Chisel. So with this in mind we arrived at Olympic Park nice an early on the Saturday. Great weather and big crowds were already present.
We soon heard the noise of the first cars roaring around the track and quickly took up a vantage point. The atmosphere of the event quickly sucked us in. This was exactly what Sydney had been looking for. After making our way through various pavilions we found a good spot on turn 1 to watch some racing. Here we could see the cars kiss the wall or opt out down the escape road.
In the afternoon we checked out a few more vantage points before settling on turn 2-3. This turned out to a crucial part of the track where drivers often out-broke their opponents into the dogleg corner.
After 74 laps Garth Tander was crowned the winner of the inaugural race. Our day ended watching a few more races and a walk through the merchandise tents.
Monday, December 7, 2009
A real Xmas tree
In my 40+ years of celebrating Christmas I’ve never had a real Christmas tree, that was until this year. Leonie's been suggesting for a few years now that we should get one, she grew up having them and recons they provide a welcome change.
With this in mind we headed off in search of fresh Christmas tree. The Santa Tree farm at Albion Park was the obvious choice. We soon had our bow saw in hand and were searching the row upon row of trees for our very own tree.
After debating the shape and size, the kids and I set about cutting it down. This is one of those times where you’ve never seen the kids happier. They both had a go of the saw and it wasn’t long before we stood proud atop our tree.
Back at home, the tree quickly found its new home and within a few hours it was decorated with lights, balls and decorations.
I must say, ‘it does make a welcome change’. Something we’ll have to do again next year.
With this in mind we headed off in search of fresh Christmas tree. The Santa Tree farm at Albion Park was the obvious choice. We soon had our bow saw in hand and were searching the row upon row of trees for our very own tree.
After debating the shape and size, the kids and I set about cutting it down. This is one of those times where you’ve never seen the kids happier. They both had a go of the saw and it wasn’t long before we stood proud atop our tree.Back at home, the tree quickly found its new home and within a few hours it was decorated with lights, balls and decorations.
I must say, ‘it does make a welcome change’. Something we’ll have to do again next year.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
National Medal for Service
Who would have thought that when I joined the SES back in Oct 1993, that 15 years later I’d be receiving the National Medal for Service. Well I’m proud to say that I’ve achieved this honour.
Like anything volunteer organisation, you get out of it what you put into it and the SES has been very rewarding for me. I hold the ranking position of Rescue Officer. I’ve been to a wide and varying array of tasks and activities, but my highlight would undoubtedly be when myself and 5 of my friends were crowned “National Rescue Champions” at the 2003 Rescue comp in Tasmania.
I would recommend the SES to anyone, the friends I’ve made will last a lifetime.
Like anything volunteer organisation, you get out of it what you put into it and the SES has been very rewarding for me. I hold the ranking position of Rescue Officer. I’ve been to a wide and varying array of tasks and activities, but my highlight would undoubtedly be when myself and 5 of my friends were crowned “National Rescue Champions” at the 2003 Rescue comp in Tasmania.
I would recommend the SES to anyone, the friends I’ve made will last a lifetime.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Dog Rescue
Its always good to be part of a ‘good news’ story. Yesterday (Monday 9th Nov) after many frustrating weeks there was a happy ending to a story that at times seemed quiet bizarre.
Gypsy the dog was in desperate need of being rescued from Bevans Island, which lies within Lake Illawarra. After many failed attempts a trap was set in an attempt to lure the dog into a safe location so she could be removed from the island.
Yesterday morning the trap was set and by 3.00pm the dog had been snared. A joint operation involving the RSPCA and the SES then set about retrieving Gypsy from the Island. In little over an hour the operation was complete. It involved 3 boats, RSPCA and SES members and a camera crew who captured this good story all on film for future viewing on the Animal Rescue show.
The dog, which was showing the affects of having been stranded on the island for almost 10 weeks is expected to make a full recovery.
A media story on this dog can be found here.
Gypsy the dog was in desperate need of being rescued from Bevans Island, which lies within Lake Illawarra. After many failed attempts a trap was set in an attempt to lure the dog into a safe location so she could be removed from the island.
Yesterday morning the trap was set and by 3.00pm the dog had been snared. A joint operation involving the RSPCA and the SES then set about retrieving Gypsy from the Island. In little over an hour the operation was complete. It involved 3 boats, RSPCA and SES members and a camera crew who captured this good story all on film for future viewing on the Animal Rescue show.
The dog, which was showing the affects of having been stranded on the island for almost 10 weeks is expected to make a full recovery.
A media story on this dog can be found here.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Dust Storm
Waking up this morning we witnessed one of the eeriest scenes I’ve ever seen. My first thought was the neighbours had changed their light bulb that shines into our bathroom. Upon closer inspection we noticed the skies were a blood red colour and the air was a thick soup of dust.
The ever-increasing drought coupled with some extreme wind conditions, whipped up the worst dust storm I’ve ever seen. The dust was so thick it had the density of a thick fog you could taste it as you walked outside. What made it worse was some overnight rain, which had allowed the dust to settle on vehicles and roadways.
The dust played havoc causing Sydney Airport to close, while a health warning was issued. As the morning progressed, the southwesterly winds increased which thankfully aided in disbursing the smoggy dust.
The ever-increasing drought coupled with some extreme wind conditions, whipped up the worst dust storm I’ve ever seen. The dust was so thick it had the density of a thick fog you could taste it as you walked outside. What made it worse was some overnight rain, which had allowed the dust to settle on vehicles and roadways.
The dust played havoc causing Sydney Airport to close, while a health warning was issued. As the morning progressed, the southwesterly winds increased which thankfully aided in disbursing the smoggy dust.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Navrescue 09
The annual Navrescue event hosted by Wollongong SES has once again been run and won. This year’s event was held in bushland at Belanglo State Forest. Some 24 teams from 17 units participated on the day.
As with previous years there were the 4 activities that tested teambuilding, first aid and radio work along with 15 or so checkpoints dotted throughout the bush. An unseasoned hot day made the walking and bush navigation all that bit harder with many teams doing it tough.
Southern Highlands Bushwalkers eventually won a close contest, followed by Baulkham Hills and Parramatta SES.
As with previous years there were the 4 activities that tested teambuilding, first aid and radio work along with 15 or so checkpoints dotted throughout the bush. An unseasoned hot day made the walking and bush navigation all that bit harder with many teams doing it tough.
Southern Highlands Bushwalkers eventually won a close contest, followed by Baulkham Hills and Parramatta SES.
SES loses one of its best
On Sunday 13th September the SES lost one of its true heroes and many of us lost a good friend. Greg was out enjoying one of his many passions when his life was tragically cut short.
In his role as the Deputy Commissioner of SES I had the pleasure of getting to know Greg as a comrade and over time as a good friend. We shared some fun times together, like abseiling from a building in Martin Place, as a competitor in our Navrescue event and on many SES operations.
In a fitting tribute Greg was farewelled by almost 1000 family, friends and colleagues at St Andrews Cathedral in Canberra, the very place where Greg and Jenny were married.
Greg, you will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace.
In his role as the Deputy Commissioner of SES I had the pleasure of getting to know Greg as a comrade and over time as a good friend. We shared some fun times together, like abseiling from a building in Martin Place, as a competitor in our Navrescue event and on many SES operations.
In a fitting tribute Greg was farewelled by almost 1000 family, friends and colleagues at St Andrews Cathedral in Canberra, the very place where Greg and Jenny were married. Greg, you will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace.
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