Search the Community

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/catastrophic-fire-rating-for-central-west/comments-e6frg13u-1226204350714 This will be our first summer and so experience of bush fires although being fairly central to Perth its not like we'll be in any danger. My heart goes out to all those who are affected by this :sad: But I do wonder what the thinking was when DEC decided to start "controlled" fires in the weather we are having at the moment!!!!! :no: Surely the wind today is going to whip it up a treat??????

Actually, I was not actually 'game' (sic) enough to eat emu/croc/kangaroo but I only went in for a coffee anyway. I have eaten kangaroo and it was nice but I could not help thinking I was eating an Aussie icon! Same with the emu as they both appear on the Aussie coat of arms. I will go back and try something daring however. Redfern is getting cooler and cooler too. Purple Goanna Megan Johnston February 21, 2011 Bush tucker doesn’t often appear on the Sydney cafe scene but at Purple Goanna it dominates the menu. Since Koori woman Suzanne Grech opened the cafe about a year ago, she’s tapped into the wild-food market with dishes such as wild berry pancakes ($10) and the big bush brekky with kangaroo or crocodile, tomato sauce and Tasmanian native pepper ($15). For lunch, we’re keen to try the kangaroo burgers with chips ($12) but on the day of our visit stocks are running low due to the floods so we order a barramundi burger with chips ($12) and crocodile risotto with cream, spinach and garlic ($15). We steal a spot by the huge open window and our Philosophy coffees soon arrive, hot and strong. Next comes lunch: a crusty bread roll with tender fish in a tasty lemon myrtle dressing and a rich and aromatic risotto with big chunks of gamey croc. Regulars arrive and chat to waitresses, before cosying up along the wooden side bench or at airy outdoor tables. We stay for a massive bowl of lilly-pilly ice-cream ($6) topped with cream. It’s a subtle musky-flavoured concoction we resolve to come back for soon

I didn't know the extent of the 'pest menace' in Australia until I read Janine the Party Queen's recent posts. So please please please use this thread to share tips and tricks to deal with these kinda things both preemptively and after the fact...

Are starting early this year:no: keep safe everyone. An overnight change in wind direction is expected to test Queensland fire crews today, who're battling bushfires in the state's south. Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Commissioner for rural operations Paul Adcock says the change to westerly winds could cause problems at blazes near the Sunshine Coast and in Queensland's southwest near Roma and at Ward, Charleville. Mr Adcock says conditions are expected to ease towards to end of the week with cooler temperatures expected on the weekend. Firefighters are battling several other blazes, at Kingaroy, Chinchilla, Noosa, Rockhampton and Caloundra. QFRS is urging caution as the very high-to-severe fire danger warning remains in place across large parts of the state.

It's enough to make your blood boil - the sight of someone throwing a cigarette butt out of a car window. Every year the NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) is called to hundreds of roadside fires believed to be caused by discarded butts. NSWFB Station Officer Paul Scott, based at Parramatta Fire Station, has fought many fires on busy roads and even railway tracks where the most likely cause was a dropped cigarette butt. This led him and the Community Risk Management team to develop a proposal for an awareness campaign for smokers along the lines of the high profile NSW Government anti-littering initiative, “Don’t be a tosser”. It was a good idea in theory but the connection between cigarette butts and roadside fires was still only supported by circumstantial evidence. That was until a recent study by Jennifer Dainer, a student at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with help from the NSWFB and CSIRO, provided solid proof. The study, which Ms Dainer undertook as her honours project for her degree in Forensic Science, was co-supervised by Dr Anne Lear from NSWFB Corporate Risk Management and Phil Maynard from UTS. The study As part of the study, called Can cigarettes butts start (Bush)fires, Ms Dainer conducted outdoor trials, supervised by Station Officer Scott and three firefighters with a fire engine from Parramatta Fire Station. She lit cigarettes and threw them into grass on the side of a road in the Sydney suburb of Prospect where there was no danger to surrounding property. At the time the prevailing conditions were recorded as wind speed of 40km/h, fuel (grass) moisture content approximately 12% of oven dry weight and humidity 14%. “On the day it was around 27°C with a north westerly wind, and it was pretty dry,” Station Officer Scott said. In three out of the 75 trials, or 4%, the grass caught alight and started to burn, requiring the firefighters to extinguish the flames. “The fires would have progressed quite quickly if we hadn’t been there,” says Station Officer Scott. “It’s no wonder we’re called to so many fires on busy roads and freeways and by railway lines when they can start so easily.” As well as the outdoor trials, the study also involved: laboratory trials to show whether cigarette butts could ignite grassy fuel (hay) in a well-controlled environment and to identify the parameters which affect ignition potential; and a survey of the number of cigarette butts on two median strips on a three lane road in Western Sydney. The laboratory trials found cigarette butts ignited the hay in 33% of cases. Ignitions increased when the wind speed increased, fuel moisture decreased (though wetter fuels could ignite with the application of wind) and the degree of the contact between the fuel bed and combustion area of the cigarette increased. During the survey, 426 cigarette butts were collected in a 60 square metre area of the median strip of Abbott Road, Seven Hills, over a three-week period. The wind draught created by a line of passing traffic was also recorded and found to be sufficient to increase the potential for a cigarette butt to start a fire on the roadside even if the prevailing conditions were calm. A campaign is born Station Officer Scott says the study finally gives the NSWFB the scientific proof that cigarette butts can cause roadside fires, including bushfires. “This confirms our view and gives us a firm basis for our new “Don’t be a firebug” campaign,” he said. “It also shows the benefits of partnerships between government agencies and universities on studies like this.” The “Don’t be a firebug” campaign, an adapted version of “Don’t be a tosser”, is being run by the NSWFB and the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Roads and Traffic Authority. The Minister for Emergency Services, Tony Kelly, announced the campaign in January 2004. Over the next few months local firefighters will kick off local versions of “Don’t be a firebug” in suburbs and towns around NSW. They’ll attach the distinctive red stickers, which show a hand dropping a cigarette butt from a car, to their appliances and vehicles as a warning to motorists. The stickers will also be available to the public from fire stations. Station Officer Scott says it’s important to create greater public awareness around the issue. “As well as the environmental cost associated with littering, there is also the potential for fires from dropped cigarette butts, particularly during bushfire season,” he says. “A careless act by one person may have dire consequences for others, including the firefighters who risk their lives at fires.”

Ive been told by an x biker that the bush fires are started by them when the cops wont meet their demands ....its just to pee them off and waiste money ..........is this right ,the other guy with the coffin cheaters didnt have anything to say about the issue.........both guys very shady and wouldnt open up too much..........i useto thik it was all childish and men that havnt grown up ......how wrong was i........its big game:yes:...........

Minister Tony Burke says migrants should go bush | News.com.au On newscom this morning new minister for migration giving some air to a condition of migration being to a country area. Most people here would agree with him I guess as its the country areas that need skilled workers, teachers, nurses, etc. The cities are well catered for with local people and often teachers in particular are surprised when they arrive and find there are no jobs around where they would like to settle. I heard a lady on talk back yesterday talking about her son who is a primary teacher, 36 years old and he is employed but he cannot get a permanent position, he is on 12 month contracts and that is very hard because if they do not renew at the end of the year back to square one looking for another position. In fact the country areas really need workers.

With the two bush fires currently burning out of control in Victoria I just want to give a quick reminder for all the new people who have arrived in Oz. Now I don't want to scare monger but I feel it is something that everyone needs to be aware of and have a fire plan at the ready. After Black Saturday people should remember that it can affect anyone not just people in a dense bushland area. There were fires in suburbs close to us which I would have never dreamt would have been at risk. It may be worth taking a look at the Fire Ready Kit which is available for download on the CFA website. Fire Ready Kit (Summer Fire Safety), Residents - Country Fire Authority Keep safe and please if you have any spare time on your hands consider being a volunteer firefighter or even helping with Wildlife Rescue.:wubclub:

A week late i know but here are some photos of bush fires that nearly had us evacuated from Pacific Pines. I took the photos from my lounge. We could clearly see the firefighters retreating before the fire whilst 2 helicopters were bombing it with water. Only the 10 lanes of the M1 stopped it. We had three fires in as many days within 2 or three kms of us and two required helicopters [ATTACH]1357[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]1358[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]1359[/ATTACH]

Police Searching For British Backpacker Jamie Neale Missing In Australian Bush | UK News | Sky News Another missing person in Aus.

Positive Employment News: Get a little Dirt on Your Hands: there are jobs galore. FOOD producers are ready to lead a national job recovery. As unemployment rises in some industries, agriculture is crying out for thousands of workers, from meat boners to gene scientists. "Of all the industries in Australia, ours is the one where there are substantial jobs and we cannot get enough people. The other industries have fallen on their bums," said a spokesman for AgriFood Skills Australia, Peter Clack http://www.smh.com.au/national/get-a-little-dirt-on-your-hands-there-are-jobs-galore-20090705-d98y.html

Our lovely Aussie next door neighbour Boyd has asked if there are any generous people on this forum looking to sponsor/donate to a charity motorcycle event he is staging. It's called The Ride of Fire and it's to help raise money for the victims of the Victorian Bush Fires and Northern Queensland Floods, The event is running from the 2nd to the 10th March and you can donate now. He and his mates are riding Harley Davidson's from Cairns (QLD) all the way down to Albury (VIC) over the next 8 days, if you own a Harley and are on route Boyd say's you are welcome to join him and his friends whether it be for 1 hour or all the way to the finish. For anyone who lives on the Sunshine Coast you may have seen him on the 6pm channel 7 news last night and he also appeared in the Sunny Coast Daily this week promoting this event. He understands that many, many people have donated to this tragedy already through other charities and in this tough economic time giving money to others while trying to keep a roof over your head is difficult, but do take some time out to realise that many hundreds of survivors of this tragedy are living in tents with no homes or wordly possesions to go back too. So even if you donate only $1 that is $1 more than these people had yesterday and it would mean so much to them as these victims have lost everything lives, homes and livelyhoods and for this he is sure they will be forever grateful..... Boyd personally say's Thank you and he hope to see you at one of the many stop off points along the way....

Sorry if this has already been posted folks but here is the link for donating through the british red cross, which is naturally supporting the australian red cross. Red Cross launches Australian Bushfires Appeal Mandisfam

It seems that Koala is going to survive......heres a link and new photos of her, her being named Sam..... Victorian bushfire survivor, Sam the koala, a global star | Herald Sun Mandisfam

I would just like to say how upsetting it has been for my Wife & I to see the devastation and loss of life due the the bush fires in Victoria. Our sincerest and heartfelt sympathies to anyone who has been affected by this terrible disaster. We are both hoping to make the move permanently down under in about 18 months and already have our visas. Although we are not yet living there we both already feel a strong bond with the country which is why it has got to us more I guess. I pray for rain and a drop in temp for all those areas which are affected. Best wishes and prayers also for all those fighting the fires and helping out. Matt & Lissa

Hi All, Just thought i would post this to you all, coles are going to donate all profits to the red cross bush fire victims this friday (13th) so get yourselves to coles for your weekly food shop

Hi All I work on a switch for an Australian Charity - I have been given the following advice if people ring wishing to donate to the Bush Fire Appeal. At present they are looking for cash donations. You can make these by calling the following numbers: Red Cross Hotline: 1800 811 700. Salvation Army: 13 72 58 National Bank: 13 66 22 For people in Victoria who wish to make clothing/food donations, please call either the Red Cross or Salvation Army as they are co-ordinating the appeal together.

This Article is on the Age web site and I agree with it. People in smaller communities are happier. " Bush folks 'happier than city slickers' Michelle Draper January 28, 2009 - 5:09PM Frustrated city dwellers longing for a quieter life are right to look with envy at all those sea and tree-changers. A new study shows living in country towns, where everyone knows everyone, is a happier existence than the hustle and bustle of city life. Australians who live in regional areas with fewer than 40,000 people have a higher sense of personal wellbeing than those living in cities, the study shows. It's also found that residents in the Campbelltown area of Sydney and Greater Dandenong in Melbourne, which have high numbers of recent migrants, have the lowest sense of wellbeing. The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index measures people's overall feeling of wellbeing through satisfaction with factors including health, relationships, safety, standard of living and community connection. The research shows that once the proportion of people in an area not born in Australia exceeds 40 per cent, wellbeing starts to fall. Deakin University Professor Bob Cummins, the author of the index, says wellbeing is related to a sense of community. "Anybody who's lived in a small country town knows ... that everybody says hello to everybody else," he told AAP. "You become very quickly connected to those communities." But he says areas with a high number of new Australians have lower levels of social connection. "This acts then to reduce the wellbeing of people in those areas," he says. "What this signals to government is that more resources are clearly required, not in terms of financial support ... but in terms of social interventions, about bringing people of different cultures together." He says policy makers need to direct more resources to these areas. The normal range in Australia for wellbeing, according to the index, is between 73.4 and 76.4, on a scale of 0 to 100. Greater Dandenong has a wellbeing rating of 71.5 while Campbelltown is lower, at 70.8. Glenelg, a region in south-west Victoria which includes the town of Portland, has the highest rating of 80.74. NSW rates lowest on the scale of all the Australian states and territories, while South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria are the highest. The latest index brought together the results of wellbeing surveys of about 35,000 people across Australia, between 2001 and 2008."

A large bush fire (4 hectares) starting in Seaford today spread and falling embers created a house fire in Frankston North. The fire is now under control but there are still 23 fire engines at the scene as well as 2 water bombing aircraft. Here is the news article for anyone interested: Grass fire under control after burning property in Frankston North | Herald Sun

I have read of the risks involved in buying property which backs onto the bush, especially gum trees. And obviously I have heard about some of the major bush fires in recent years. We also see many beautiful homes advertised on real estate sites. and in UK we would love to be able to buy a semi-rural home (as we have now). But with regard to the bush fire thing...I have noticed that many of these lovely homes are very new-looking and I am wondering if they are rebuilds after a fire? Here in Berkshire we were able to find a site which had records of flood areas and we were able to assess the risks of flooding for our present house before we bought it. I realise that flooding is just a little more predictable than fire, but I wonder if there is any site which lists where bush fires have happened in the past? Thanks

I went and walked the mount ngungun trail to its summit today, definately burnt a few calories lol I'd highly recomend this trail to anyone in the area!! the second half of it is hard going though, you need to use your hands to literally rock climb. eTN_h_qrVDc

Hi ABC radio perth have said theres a big bush fire close to port kennedy & secret harbour & that residents are to wait for instructions before evacuating ! Firstly - I hope all members are safe & will not have to leave their homes. secondly - how scarey - are there lots of these fires each year? & can you find out where they are most likely to happen? A house boat on the swan is looking v attractive right now Take care all Rachel

This is the title and clip in the courier mail today ,about Mr Rudds solution for the skills shortage in rural areas.Anyone thinking of getting a visa ,do it sooner rather than later if its the beach lifestyle your after!!!lol,,(i have copied and pasted clips from the article as its long!) ALMOST half of Australia's new migrants could be forced to settle in regional areas each year under a radical plan to ease the nation's skills shortage. Struggling to find short-term solutions for the nation's skills crisis, the Rudd Government looks set to use migrants to help dying regional centres and townships unable to find workers. About 140,000 migrants are granted entry into Australia each year. Among the measures that could be considered by Immigration Minister Chris Evans is a proposal to force at least 45 per cent of migrants to reside in areas with a population below 350,000. The Chifley Research Centre policy document warns that local government areas with large population declines include Mt Isa, in northwest Queensland, Whyalla in South Australia, and Ashburton and Coolgardie in Western Australia. It said current schemes to balance migrant distribution had failed. "As you know, there has been a reaction from some in the Sydney area who are saying that there ought to be some sort of active discouragement of people moving to just the big cities and that we have got to find ways of moving them to areas in need." Currently, some migrants are encouraged to live in regional areas under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme, which aims to help regional employers nominate skilled migrants to fill full-time vacancies for at least two years. Cal x