FRIDAY'S HISTORY LESSON: KARMAI and KORUMBURRA.

In South Gippsland Victoria, there is live the World's Longest Earthworm, known as "Mining Karmai". That is the Aboriginal name for the Earthworm, which can grow as long as 3 metres plus. The worm was discovered approximately 100 years ago so far as it can be ascertained.This worm is only found at Korumburra, Loch and Warragul in the Bass River valley.

The Karmai Giant Worm Festival held in March every year, in the lovely little township of Korumburra. A street parade and a festival with food (no, not with Karmai to taste!) and singing and local produce can be enjoyed. Also, one lucky lady becomes the Earthworm Queen!!

Korumburra is situated in a region of rich dairying country amongst the scenic backdrop of the Strzelecki Ranges. The town was an important black coal mining centre in the late 1800s, however the industry declined, with the final mine closing in 1958.
Korumburra is centrally located to a number of attractions in the area including Wilsons Promontory National Park, scenic drives and bush walking activities in the Strzelecki Ranges, and the re-created coal mining tourist village of Coal Creek, just south of the town centre. The South Gippsland Tourist Railway, which runs a collection of historical diesel locomotives and rail cars between Nyora and Leongatha, passes through Korumburra.

The Karmai live in moist soils under open forest. Therefore, they are endangered due to clearing of forests, agriculture, soil compaction due to developments and of course, habitat fragmentation.

To the farmer's of Gippsland, the Karmai are known as "'Farmer's Friend' or 'Nature's Plough' . This is because of the beneficial effects the earthworms have on soil fertility. They have the ability to break up organic materials and mix them into the soil, therefore increasing the microbial activity in the soil, they also increase the amount of water the soil is able to hold by their burrowing activity, therefore oxygenation of the soil and the plant roots for agricultural purposes is also beneficial.

In order to help the worm, the people of the South Gippsland area have done a number of things. They knowledge that the Karmai are usually found within 40 metres of creek banks, the population know to protect this habitat by fencing the area off and therefore not allowing cattle or people to tread over it. Being careful when fertilising and using insecticides. Ploughing has to be done very carefully, just bruising the soft outer of the Karmai kills them.

Farmers know when they have Karmai on their properties. A simple test is to stamp around during a wet period and listen. If there are worms there a sloshing sound can be heard as the Karmai retreat into their tunnels. Reportedly, it sounds like when a plug has been taken out of the bath!!

Also, flooding creates a problem sometimes, and the Karmai can be sen on top of the ground because of this. For the farmers, sometimes the Karmai can be seen as a bit of a pest at times, tunneling into their dam walls and therefore creating cracks along the way. Their tunnels go as deep as 2 metres from the surface, and are about 2cm in diameter.

Karmai lay large amber colored capsules, just like the ones here in the image provided. These are 4-8 cm in length and about 2cm in diameter. The egg capsule is made of a tough, semi-transparent, horny material called chitin, which gives it the appearance of being made of plastic and resemble cocktail sausages in shape. They are laid close to the soil surface at an average depth of 20cm.

The worm itself has 300-500 body segments, and the first one third of the body (including the head) is dark purple with the remainder of the body being a pinkish-grey colour. As seen in the second image.

The Big Earthworm can be found at the Wildlife Wonderland 10 minutes before Phillip Island. From the road, you can see a large pinkish model of an earthworm. Inside, there is the Giant Earthworm Museum, which allows visitors to crawl through a magnified worm burrow and walk through a simulated worm's stomach. Outside is an animal park with a number of wildlife displays. There is also a Great White Shark display, truly awesome for kids young and old :)

By people helping to protect and conserve the habitat of the Giant Earthworm, they not only help to improve the soil and the land that sustains us, but also help to conserve an important part of the South Gippsland Heritage. It is, after all, one of Australia's unique native animals.

BTW: I am one vote behind Hillbilly Mom right now, so could y'all kindly remember to go read the stories in this week's writing contestant writeinthethickofit.blogspot.com. It is open until Saturday night at 10:00. Kisses and huggs to those who have voted for me. I only want to win once so I can choose the next list of words for the next story writing. It is all for the fun of it :)

Pity Party For One is OVER..

Yes, you read it right. I decided that I matter now...and those that matter to me don' t mind at all...so there!! Jury is out....thanks to my blogmates for the heads up.

Rolling along, I have lost a bit of weight this week. Last Thursday I decided to make big old batch of veggie soup. Eat alot of it, cut down on bread, even though I only ever eat brown bread or multi grain...and eat lots of fish. I have eaten other things of course, everything in moderation.

Today, I put on some jeans I haven't worn in a while and they are loose. I got a long way to go and I refuse to weight myself, so I will go by the way my clothes gradually become loose.

I started to read my book, "The Power of Now" today aswell. I am going to aim to read a chapter each day. What do is just open the book and read it at whatever chapter feels right for the day.

BTW, wontcha mind heading on over to Write In The Thick of It. Don't be shy, vote for me as best story. I had to include all those harsh wors that I had to google in the story by a set amountof time. If I win this round, I get to formulate my own list of words for all the writers to use in their next story. Mwahahahaha, and my, have I got words for them :)

My thoughts...

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."


Something I say I live by, something I need to remember, something I need to tattoo on my forehead perhaps....

I will never apologise for being me, nor will I apologise for someone else being them... especially when the things we do, and the way we live, harm nobodeeee.

Shit, I wish my nanna was here right now...I miss her...and Frances. I miss her too, they would understand, they would have the right words.

Werribee Open Range Zoo, PART 2...

So after the open range bus tour, Mia and I set off for a walking trail tour of Botswana. As you can see, there are huts to picnic in along the way, just as the ones pictured above.

Yes, another metal sign, this way to the Vervet Monkeys. We were in luck, there are two babies there, then 2 days old. The keeper was there at the time. He told Mia and I that there are 3 more babies on the way. Also, that when there are 3 or more babies in the lot, they form a creche so that the mum's can have a break. Not the keepers, the actual monkeys themselves.
At the time, they were all snacking on chestnuts and walnuts. The keeper said they are carnivorous too, but that they do not provide them with such meats...the monkeys are able to catch anything they like to eat, snakes and birds or mice...so they maintain their nature of hunting that way.
Their enclosure is very large and is much nicer than my memoreis of the Zoo as a kid. Menacing unfriendly cages are in the past..thank goodness.

Next along the trail we came to the Lion Exhibit. It is set out so spectacularly, I was impressed.
Look here..yes, someone drove the jeep right through the glass...good thing the radio still works. You can sit in it and you are entertained by music of the Botswana region!! I kept on thinking of that flick with John Wayne in it, HATARI.
There they are, the wire protecting them from Mia running up and hugging them or even worse, taking one home with her!!!
Here is the cute little Meerkat...Mia thinks they are named after her, LOL.



Walking along the track, you see imprints of animals, human footsteps and tire tracks. There are also sound of the animals played on speakers, well hidden in the scrub...all fun.

Viewing of Harry the Hippo is not only from the tour bus but from the waling trail too. You step onto the boat here and look out over the waterway and get a great view of him there. There are sounds of the Hippos being played on speaker there and a board explaining what each type of sound means.

A bit of fun to be had, walking along the bridges and stepping planks there, the kids loved it, yes, so did the adults!!!

Bye Bye Zoo, until next time...we may just partake in the overnight stay at the Zoo next Summer...if we are brave enought that is...

ADDITION: COURTESY OF AIDAN:

Aidan said...
Filtration works on cycling of water through a reed bed, so the phino poop, fertilises the reads, which grow remove the poop, oxegenate the water which is recycled back through, which then gathers more rhino poop.Cycles to clean the water, the water gets cleaner the reeds get fertilised and the rhinos stay healthy:)
7:42 AM

HISTORY LESSON FRIDAY: PHILLIP ISLAND…..

Phillip Island, where is it?

Situated at the entrance of Westernport Bay, 140km from Melbourne, Phillip Island is a year round destination for those who want to “get away from it all”. The Island is 10.300 hectares in size.

The greatest attraction by far would be the Fairy Penguins on Summerland Beach. When I was a kid, we could sit on the beach and await the Fairy Penguins to arrive in from the sea at dusk. They would come waddling past us and we could take pictures of them. They had just come in from their fishing expedition (whitebait), come to feed their babies housed in their sand dune burrows. Now, they have grandstand type structures to sit on, so not to upset the cute little critters. Bus loads of people come to see this event every single day of the year.

Fur Seals.
The Nobbies is another attraction for people to view the fur seal colony. The Nobbies is a cluster of tall rocks that the seals sunbathe on. You can view all of this through binoculars. It is truly amazing. There is a tourist centre right there and boardwalks to take you over the sand dunes so you can look out, not just at the seals, but at the birdlife and goings on out at sea.

Nearby is the blowhole, which is spectacular to view in the notorious rough seas off of Phillip Island (that is Bass Strait).

Being the sporting state that Victoria is, (HAHAHA to ‘Whitesnake’ in South Australia) we also have the annual Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. This year it will be held between the 14th and 16th of October. Originally opened in 1956, the 4.5km circuit staged the second round of the 1989 World Championship and has become a rider favourite over the years. The Motorcycle Grand Prix incorporates 6 main categories; MotoGP, Australian Superbikes, Denso Supersports, Glen Cameron Group Aussie 125s, 125cc and 250cc bikes.

Cruising down this way on the weekend this event is held you will be inundated with the hoardes of motorbike riders going along to see the event, and spend the weekend packed with entertainment that comes along with it.

Cowes, Phillip Island.
Cowes is a place I stayed when I was a kid, lots of fun in the Sun. Rhyll,is north of the island ( where Oma lived , my other half’s Grandma) and there are quite a few Dutch people who live there. Opa was a great fisherman, there is even a picture of him with a schnapper up in the local Milkbar, the largest schnapper caught to date there yet. He never did tell anyone where his best fishing spot was, but we think we may have found it….although we almost capsized (me 8 months pregnant at the time) in our little boat.

Too much to say about this little place, just go visit it, there are loads of things to do there, and some nice country roads to travel.

Werribee Open Range Zoo....PART 1.

Mia and I followed the School bus to the Werribee Open Range Zoo with the Prep kids on board. We payed for our ticket and entered the Park. Greeted by signs made of metal. I thought we were off to a great start. I love this sort of art. To our left, we were welcomed by birdlife that Mia aptly named "Geeks", LOL. We later found out they are actually Cape Barren Geese, they come all this way to Victoria to the Open Range Zoo to reproduce.

Botswana Walk to the left, Open Range Bus right..

Mia and the "Geeks"...sounds like a band name, LOL.

Then we walked along and we could see Zebra grazing alongside Antelope, they looked at us in between munching on their grassy breakfasts.

The metal kind of Zebra... cheap to run right?? LOL

The school kids entered and we sat with them to have some morning tea, a loo stop and then onto the tour bus. Rebecca was our tour guide and driver of the space age bus. Hydraulic lifts pull the steps up and in, the doors close and the windows come down to enclose us in the bus.

First stage of the tour is the Australian Enclosure, Emu's Wallabies, Kangaroos and lots of "Geeks" were in there. The Emu's seemed to be having a bit of a dispute at the time, the roos bounced off out of the way. I could not get a clear shot of these animals, as the tour bus was right up close to the fence and it is about 4 metres high to keep the roos and the emus in.

Second Part of the tour was the North American Region. We entered through a gate into a large expanse. There were Bisen, 3 boy babies called "Pumpkins" because of their orange coats. We learned that the Bisen's horns are made of Keratin, just like our fingernails are.

Next we saw the Mongolian Wild Horses, 3 females and one male originating from China. There is an extensive breeding programme going on here and if the females are pregnant right now, then we should see some babies in 11 months time from now coming into the World.

Next we went into the Arid Region of Africa, and observed Oryx and the Dromodary Camel living in harmony. There was, once again, one male to the three female camels...got a feeling the males are very lucky here at the Open Range Zoo, LOL.




The next reserve was the Wetland African Area of Botswana. We could see "Harry" the Hippo lazing by the waterway there. Noted that males have two nodule looking things just above their nostrils, this identifies them as males because they have two massive canine teeth hidden there. They fight with their teeth and if threatened, all they need do is yawn widely to flash them pearly canines.....hell, I would run away too!!!

Ironically, their IVORY teeth make for their demise by poachers in the Congo, they are almost wiped out now and so, the breeding programme is a must here. Go the boys, and give in the girls, LOL.

The Hybrid Giraffe, looking right at the camera.


17 Year Old Giraffe..AKA Retired Stud Giraffe.

The largest reserve was where we got to see the Giraffe's. One was a Hybrid Giraffe, there for retirement. He is a non-breeder. The other, a Mixed Bag kinda Giraffe, a 17 year old boy who has soiled his oats all over Australia in the name of saving the Giraffe's.....yep, he got lotsa chillins running about.....he is there for retirement sake now. I must say, he was a fine looking boy. Apparently, everyone in da hood likes hangin' with Giraffes, because they are tall and can see predators approaching first. Hence, if they scarper, so will their co habitants.

This was a decline we took after seeing the handsome Giraffes....down into another part of the Open Reserve...which I will tell about in my next post in a few days time....so stay tuned EVEREE-BOD-DEE....

Late History Lesson: Queen Victoria Market...

In its 125-plus years, Queen Victoria Market has had a colourful and sometimes controversial history. During that time, the site has been a cemetery, a livestock market and a wholesale fruit and vegetable market. Each of these operations has its own history and an element of controversy.
The Queen Victoria Market was officially opened on 20 March 1878, a range of markets having operated from the site in varying forms prior to that date. The market is Heritage listed.

The Melbourne City Council was originally established in 1842 to manage the City's many markets, of which one was Queen Victoria Market.

Queen Victoria Market survives today as one of the largest and most intact examples of Melbourne's great nineteenth century markets.

The Queen Victoria Market.....A Green Market...
Queen Victoria Market is conscious of the environmental impacts of business, and has taken a number of steps to ensure the increased sustainability of the Market as a whole.
In 2007, the Melbourne City Council will undertake a Water Harvesting project at the Market, contributing a total of over $540,000 to the budget for the project, which also received external funding of $250,000.In the 1990s, 1,328 solar panels were installed on the Market's F Shed, with the assistance of BP Solar and Origin Energy.


The installation, which generates 252 megawatts of electricity for use within the Market, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 369 tonnes each year, reflects the commitment of both the Market and the City of Melbourne to using renewable energy. The panels have helped Council towards its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero (net) across the municipality over the next two decades.
In recent years, the Market has rallied behind the push to reduce plastic bag usage and landfill. The Market has introduced its own branded, reusable shopping bags that are produced using recycled materials. The uptake of these green shopping bags has been so strong that the Market continues to sell them today.

In the month of November begins a night market with approximately 150 stalls or so. Lanterns light the way through the stalls and music cascades through the old rafters and completes the ambiance of the place. Always nice on a warm night and great way to relax and have a wine and some fruit too.


For tourists, there is a two hour tour that you can book to go on that will show you everything you need to know about the market itself and you get to sample some goods along the way.

As a side note, when I go to the market, especially before a morning shift begins at work, I take along my own re-usable bags. I go see this gorgeous little Chinese lady and she sells me 3 punnets of strawberries for one dollar :)

If I go after a morning shift, I make my way to the delicatessan area (right where that man is standing in the image above) and see this lovely Greek lady. She sells me cheese, smallgoods and gives me a small kabanosi stick to chew on whilst I enjoy the market. She must miss me as I have not been there for a few months now, and she enjoys hearing about my four kiddies. She cannot believe I have so mny in this day and age. Go bless her, she thinks I am too young looking to have so many :)

The market is amazing, the smells, the people, the clothes and treasures to buy. Even if you never bought a thing, it is a great way to spend an afternoon, meandering through the stalls and hearing the blokes call out the price of their fruit in marvellous sing song voices.

Queen Vic Market, a treat for everyone who visits.

For Don...

This is for Don, lovely Therese's husband who passed on last Thursday. Creedence Clearwater Revival..of course...

Tip of the day to youse all....

From one who knows to those who don't....................

IF YOU CLIMB YOUR ROOF OR GET UP ON A LADDER TO TRIM A BLOODY VINE THAT IS OUTTA HAND ON A WINDY SHITTY DAY DON'T DO IT ON THE DAY I AM WORKING IN THE ER!!!

ALSO, IF YOUR TV RECEPTION IS OUT, AND IT IS WINDY, DON'T GET UP ON THE ROOF TO FIX IT, LISTEN TO THE DAMNED RADIO OR SOMETHING!!!

IF THE ROADS ARE WET, SLOW THE HELL DOWN!!!

(For the record, I know youse ain't a word, LOL)

OVER AND OUT FROM YOUR CARING ANGEL OF MERCY!!!

Happenings..

Yesterday I was in the audience of 1 vs 100, the Australian series of the game show with host Eddie McGuire. It was interesting to see how they produce shows in show biz. We were well treated with drinks and sweets and biscuits and fruit. They had a comedian there (who was not as funny) as the people up in the mob of 100. They had time to tell some jokes and relax a bit before the taping of the show.

Today there is a kids' party at a cool play centre. I will take my sproutlings there and then go to work for the evening shift. Of course I. will make sure I have paracetamol in my bag, lest the place be pumping with sound!!Being a wet day, I am sure it will be busy

So it is set to be a busy weekend. I will post the history lesson when I get a chance.

Have a safe weekend :)

Aussie slang....

Just a bit of Aussie slang to make people have a giggle :)

It has been a full day around here and is set to be a busy weekend too.

My Friday's History Post may well be up late tomorrow night. I will see how I go for time.

Someone special...

I feel I know this lady, her name is Therese and she is the wonderful writer of Ella's Child. I wrote and linked many of her posts to a post of mine here and Blogger swallowed it up. I could not recover it, It brought me to tears because, as I was recovering many of my favourite stories Therese has written, I felt I got to know her and her family intimately.
Therese is a very candid and yet soft story teller. Right now, her beloved Don who became a quadriplegic back in 1982 is in a Sydney Hospital awaiting his dream of returning home to die. Their country home that they have made together is just glorious, it is sanctuary, it is only right that it is where Don and Therese and their lovely adult daughters need to be. Oh and not to forget their other children, their animals!!
Last night I began reading Therese's blog from the very beginning. This lady is so gorgeous, courageous and so damned smart. I love her because she is fun, truthful and kicks but of all bureaucrats whether it be in the health system or parliament.
Anyhow, my thoughts are totally with this lovely family. I am guessing that Ali's Angel will guide Don on the next part of his journey when he is ready to let go.

Bullying..

The Education Department of NSW was sued and had to payout a sum of around 1 million dollars to a bullying victim. The claim is that the Education Department failed to protect the boy, who is now 18 years old.

It was said by Andrew Blair, president of the Australian Secondary Principals Association, that bullying now extended to the internet and was a difficult issue to tackle. Also, that the issue extends beyond the playground and lies with the parents at home. That we as parents need to be a part of the solution to the problem.

Duh, really? I agree, but isn't it plain obvious? Apparently not to some people.

When I was at school, I often protected by brothers. One was older than me, one was younger. The younger one, he suffered asthma. For a few weeks he tired to skip school..."Oh, I feel sick", "I have a pain in the tummy"..all these things he kept on with. Then, one day, I saw with my on eyes what was going on. Two bullies a few grades higher than he was, were chasing him into the loos. They took his bag and his asthma pump. My brother had an asthma attack, they sprayed the ventolin into his face!!!

Infuriated I layed into them. Next day, my mum came to the school and got the two kids. She had them in their class room with their teacher. She grabbed one of the kids and held his nose and mouth from behind, just until he began to struggle. She let go. The teacher was flabbergasted, my mum just said, "Now, this is what you put my son through when you chase him and make him have an asthma attack. Only, one day, he will die from it!". Those kids never did touch him again.

Because I still live in this area, and my kids go to the same school I went to with my siblings, I still see these kids..only now they are adults. Funny thing is, they are deadbeats, no hopers and I think it is karma biting them in the ass for being shits. I do not rejoice in this fact, but it stands to reason, they were too busy being bullies and not concentrating on schooling.

The school has an anti bullying rule the kids have to abide by. If anything happens, the kids are to report it, and the school is to deal with it. Gone are the days that a mum can enter a school and do what my mum did. Hell, my mum's rule was, "If you don' t hit a kid back for hitting you first then I will hit you!" That is something that is not tolerated nowadays.

Yes, parents ought to be part of the picture when it comes to these matters. After all, kids are home more than they are at school. The big part of today's bullying culture is via SMS and the Internet. Easy fixed? Yes, call block on the mobile and watch your kids on the net. Be parents for goodness sake.

Make them all get outside and play and be kids. Play dodgeball, tiggy, ride their bikes, make a cubby house out of sticks, play leapfrog and just get along!!

Nicholas is 8!!!

Nicholas turned 8 years old yesterday. He had a party at Hungry Jacks with 12 of his friends in attendance. Consumption of high sugar foods resulted in the obvious loud and boistrous behaviour. Why not? It is a treat that the kids do not get allthat often in our place.

The cake, two rolled sponge cakes cut into slices, placed in a pyramid design and melted Cadbury Easter Egg on top with sprinkles on top.

Here is an update on Bondi. He has not grown much really, he has been a good dog. He is very cuddly, wait for him to purr, then realise he is a DOG. I mean, he sits on you and snuggles in, just like a cat would. He likes to attack Mia's toy horse Dusty, it is a little bigger than he is, so I guess it is threatening to him. We exchange Dusty for a small bear, after telling him short and sharply, "No". It works so far.
These are the gifts I got for Mother's Day today. A calendar, spoons with chocolate set on them so when you maka a coffee you can swirl it into the coffee, a hair brush, floating candles, a soup mug, a notebook and pen, tissues with a emery board in the cute pack, and some hard lollies. Best of all I got huggs !!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mum's out there :)

Friday's History Lesson: South Melbourne Market.

South Melbourne Market 1870.

Pictured in 1900.

Images of the South Melbourne Market....not sure who to credit these fine images to, were obtained from the Port Philip Online site.

The South Melbourne Market commenced operation in 1867 on land made available under a Crown Grant to the former City of South Melbourne. The original market covered the area bounded by Coventry, Cecil and York Streets and the St Kilda railway line in South Melbourne
A roof top car-park was added in the 1970's.

The original A and B Sheds in Coventry Street were destroyed by fire in the 1980s and rebuilt. The land in York Street adjacent to the current buildings was used as the City of South Melbourne's Works Depot for many years and cleared to build the present asphalted car park in the early 1990's.

The Food Hall in Coventry Street was added in the mid 1990s, replacing part of the original market structure. Ownership of the market was transferred to the Port Phillip Council as part of a Victorian government program in 1994.

A stall was set up by a man named Mr Kuen (Ken) Cheng in the 1950s after the public established a taste for his product by having first sold them at the Caulfield Racecourse. He also sold them at various pubs and, over time, they became a firm favourite with many Melbournians. Mr Cheng died in September 2006 but the stall using his secret recipe for this delectible delight is continued by his family.
As far as dim sims go, they are large, meaty and spicey. When I was pregnant, I would buy two of them, two was enough for a whole meal for me. Just to go to the market and see the lines out front of the stall even now is proof enough that the product is worth the wait.

In the early 1900's my grandad lived right near the market. He would be sent down to the market with an old pram and some change to buy as many potatoes and anything else he could get his hand on for the family at home. He remembered fondly a cake stall. The cakes were all displayed on these lovely plates. His mum asked for a plate of cakes. The lady serving her came back with the cake in a paper bag. My pop, for as long as he can remember, had thought, "But what about the plate? Where is the plate?" He was only about 4 years old at the time. So, he thought the plate would come with the cake! He told me this story two weeks ago when we met up for lunch in Kyneton.
My dad had a stall there in the 1980's. I used to help him out sometimes on a Saturday. He would sell window cleaner and disinfectant that was manufactured in a warehouse he was employed as a fitter and turner at the time . I guess with four kids and high interest rates at the time, it was a great way to make some extra cash.
People would come with their empty plastic bottles and I would fill them up with the product they requested. It was a good recycling idea, re using the bottles. The products were great too, nicely scented. With my days earnings, I would buy myself some steamed dim sims and put the rest away for some nice clothes.

South Melbourne Market, it is a place to go to if you want a leisurely day looking at clothes, buy a gift for someone, or just to sample some fine foods from the food hall. The coffee aroma alone is devine!!!