Welcome to the Down Under Club of Winnipeg. We’re a social club based far, far from our original homes and hold regular events for members and guests. We also produce a monthly newsletter about connections in our new community and all things happening down under. Go on, explore our site and consider joining our group. Hooroo, mates!
We recently had a road trip to Cleveland, Ohio, and enjoyed some great sights, sites and scenery going and coming. But in all seven states through which we passed, smoky skies reminded us of the northern Manitoba bushfires.
Over 2 million hectares are affected, making them the worst on record. Which is why it was heartening to learn of the assistance from Kiwi and Aussie firefighting teams [July 13, 2025]:
“Fire and Emergency New Zealand deployed an additional 43-person taskforce to Manitoba, Canada, to bolster the local response to more than 500 actives wildfires currently burning in the region.
“‘This deployment is in addition to the seven firefighters who left New Zealand on Wednesday. As wildfires continue to burn across Canada it is important that New Zealand supports the firefighting efforts by Canadian crews,’ said Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden.
“An initial contingent of 96 Australian personnel from NSW, WA and Victoria are supporting Canada’s fire suppression operations in Alberta. They have arrived in Edmonton for briefings and will travel to the fires on 12 June, commencing a 35-day deployment.
“The personnel will fill Incident Management Team, arduous crew, and deployment manager roles. The deployment continues a strong resource sharing relationship between AFAC NRSC and CIFFC, and international support and collaboration between the two countries.”
Thanks to Katrina Epp for sending her travel news (p.3). Her mention of Kea sightings during her family visit in NZ brought to mind my encounter with one back in ’74 and prompted this issue’s Birds I view subject (p.8).
Enjoy the write up about Her Excellency Kate Logan’s visit to Winnipeg (p.6), Michael’s AFL column (p.7), and welcome to the Tundra (p.5).
Thanks also to Jenny for her many contributions in this issue and, as always, our advertisers and readers.
The Yarn is once again ready for your reading pleasure.
If I had a bucket list, it would now be one item shorter: I got to witness the “Toast to the Haggis”! This rare excitement came about while volunteering (mostly flipping pancakes) at the 57th Manitoba Highland Gathering last month in East Selkirk.
Selkirk is an apt choice for hosting this event as it was named for Lord Selkirk, who sponsored the Scottish settlers to the area in the early 1800s. [read more: www.lordselkirk.ca/the-settlers]. Congratulations to Margaret Walker and her team for pulling all the bits together that make the Gathering such a culturally significant event. It was fun and also an opportunity for Judy and me to make good use of our little Boler camper for its first outing this year.
In fact, the Selkirk campground was the perfect spot. One of the birding trails brought me within good range of a couple of good specimens – a great blue heron and a bald eagle (see p. 8).
Thanks again to those who contributed other articles of significance in this issue – Sam Dawson for the Club gathering at OEB (p. 1), Jenny Gates for our proud moment in the Legislature (p. 3), Michael Workman for the AFL report (p. 7), and everyone for our Club’s memories and reflections (p. 6).
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The Yarn is once again ready for you to read.
At the risk of overdosing on folate, I have no plans to change my regular enjoyment of Vegemite and toast (p. 4). Hopefully the powers that be will take note of the nationwide, multi-generational “study” that has been in progress for more than a century down under with no warnings coming from the Australian medical profession, and add fortified spreads to their allowable imports.
In this issue, we also farewell a long-standing member (p. 3), offer some viewing ideas (p. 5) and get the low-down on the AFL (p. 7).
This resident ornithologist is taking a break this issue. And instead of my Birds I view column (p. 8), we share (with permission) Gord Mackintosh’s entertaining and informative bird tour of Manitoba. In case you’re of the Scottish persuasion, we have inserted an announcement for the upcoming Manitoba Highland Gathering (p. 3).
All this and so much more – for your reading pleasure.