Category Archives: Australia

Yarn July August 2023

The Southern Yarn, July-August 2023

Interesting how one thing leads to another, eh? I recently came across a good example of this concerning the other Australian national anthem. In the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Waltzing Matilda was played by mistake for Marjorie Jackson’s gold medal presentation, instead of God Save the Queen. Anyhow, to find out how its tune came to be, see “Did you know” p.7.

Also included in this issue are several stories of how the “Lest we forget” sentiment continues to be honored: a commemorative ceremony in Cairns, Queensland, for a WWII Catalina crew, a similar event in Summerville, Nova Scotia, for the loss of 4 airmen in a training accident 80 years ago, and the efforts of many dedicated volunteers and service personnel to honor the war dead through involvement in War Graves projects.

And there’s the usual variety of other news, humour and summer-reading pleasure.

Welcome, “Air Supply”

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One of the most successful Aussie bands of all time – “Air Supply” – is coming to Winnipeg on Monday October 2.

The duo of Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell are celebrated the world over for their simple yet majestic love songs. Their romantic rock albums have sold tens of millions of albums around the world.

Tickets on sale Tuesday May 16 at 10:00 am through the Centennial Concert Hall website.

Get ready for “a fun and nostalgic evening.”

Yarn May June 2023

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Spring has sprung,
The sun is ris,
I wonder where the birdies is…

They will no doubt be flocking through soon, mostly on their way further north. Thankfully some regulars have stayed around through the winter months – chickadees and nuthatches – and visit our feeders daily.

We took a walk through Kings Park a couple of weeks ago and saw a fleet of pelicans on the river (more than 100). Some were perched on bits of remaining ice. Further along the track, Judy was buzzed by a cheeky chickadee. Luckily, she had come prepared with some black sunflower seeds in her pocket and was soon treated to that unique pleasure of having them feed from her hand. Birds I view this issue is about wood ducks (p.8).

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Southern Yarn for March-April, 2023

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The March-April edition of The Southern Yarn is once again available for your enjoyment.

To get you started, here is Charlie’s editorial:

A couple of bits came my way for this issue that triggered some nostalgia.

Regular Yarn readers will already know that I have a soft spot for Australian bird life, and I’ve been known to eagerly play a YouTube video of a kookaburra laughing or a lyrebird doing imitations for Canuck friends who had a more deprived upbringing. However, in addition to Vegemite, there are many other enjoyable reminders of “home”, such as hearing the ABC Radio News theme music – fair dinkum! Growing up in the ’50s the radio was it for news, entertainment and serials. Continue reading →

Did you know …

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Australia is one of the top travel destinations in the world, and rightfully so. On January 26, we celebrate Australia’s diversity, rich history and culture, and breathtaking landscapes.

Did you know…

Australia has unique flora and fauna that cannot be found anywhere in the world; 90% of the animals are unique to Australia
There are 60 wine regions in Australia
Australia is the only continent in the world without an active volcano
One of the most famous drives in the world, The Great Ocean Road, is dedicated as a memorial to those who died fighting in World War I
Australia’s Indigenous people have lived on the continent for more than 65,000 years
90% of Australia’s animals cannot be found anywhere else
Australia is home to the world’s largest reef ecosystem
Fraser Island in Queensland is the world’s largest sand island

Courtesy of Downunder Travel Calgary