“I was happy to introduce His Excellency Martin Harvey, High Commissioner of New Zealand in Canada to Honourable Kelvin Goertzen, Deputy Premier of Manitoba for the first diplomatic engagement between New Zealand and Manitoba.” – Brad Robertson, Chief of Protocol, Province of Manitoba.
The April=May issue of The Southern Yarn is available now read it online now, or await your version on glorious yellow bond paper through the post, if you prefer.
Here is the Editorial, by Charlie Powell, just to get you started:
It seems like the “dry” has started here in Manitoba – so little snow during winter that there is no spring runoff! The rural community is worried, therefore we all should be. “The Dry” also makes the list of top 25 Aussie films at the box office. Of course, we all know which one is still way out ahead of the rest … see NewsfromOz, p.5. You’ll also learn who owns some of the iconic brands downunder. Speaking of which – I recently gratefully accepted an unfinished jar of Vegemite with a Best Before in 2016! Still good, and still Yum!! As we commemorate ANZAC Day again this year, whether at the usual outdoor service or virtually, pay attention to the Padre. Just as chaplains play an important role in our annual services of remembrance, they played an even more vital role in the trenches. One such example is featured in this month’s Getting to know, p.6. And, speaking of the clergy, the Bird I view this issue is the Cardinal, p.8. All this and so much more – thank you to our advertisers and contributors – Judy, Jenny, Peter, Margaret, Ed, Malcolm, Terry.
You can check out all the past issues of our Yarns page.
The steady and heavy rain falling in many of the most populated areas Australia are pushing infrastructure to its limits. Here is a quick news video about the immense Warragamba dam that provides most of the fresh water for Sydney.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-22/nsw-flooding-forces-evacuations-and-school-closures/13266072
The Southern Yarn – February March 2021
The February-March issue of The Southern Yarn is available for download now. Also check out the back issues at our dedicated Yarns page.
To get your started, here is the Editorial:
A common theme to much of our content for this issue is “nostalgia” – not by design, it just turned out that way. You will especially find some of that if you follow the links provided in the OZ and NZ News to the respective Film and Sound Archives – thank you to Ed in Adelaide for those. Maybe during the pandemic lockdown(s), you watched a Bond movie, or two. A run of them was offered by a TV channel here in the ‘Peg. “Getting to Know ..” on p. 7, explains the inspiration for the 007 super spy. Do you remember Chips Rafferty? Did you know he was born in Broken Hill? When we lived in Laidley, Queensland, a special treat was to cool off with a Weis Bar – a uniquely molded ice cream made with real fruit. Sadly, they’re no longer being made up the range in Toowoomba (p. 5). And I’m showing my age, but I used to enjoy listening to “Dad and Dave” on the ABC. Dave and his girlfriend, Mabel, are featured in this month’s Bush Yarn (p. 6). There is much more to reminisce over if you keep reading.
Thank to Ed, Jenny, Judy, Peter, Brian, Lucia’s sister in NZ, and our sponsors.
This from Toby Elson …
“I ran out of Vegemite in November. As you know, Stonewall FF hasn’t been able to get any for a while and I needed my Vegemite fix.
“So, I ordered custom jars from Australia for the same price (with shipping) compared to what I’d been paying locally for the small jars.
“All in, it was $70 for 5 large jars and took 4 weeks to arrive. It was packed really well and fun to have my named jars.
“Sign up at the Vegemite store and get 10% off your first order.”
Thanks, Toby!