Accommodation – Equitana Melbourne 2010

April 27th, 2010

While there is a truckload of accommodation in and around the centre of Melbourne, when there is a lot on, only dodgy pubs and extremely expensive hotels remain unoccupied. I have learnt my lesson from a past mistake and missed out on ideal accommodation by booking too late, and thus was left staying in an […]

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Equitana Melbourne 2010

April 21st, 2010

I will have a stand at Equitana Melbourne 2010 which is on at the Melbourne Show Grounds from 18th to 21st November. More than 50,000 people are expected to visit what is described as ‘the largest equine shopping spree in the Southern Hemisphere’; with more than 300 horse-related trade fair exhibitors, equine masterclasses and education […]

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Australian Outback Maps

April 6th, 2010

Topography, Road & Station Maps of Inland Australia The cattle stations I visit are situated along good quality bitumen roads such as the Flinders Highway, Barkly Highway, Stuart Highway, Arnhem Highway, Victoria Highway, Great Northern Highway and Gulf Development Road; and bitumen roads that are narrow, with edges not always in ideal condition, such as […]

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Preserving Australian Rural Heritage & the ICOMOS conference

March 16th, 2010

Australian – International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is the peak body for Australian professionals who work in heritage conservation. This year the annual conference theme is ‘Outback & Beyond – The Future of Historic Towns, Industrial Heritage & Pastoralism’. The upcoming conference will be in Broken Hill (far western NSW), 22-25 April 2010. […]

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Flying in the Australian Outback

March 6th, 2010

To fully appreciate the vastness of the Australian outback, it is best to see it from the ground and from the air. Most northern inland charter companies rely on aerial mustering work for the bulk of their business. However many also offer tourist flights as well. Charter Companies North Australian Helicopters North Australian Helicopters, based […]

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Floods in far western Queensland

March 2nd, 2010

Most of far western – southern/central Queensland has an average rainfall of around 6″ (150mm), but in Australia average rainfall figures are usually misleading. In many years Queensland’s channel country only receives 1-2″ (25-50mm) and in other years they get 10-15″ or more (250-375mm). Cattle stations in the channel country have had a fair old […]

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Bronco Branding Competitions in the outback

February 24th, 2010

If you are travelling through the outback this year and would like to see Australia’s unique sport – bronco branding – then visit the Bronco Branding Australia website for some dates of upcoming bronco branding competitions. At present there is a Queensland and South Australian Bronco Branding Association. Most bronco branding competitions are held in […]

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Computer use in the bush

February 22nd, 2010

There are still misguided souls who believe the percentage of computer literate rural residents is lower than the percentage of urban residents. In actual fact it’s quite the reverse. Most rural residents are so practical and efficient they will pick the eyes out of anything new and ignore what is time-wasting or unhelpful. There is […]

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Frank McAlary QC 1925-2010

January 27th, 2010

Frank McAlary QC was a classic example of a bloke born in the bush who developed a very successful city career but maintained a life long love of the land. A passion that was able to be followed by purchasing properties such as Yeeda and Mount House in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia; […]

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Rural Radio Programmes

December 6th, 2009

Australian ABC Radio: Regional Radio – especially 5am-7am and the Country Hour from noon until 1pm, weekdays. The Queensland Country Hour ‘ Australia All Over‘ with Ian McNamara, Sunday mornings, 5.30am to 10am. It can be heard outside Australia via shortwave radio or over the internet. ‘ Saturday Night Country ‘ with John Nutting, ABC […]

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