GROOVIN‘ HISTORY DREAM OF TWO NEIGHBOURS Groovin The Moo, An all Australian Music Festival dreamt up by two Austalians For Everyone to enjoy. That is held across the country during the months of April and May. Groovin The Moo was established by Cattleyard Promotions.
In Newcastle during 2003, two neighbours came up with a idea over drinks, a musical festival with a twist. With great music on offer but also an event the local community would be able to support and get behind, Local clubs and business, Newcastle TAFE music school all would be involed, It would be an event for everyone. Local service groups would be involed, with fun and affordability the main focus. As momentum was gained and support grew the with neighbourhood, the dreams of two men were realised and GROOVIN THE MOO WAS BORN. The inauguarl year was 2005 and the first event held at Gloucester showgrounds on Saturday 24th April where 1,400 people attended to see The Screaming Jets, Killing Hedi, Grinspoon and local newcastle bands. Over the following years GTM was back, this time taking the festival to new locations including Mailtand (NSW), Albury (NSW) and Darwin (NT). The first internations act featured was in 2006 with Gomez (UK) touring along side Aussie legends Hilltop Hoods, The Herd And Faker. The first sold out show was in 2007 with Maitland selling out, of course it would have Silverchair and The Black Keys (USA) headling. The same year Albury was again on the schedual with the likes of Grinspoon, Sneaky Sound System and Xavier Rudd performing. In 2008 GTM came to Townsville for the first time, the first of the Townsville show being held at Lou Litster Park bringing The Presets, The Potbelleez and Spiderbate. Townsville was the first show to be held in Queensland. Over the following years the Townsville events were held at the Murray Sports Completx (Cricket Grounds) and in 2012 the event was held at the Murray Sporting Complex where it has been held ever since. In the 10 years in which GTM has been coming to Townsville there has been two sold out shows, 2012 and 2017 respectivly. In 2009 and 2010 GTM again expanded this time to Bendigo (VIC), Bunbury (WA) and Canberra (ACT). With more shows added and an epic line up on the bill, the team at GTM work had to ensure three weekends of magic and mayhem were delivered. GTM showed no signs of slowing down over the course of the next three years. Ensuring that the shows continued to be bigger and better than the previous year. All the teams hard work paid off with the line up continuing to grow and dates selling out nationally each year. Long laid plans of expanding into the Adilaid Hill (SA) came to life as the event took to Oakbank. Over the following years the GTM tour continue touring across five states and terrioties over a three week period.
It‘s been an epic journey since the idea of GTM was first conceived, but it still seems like a dream and that the festival has only just began, with the energy that the GTM community brings, eagerness to grow something of their own. GTM shows no signs of slowing down either, with each year the line up just keeps getting bigger and better with more international bands choosing to play the festival. Over the 13 years some of Australia‘s biggest artists have performed at various locations and various years. Some include the likes of ARIA Awards winners Grinspoon, Silverchair, Hilltop Hoods, The Amity Affliction, The Living End, Spiderbait and The Presets. Along with the Incredible line up of Australia Artist GTM also has featured bands from across the world including The Black Keys (USA), Vampire Weekend (USA), Tegan and Sarah (USA) The Wombats (UK). GTM will return to Townsville On Sunday 6th May 2018 at the Murray Sports Complex, with tickets on sale now. With performers such as Grinspoon, Paul Kelly, The Amity Affliction and Royal Blood (UK) it is sure to be event to remember. Keeping in touch with community spirit and commitment that was always a large part of the vision for GTM, there are local Non-For Profit organisations that are at the event and always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when needed, these include Red frogs Australia. The Red Frog Crew primarily act as intermediary between service providers and patrons, They also can help manage the hydration of festival attendees by giving out frozen water confectionary (Icy Poles) while proactively looking out for concerns and issues, They also manage hydration by having a team of volunteers manning water stations during the events Another way they organisers of GTM keep with community spirit is by having member of Headspace Australia at the event with the Headspace Help Desk. At each location the friendly team will be help with lost and found, phone charging, supply of sunscreen for patrons, taking pics and also providing all the general festival information anyone could need on the day. GTM is a festival that caters to the Australian Rock, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic and Metalcore genres. GTM is the type of festival that can be enjoyed by patrons off all ages, with many of the festival attendess ranging in age from teenagers to adults. GTM also offers patrons the chance to see Australians bands and Artist that were popular and a influence during their younger days. Through the success of GTM the Cattleyard Promotions established The Plot music festival in 2013, which unlike GTM focuses more on emerging and breaking Australian musicians, and unlike GTM the Plot is only held in metropolitan cites. Maybe one day regional Australia might be lucky enough to play host to the future generation of Australian Musicians. GTM returns to Townsville in 2018 with the event being held at The Murray Sporting Complex (Cricket Grounds) on Sunday the 6th of May with a start time of 10.30 am. Tickets can be purchased via the GTM website and another ticketing site for $119.95. Tickets can be purchased up to the day with ticket sales closing at 5.30AM ACKOWLEGMENTS: Groovin The Moo Web site/PxHere.
Author: MR. April 2018
BAKER BOY MUSIC ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Coming off the back of an incredible debut year in 2017, it seems there is no slowing down this Australian Hip Hop and Rap star. Born in Darwin in 1996, Danzal ―Baker Boy‖ Baker grew up in the Arhnam Land communities of Millingimbi, and Maningrida. He then relocated to Townsville to attend Shalom Christian College as a boarder and secondary schooling student, before studying his artistry at the Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts, in Brisbane. These stepping stones helped to make it possible for Baker Boy to go on to win the Triple J Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards – a special celebration of indigenous music. Now based in Melbourne, Baker Boy‘s music infuses his cultural background with more typical Hip Hop elements. His music and videos often feature indigenous communities, other indigenous artists, traditional dancing, body painting, and traditional instruments. As an original member of the Yolngu dance troupe Djuki Mala, Baker is no stranger to performing on the big stage, and said during an interview with The Guardian: ―Yolŋgu people have been dancing and singing and playing instruments for centuries.‖ He is devoted to guiding others in the right direction, such as using his position to encourage young people to use music and dance to reconnect with their culture: ―It is in our blood[…] We learn quick, too, from listening to elders, watching music video clips, and dancing films‖. Baker‘s goal is to help young indigenous people navigate their way through both the traditional and Westen worlds by: ―Building the bridge for the two worlds to come together.‖ Impressively, Baker started rapping and writing songs only last year, wanting to be the first nationally popular artist to rap in an indigenous language. He hopes that using both English and Yolŋgu Matha languages in his song lyrics encourages people to learn about each language and culture: ―I think we just want to be heard – we‘ve got something to say,‖ he said. Then adding: ―It‘s like my secret way of pulling everyone together, I guess.‖ Through music and dance, his songs carry social messages that can inspire, and which make us question the way things are right now. ―I‘ve already seen changes,‖ he said during his interview with The Guardian. ―If I can change one person‘s mind, then that‘s enough for me. And from there, it will just keep spreading and spreading.‖
―Baker Boy is just getting started!‖ Enthusiasm and energy is always at the forefront of everything that Baker Boy does, so our fingers are crossed that his passion for music, performance, and culture, will help his music and voice to be heard and his story to be seen by audiences across Australia, and beyond. With two singles; ―Cloud 9‖ and ―Marryuna‖, earning their place in the nationally-popular Triple J Hottest 100 Countdown of 2017, and a myriad of 2018 festival appearances already lined up – Baker Boy is just getting started! Stay tuned for Baker‘s currently untitled debut album, which is expected to drop Mid-2018. We cannot wait to see how this exciting artist influences the Australian Hip Hop scene! ACKNOWLEGMENTS: Photograph of Danzal Baker, The AU Review.
Author: M.D., April, 2018.
CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES COLLEGE CERTIFICATE II IN MUSIC INDUSTRY & CERTIFICATE III IN MUSIC INDUSTRY
The Townsville Creative Technologies College is on the Campus of Heatley High School. It was the creation of Bjarne Ohlin, the lead guitarist from the internationally successful Australian Rock and Roll group; The Divinyls. The course in Music Industry provides a nationally recognized Training Certificate. It is not conducted as an online course, it is face-to-face with your teacher. It costs $300 and it has a competency based internal assessment. Bjarne Ohlin was one of the founding members of the internationally aclaimed band The Divinyls which started up in Sydney in the fervent Rock and Roll atmosphere of the 1980‘s. Chrissy Amphlett who came from a musical family formed The Divinyls with Mark McEntee, Jeremy Paul & Bjarne Ohlin in Sydney in 1980. So Bjarne Ohlin had years of vital ‗ lived experience‘ in the Music Industry to draw from when he finally established himself in Townsville and created such a fantastic course of study for the Youth of Townsville. ―The five of us back in the first half of the eighties had something special. When people started to get sacked or left, the chemistry got mucked up. Later in their career, Divinyls had terrific players, maybe even better than that first line-up, but I don‘t think the band was ever better than when it was Chrissy, Mark, Harre, Bjarne and me.‖ Rick Grossman, Chapter 9 Demons & Headaches, Pleasure & Pain: My Life by Chrissy Amphlett
‗TCTC WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2011‘ Bjarne Ohlin ―The Townsville Creative Technologies College (TCTC) is a digital trade training centre that was co-developed by Heatley Secondary College, in partnership with the Townsville regions creative digital industries. The TCTC delivers nationally – accredited training at Certificate I through to Certificate III (and eventually in Certificate IV) in a specific range of creative industry technology, business, design and production areas. Students at the TCTC are inspired to create and break new ground as required by a skilled and enterprising labour pool. They are challenged to build their capacity to find creative solutions for graphic design, print, publishing, interactive entertainment, web design, simulation, digital imaging, animation, film making, editing, audio and music production. These are the digital trade skills that service the ideas and design industries critical to the economic, social, environmental and sustainable development of our future. J R-S 17.4.2018
CHARTERS TOWERS FORTY FIRST COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL Get ready for three days of country music in a real country atmosphere, on 4th to 6th of May. You guessed it - the Charters Towers Music Festival is on again! Running for the 41st year in its history, the Festival promises to bring a weekend of up-and-coming country musicians, the widely recognised amateur Talent Quest, and evenings of professional live country music shows. In the days leading up to the Festival, just about the whole town is likely to be celebrating this great annual event. In past years, judges representing the Festival visited local primary schools to judge the children‘s dress up competition, and kids rode on floats to support their favourite Rugby League club; in commemoration of the floods, or in solidarity against a drought. Meanwhile, about this time each year, country music can be heard daily in the town‘s many bars and hotels, and on the street of the central business district as popular buskers entertain shoppers and passers-by. 2018‘s event organisers have lined up something for festival-goers of all ages. There is the talent search, which since 1978 has helped to kick-start the careers of many Australian Country Music artists. You can write your way into Country Music history with the songwriting contest, which shows off entrants‘ skills in writing country music songs. Even children can be a part of the show, with the Prince & Princess event. For all the dads and mums, uncles and aunts out there, do not wait too long to nominate your ‗prince‘ or ‗princess‘, as each applicant must sell a set number of tickets for a worthy cause before they can enter the event. This year, applicant‘s ticket sales will support the Festival‘s Art Union. In the meantime, do not forget about the camping. Camping is a must, for those who wish to soak up the full experience of the Charters Towers Country Music Festival. Any festival-goer will tell you that camping is the ultimate way to start and end each day of music, sun, and fun. Regardless of whether camping means dusting off your best festival tent, or polishing up the rusty Hilton-on-wheels caravan, we are sure that this will be a weekend to remember. The Festival‘s official campsite is The Showground located at 13 Miner Street, Charters Towers.
Powered sites and unpowered sites are available, and modern toilet and shower facilities can be found near the sites. Whilst pre-sold camping tickets can be purchased from the Festival‘s Committee, please note that the Committee is unable to secure sites in advance, so make sure that you arrive early enough to secure the right site for you or your group. Those who are less fussy about where they camp, or who are not coming as part of a larger group, may also purchase tickets from the Festival Office (located under the Grand Stand) upon arrival at The Showgrounds. Pre-sold tickets must also be collected from this same location. 2018‘s Charters Towers Country Music Festival will boast a range of professional country music singers. Festival-goers will be looking forward to live shows by popular artists, each night. This year will see the Festival headlined by two major Australian country music artists: Drew McAlister, whose accolades include composing hundreds of songs with and for a variety of prominent Australian country music artists, and who performs as an solo artist songs such as Australian Heart, and Black Sky. The second headliner act is Brendon Walmsley, the overall winner of the 1998 CTCMFestival who has since won the prestigious Tamworth Star Maker Quest, and Golden Guitar awards for his country music songs including Rose and Rodeo, Last of the Big Gun Drovers, and Never Never. So dust off the tent, purchase your tickets, sign on for the talent quests, pull out your favourite country music albums, and start looking forward to the 41st annual Charters Towers Country Music Festival. It is sure to be a great weekend of music, sun, and fun. We hope to see you there! For all information about pricings and payment methods, how to enter compentitions or activities, visit the event page at: https://www.charterstowerscountrymusicfestival.com.
‘Never Never by Brendon Walmsley’ Listed as the first Track in his 2012 self-titled best of album, Brendon Walmsley‘s Never Never is an ode to John Flynn, founder of Royal Flying Doctor Service – a true blue Australian hero. His compassion for the country some couldn’t understand He set to bridge the distance across this lonely land With a wireless he worked a way to give the dead heart life With doctors taking to the sky his dreams were taking flight Never never say never will it happen Never never say it can’t be done When you’re alone and feel you’re forgotten Have a little faith and see what’s coming Never never say never will the sun rise On a day when all your dreams come true Open your eyes and you’ll be flying In a never never sky of blue
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Map of Charters Towers Showgrounds, Google Maps. Seven people standing in front of Royal Flying Doctors Service plane, Royal Flying Doctors. Lyrics of Never Never from the 2003 album Never Say Never, Brendon Walmsley. Author: M.D., April, 2018.
QUEENSLAND BASED MUSICIANS ARTISTS WHO ‗MADE IT‘ Kate Martin is a twenty-two year old singer-songwriter originally hailing from Townsville and now residing in Melbourne. She has released four albums in her eight year career and supported the likes of The Middle East, Josh Pyke, Emma Louise, The Waifs, The Paper Kites, Bluejuice and Little Birdy. She rose to fame after taking out the 2012 Unearthed spot for the Groovin‘ The Moo festival while also signing a record deal with Gaga Publishing which helped spread her music across numerous places on prime-time Australian television. She is renowned as a great live performer with a commanding stage presense and captivating style.
―I don‘t want to be limited by genre. I want to always remain diverse and spontaneous by running with whatever ideas inspire me at the time ... however, my signature will always be embedded in each of my tracks in some way, shape or form.‖ - Kate Martin The Middle East was a band based in Townsville which formed in 2005. Initially the group only played locally but grew to become a national and international touring band. The band released their first album called ‗The Recordings of The Middle East‘ in 2008 before splitting up for eight months. After the split they reformed to release an abridged version of their debut album as an EP in 2009 through Spunk Records which achieved international success. The band then went on to perform at several major Australian music festivals including Splendor in the Grass, Big Day Out, Homebake and the Woodword Folk Festival. The Middle East won the Triple J ‗Unearthed‘ award in 2009 and released their first full album, ‗I Want That You Are Always Happy‘ in Australia and New Zealand during April 2011. This would also be their last album as the band announced at the Splendour in the Grass festival in August 2011 that their set that night would be their ―last show ever‖.
Author: AC. April 2018
QUEENSLAND BASED MUSICIANS ARTISTS WHO ‗MADE IT‘ Bernard Fanning is a singer-songwriter from Toowong, Brisbane, best known for his role as lead singer of the Queensland based alternative rock band Powderfinger. He developed an interest in songwriting at an early age and began writing music at the age of 12. He studied journalism at the University of Queensland but dropped out after meeting Ian Haug in an economics class in 1989. Haug had recently formed Powderfinger with high school friends John Collins and Steven Bishop, who would become the band's foundational bass guitarist and drummer, respectively. Haug was the lead guitarist and lead singer. On discovering Fanning's singing abilities, Haug replaced himself with Fanning as lead singer and frontman.
―It was a big thing to convince the others that we needed a singer. They were like, 'You're OK,' and I was like, 'No I'm not. We can do better than that.‖ - Ian Haug In 1992, current guitarist Darren Middleton was invited to join Powderfinger by Fanning and Haug, after they were impressed by his work in Brisbane band Pirate. Middleton accepted the offer and became the fifth member, joining Jon Coghill who had replaced Bishop as drummer. The line-up of Fanning, Middleton, Haug, Collins, and Coghill then remained unchanged. Throughout the late 1990‘s, Powderfinder rose to prominence releasing five studio albums, receiving several accolades and achieving mainstream success in Australia. In 2005, they performed at a WaveAid concert in Sydney, to help raise funds for areas affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. After the WaveAid concert, from early 2005, Powderfinger had a period of hiatus. During the separation, most band members pursued other musical projects; on the personal front, Haug and Middleton each had children, and Fanning met his future wife. In October 2005 Fanning issued his debut solo album, Tea & Sympathy, which reached No. 1 in Australia and No.11 in New Zealand. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2006, Fanning won in four categories including "Album of the Year" for Tea & Sympathy and "Best Video" for its lead single, "Wish You Well". "Wish You Well" was ranked at No. 1 on the Triple J Hottest 100 poll in 2005. At the end of 2006, Fanning toured in support of the album's release in the United Kingdom and North America. Powderfinger then reunited in 2007 and released two more albums before disbanding in late 2010. After the disbanding of Powderfinger, Fanning moved to Spain with his family where he began writing and recording demos for his next solo album. In January 2013 Fanning announced on his website blog that he had been recording the follow up to 2005's Tea and Sympathy in Los Angeles. In March 2013 he announced via his blog that recording had been completed and he had returned to Australia. The album Departures was released on 7 June 2013, with the first single "Battleships" released on 22 April. Fanning released his third studio album Civil Dusk on 5 August 2016. It was preceded by the single "Wasting Time". Author: AC. April 2018
AUSTRALIAS AWESOME BEES WHY AUSSIE BEES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BEES IN THE WORLD
Bees are among the most studied, yet least understood animals to share our world. They are also among the most necessary animals to share our world with approximately 65 per cent of the crops we grow in Australia depend on bee pollination.
Honeybees are social animals, living in a complex society, with a queen, security guards, builders and repairers, cleaners, nurses, undertakers, heating and cooling technicians, scouts, honey makers, pollen stampers, store workers and collectors of nectar, pollen, water and resin. And they are incredibly productive. A single colony can easily contain 10,000-60,000 working bees. Each female worker lives for roughly a month and is so effective at pollination that she may forage more than 500 flowers in a round trip. Since bees travel anywhere up to 10km away to gather pollen and nectar, their pollination services extend way beyond your garden or those of your neighbours. The first recorded surviving introduction of European honey bees into Australia occurred in 1822 aboard the Isabella. Since that time, honey bees have established widely throughout Australia. Commercial beekeeping has been incredibly successful because of the extensive areas of native vegetation, particularly eucalypts and other members of the Myrtaceae and Proteaceae. This abundant native floral resource produces large quantities of pollen and nectar, making this continent an ideal climatic and geographic region for the honey bee. The European honey bee is the most important insect pollinator of cultivated agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide. In Australia approximately 65 per cent of the crops we grow idepend on bee pollination. Commercial beekeeping businesses in Australia are mainly nomadic, with many hives being moved up to 20 times in a given year to a variety of different locations, either for pollination contracts or for honey production. It has been estimated that pollination services from honey bees contribute a whopping $4-6 billion annually to the Australian economy. Plant species on which honey bees forage differ in their responsiveness to pollination by honey bees, this can mean increased seed or fruit set, improved shape and storage qualities of many types of fruit and some crops such as
almonds are 100 per cent reliant on honey bees for pollination. Specialist pollination services are also essential to the breeding of new strains of many crop and horticultural species. The Australian honey bee industry produces between 20,000 and 30,000 tonnes of honey annually, which makes Australia one of the top ten honey producing countries in the world, with a large amount of honey produced in Australia exported to a variety of countries overseas. Not only are our honey bees important to our economy, they are important to the world since the spread of the varroa mite. Originating in Asian honey bee hives, verroa mites have a detrimental impact on bee hive health, honey production and pollination services. Australia is the only major honey-producing country still relatively free of the pest. Though the mite has been detected here with the first report in an Asian honey bee nest at the Port of Townsville in June 2016, it has not yet gained a foothold here. The National Bee Pest Surveillance Program in Tasmania has set up surveillance to defend Tasmanian bees from pests and help keep world bee populations healthy. The program places working honey bee hives close to ports which beekeepers then regularly test to see if any pests or exotic bees have hitched their way in on a ship. The sentinels are European honey bees, stationed in hives within 600 metres of ports as part of a national program to keep pests like the varroa mite out of the country. "These ―sentinel hives‖ are tested every six weeks for all the exotic pests that we want to keep out of Australia Because of the lack of varroa mite and other bee pests such as the small hive beetle, which has been found in other parts of Australia, Tasmania's bees are a sought-after commodity. Each year Tasmania exports bees to Canada and the United States where thousands are lost over the cold winter months and to varroa and other pests. This makes the job of the sentinel bees not just important for Tasmania and Australia but for the world.
To report unusual bee activity call 13 25 23 Back in Townsville Biosecurity Queensland is asking Townsville residents to report unusual bees and unmanaged bee colonies. Public assistance is an essential part of the hunt for varroa mite. As bee activity becomes more prevalent, Biosecurity Queensland are once again asking local beekeepers and the wider Townsville community to report anything unusual to us as bee activity. The best way to do this is to call 13 25 23 so a biosecurity team can be sent to investigate. A legislated prevention and control program for varroa mite started in December 2016 shortly after the varroa mite was first detected. Movement restrictions, which apply to live bees, bee hives or any part of a bee hive that may contain live bees, are still in place and prohibit these items leaving the Townsville City Council area.
BRAKING THE CYCLE COMMUNITY ORGANISATION SPOTLIGHT There are many barriers to success, no matter what you are trying to achieve. Perhaps one of the most significant barriers, is a lack of opportunity. Some others include anxiety, apathy, and medical conditions - the list goes on. No matter your reason for not yet having your driving licence, it is worth giving learning to drive another go: This time, with a little help from our friends over at Braking the Cycle! One of the most commonly cited reasons for people not having their license is the 100-hours logbook requirement. In July 2007, the Queensland Government introduced a requirement for Learner (―L‖) Licence holders who are aged below 25 years old to complete 100 logged hours. While any attempt to preserve life and improve driving practices should be applauded, it has created a barrier to young people getting their Provisional (―P‖) License. In some cases, these changes to the law have resulted in young drivers lacking the opportunity to satisfy this requirement, and in other cases putting learning to drive in the ―too hard‖ basket and waiting until they turn 25. Meanwhile, some people over 25 continue to not have a licence. Unfortunately, people sometimes face stigma and pressure about not having their Learner or Provisional Licence, despite the fact that this may result from the barriers that they face. This stigma and pressure adds to the difficulties that people face when they have been unable to obtain their licence – this is a cycle of lack of opportunity and support, which can lead to stigma and pressure, which makes it harder to obtain a licence. For example, 100 logged hours is hard to get without support or money: Without friends and family who will freely support you, nor access to the finances necessary to either purchase a car to practice in or to pay for professional lessions.
―It is difficult to do 100 logged hours without support or money.‖ The unfair and unnecessary stigma and pressure of being unlicenced is explicit in the July 2017 Government Statement: $5 million Funding to Help Young people Train for Driving Test, which states: ―It aims not only to empower young people to get their licence, but also to break the cycle of welfare, unemployment, and anti-social behaviour.‖ Ignore these blind economic imperatives and unfair social labels; it is important to remember that people‘s personal value goes far beyond their ability to contribute to the economy. A licence can unlock opportunities, independence, and connect you with community, friends, and family. }}
Those under 26 years old, who already have 10+ hours of Learner driver practice - do not worry, as this is a cycle that the Braking the Cycle program can help you to break! Contact PCYC, to learn from mentors who want to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people. Break the cycle to help find success in your own life. For contact information, elgibility criteria, and information on how to volunteer as a mentor, visit http://www.pcyc.org.au/Clubs/Townsville/Youth-Programs.aspx. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: PCYC Mentor with a young driver, PCYC Queensland.
Author: M.D., April, 2018.
POPSTARS NINTEYS MUSICAL Popstars the Musical is the musical presented by St Margaret Marys College. It‘s a Boy Band versus Girl Band battle of Epic Proportions. Nice guy Mark is head over heels in love with his popular girlfriend Shannon- Until she drops him. Shannon has no times for Boys. When she learns that pop band impresario Simon Austen is going to be the surprise judge at the State Talent Show she dumps Mark for her chance at show biz stardom. Mark goes from high School Hero to High School Zero in no time . He and his mates have a grunge band and they decide to change to an all boy band to compete with Shannons all girl band CandyGirls. The boys music is really good , but they are hopeless dancers .Mark enlists the help of the very talented new girl Ella to teach them to dance and the sparks soon fly. With great hits from the Backstreet Boys , Spice Girls, Cher, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, MC Hammer,N*Sync and many more, This will be a great nite out for the whole family. Students from St Margaret Marys College , Ignatius Park College and St Patricks College all combine together to peform this funny musical, which is a must see for Townsville residents. Performance Times Thursday 31 May 7.30 PM Friday 1st June 7.30 PM Saturday 2nd June 6 PM Prices: Adult $40 Seniors Card $35 Pension Card $30 Tertiary Full Time $30 School Student/Child $25 Family (2 Adults,2Children) $105 Group of 10+$35 Each Location: Riverway Arts Centre 20 Village Boulevard Thuringowa Central Ticket Shop PH 47279797
SEAGRASS IN CLEVELAND BAY TOWNSVILLE ENVIRONMENT North-East of the Townsville mainland and SouthEast of the famed Magnetic Island, is beautiful Cleveland Bay. The Bay is home to both sea life and commercial enterprises. With so much interest invested in the good conditions of our natural environment, we take a moment to reflect on the past, present, and future of seagrasses in the Bay. As many residents of Townsville and Surrounds are aware, for more than 10 years the Port of Townsville Limited (POTL) has been planning to widen the shipping channel. POTL‘s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was recently approved by both the Queensland Government, and the Australia Government‘s Department of the Environment and Energy. While a final funding resolution has not yet been reached between POTL and the Queensland Government, the POTL media release on 7 February 2018 was hopeful that the project to widen the channel (the ―Project‖), would commence within months. This 193 Million Dollar project comes as part of a 30-year plan by POTL to expand the Port. The Project plans to use a capital dredging method to shift thousands of tonnes of seabed from the channel. The mechanical dredge will be like an excavator that you would see digging holes at an ordinary construction site. This dredge will be mounted on a barge that floats on the surface of the water. Meanwhile, the barge will be attached to pontoons which will hold the barge steady and prevent uncontrolled movement. The retractable arm of the dredge will scrape and dig materials off the sea bed, then pull it out of the water and onto the barge. POTL‘s EIS says that this excavator material will be relocated to the ‗Reclamation Area‘ (depicted in the image above). Notably, the above image from POTL‘s webstite inaccurately depicts the shipping channel as much farther from Magnetic Island and a seagrass bed. Whilst the EIS expressly states that no materials excavated by the dredge will be disposed of at sea, there are questions as to the effects that dredging, and the broader reclamation process, will have on the natural environment. Furthermore, the decision to select the ―environmentally-friendly‖ Mechanical Dredge Method was no doubt a result of a general tendency by the Government department to reject more invasive methods of dredging. POTL says that the Channel needs to be widened in order to compensate for the increasing widths and depths of recently-manufactured ships. Since ships commonly are proportionately deeper, wider, and longer, currently only ships of less than 239 meters long can safely use the channel without being exposed to unreasonable risk of becoming grounded. Whereas, the Project will see this ship size limit increase to accommodate ships more than 300 meters. POTL wants to capitalise on commercial opportunities available only to wider shipping channels.
According to their website, POTL expects that the Project will result in larger ships docking in Townsville, an increased demand for berths (docking locations), and overall increased use. Since 2007, seagrasses have been monitored in the Townsville port as part of monitoring the Cleveland Bay area. The Port of Townsville Annual Monitoring and Baseline Survey 2016 – TropWATER Report no. 17/01 (the ―2016 Report‖) briefly describes its findings as: ―The overall condition of seagrasses in Townsville was classed as good in 2016.‖ This report by James Cook University‘s TropWATER (fully funded by POTL), made multiple key observations, which include: Five consecutive years of overall growth of the combined monitored seagrass meadows; increased above-ground biomass as compared with 2015; increases in the dominance of foundation species of seagrasses, particularly at reef-tops of inter-tidal reefs; and high densities of dugong feeding trails in several areas (some near dredge zones).
―… It reduces the available light for seagrass.‖ Dugongs have been described as, ―cannaries of the sea‖ in that the condition of dugongs may reflect the quality of health in marine ecosystems. The 2016 Report (funded by POTL) has 54 pages and only seven key findings. Oddly, it specifically mentions dugong trails as a ‗key finding‘, but the 2016 Report‘s willingness to engage with the topic of discussing dugong feeding habits in the Bay seems to end there. Including ―high density of dugong feeding trails‖ as a key finding generates a lot of ‗good will‘ for POTL, but the Report easily could have discussed dugongs further, such as analysis of the fact that dugongs rarely feed near the Port, or the proximity of the Channel to a large seagrass bed. Furthermore, it is noted that the 2016 Report attributes much of the increase in bio-mass and covering as owing to recent take-overs by more dominant species of seagrass, which require more light to survive than colonosiing species. It is further noted that the Report states 2009 to 2011 declines in seagrass were highly correlated with turbid water conditions. By contrast, the Report states that in 2015 and 2016 certain seagrass beds went from ‗moderate‘ to ‗good‘ or ‗good‘ to ‗very good‘ - this likely was due to lower rainfall in 2015-16 causing a reduction in fine sediments being released from rivers, which in turn resulted in lower levels of turbidity in the Bay. Regardless of whether the cause of turbidity is strong winds, or riverine inputs, or some other man-made cause (such as widening a shipping channel), it is clear from previous data that having soil or sediments suspended in the water may reduce the light available to seagrass beds. With more light-dependent seagrasses now dominant in the Bay, turbidity poses greater risk to seagrass beds than in previous years. The Project to widen the channel, and all following projects in the POTL‘s expansion plan, may lead to fine sediments being suspended or resuspened in the water. For example, the building of the Reclamation Area and subsequent construction could work to impact dugong‘s feeding behaviours, and the overall health of the broader port area. Whilst POTL has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the Cleveland Bay area through research and monitoring, it is recognised that environmental concerns are often considered secondary to economic motivations. POTL has stated their reasons for expanding as being predominantly for monetary gain. We hope that their decision to use a more environmentally-friendly mechanical dredge method indicates a genuine good faith towards the quality of health and natural beauty of Cleveland Bay, and other marine ecosystems. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Map of Cleveland Bay, Google Maps. Dugong and Seagrass images, CC0 no attribution required. Dredge & Ship hulls & Reclamation area diagrams, & Images of researchers, POTL. Author: M.D. April, 2018.
MUSIC EVENTS CHARTERS TOWERS COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL This festival will start on the 5th and go on until the 7th of May; the festival is welcome to all ages and offers an amateur Talent Quest that has seen the likes of Samantha McClymont, Brendan Walmsley, Anthony Taylor and Judah Kelly, they will compete against each other to win varies prizes also be shore to check the professionals live shows in the evenings of the great event. You can find your way by going to Mary street Charters Towers (Australia Queensland 4820). For further information, please read our two page article in this edition of All About Townsville Magazine.
GROOVIN THE MOO This event will start on the 6th of May and is a great way to have some fun with your mates. Groovin the Moo tours act on all ages which allows for a more diverse crowd, all ages are allowed with capacities at a manageable number to ensure that all people have a good time and get along. The price to get into this lovely event will cost you $119.50 so bust open that piggy bank and have fun.
MORNING MELODIES Come and see one of Australia‘s favourite performers Catherine Alcorn in a delightful morning performance. Spend the morning reminiscing the romance and glamour of the silver screen, and the unforgettable songs that made them as Catherine Alcorn and her group sing some of her favourites such as Moon river and As time goes by. Entry is only $14, and if you‘re a FOTT (FRIENDS OF THE TIVOLI) member it‘s only $12 this delightful performance is rare and is being held on 20 Village Boulevard, Thuringowa Central 4817 QLD at 10:30am to 3:00pm, this event will be held on the 16th of MAY.
JIMMY BARNES- WORKING CLASS MAN TOUR This event will be in the Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre on the 25th of May and will be starting at 8:00pm to 10:30pm. This event is 18 years and older tickets can be payed for online. Jimmy talks about his entire adult life in this autobiography—chronicling his ups and downs that he experienced. The cost to enter will be $119.90 and $99.90 for B reserve so save up and go to a grand event.
DANCE TROPICS DANCE This event will be taking place in the North Ward Townsville area on the 26 of May 2018. Featuring the hilarious MC Ian Zaro and a cracking showcase of local dancers from Movimiento, Lindyhop Swing group, Dancenorth Company, and crews from Dancenorth‘s Public Program ―Open Class‖ Hip Hop crew, 80s Jazz crew and the gorgeous ―Forever Young‖ over 50s dance group. A night full of party tunes by 1RAR‘s kickin‘ band playing songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s will be in attendance. Come on down and have fun, this is a family friendly event so bring the kids and have a great time. POPSTARS THE 90S MUSICAL This event will be hosted on the 31st of May to the 2nd of Jun, there is a Boy Band lead by Mark and a Girl Band lead by Shannon as they go head to head in a talent show competition. With some songs coming from the Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls. It will shoaly be a grand battle of the sex‘s so come on down to the Riverway Arts Centre to one of the best events of this year. The price of tickets are $40 for Adults, $35 for those who have a Senior Card, for a pension card its $30, Tertiary Student Full-time can get in for $30, for school Student/child it is $25, families can get in for $105 (2 Adults 2 Children), and finally if you come in a group of ten or more it is $35 (for each person).
Author. B.Y. April. 2018
MUSIC AND HEALTH MEMORY, STRESS AND HEALING Music is great to listen to, but did you know it can have some great health benefits as well. It can motivate you to exercise or even help with stress, but it also helps people with serious health issues like Dementia or Alzheimer‘s and even Parkinson‘s. Here are a few things music can help with, in day to day life and even serious medical issues.
MEMORY Studies have shown that music can help people with Alzheimer‘s recall memories from their past. Playing a song they used to listen to can trigger memories and sometimes even get them talking again for a brief moment. Even people without Dementia or Alzheimer‘s can have better memory because of music; Musicians have shown to have much better memory than people who don‘t play any instruments at all. That doesn‘t mean you have to play an instrument to have good memory, listening to music regularly can also improve your memory.
STRESS AND ANXIETY A lot of people feel stress with day to day life, listening to music can help manage that stress and relax your body and mind. Listening to calm soft music can make a big difference in your stress levels, but you also must like the music you‘re listening to otherwise it could have the opposite effect. It could raise your stress levels or give you depressive feelings. It is important to listen to the music that you like. Depression and Anxiety usually go hand in hand but music can even help with depression. Only certain types of music can help though, Classical and Meditative music can help but loud heavy music like Metal and Techno could actually make it worse. People going in for surgery sometimes listen to music to calm them down, and again after surgery to relieve the stress from it.
HEALING POWER OF MUSIC Listening to slow music can help your body relax and release tension which helps relieve pain and improves healing. Brain scans show that music and motor control share brain circuits Some doctors put music on for stroke patients in early recovery to help with motor control, even patients with Parkinson‘s benefit from music helping them with movement and control.
MUSIC IN EVERYDAY LIFE Music can help you in everyday life, and you might not even realise it. Playing music without lyrics while studying can help you concentrate on your work. Music with lyrics can be distracting if you‘re studying but it can help people who have to do something repetitive like paper work you‘ve done a hundred times before. It can motivate you to push yourself when you exercise, like peddling faster when you‘re cycling. Listening to soft music after your workout can help speed up your recovery. A study has shown that it can even help you eat less. Listening to soft music at dinner with the lights dim can help you eat slower and ultimately eat less. Someone might have cut you off while you‘re driving and put you in a bad mood after a stressful day at work, listening to music while your driving can improve your mood and hopefully prevent that road rage. Music can help people struggling with insomnia or other sleep issues. As previously mentioned music can help you relax and relieve tension, it can also help you sleep better and wake up feeling better rested.
FEELING GOOD Listening to music releases dopamine into your brain, dopamine is the chemical that makes us feel good, like just after you exercise or satisfy your hunger, it can give you a natural high. When you feel good, it gives you a healthy blood flow.
Music has a lot of benefits and can help almost everybody with something. It could be stress relief, helping you recover from surgery or a stroke, help you exercise or even study. Music is a great thing to have around, and we should listen to it more. Even if you have none of these going on, music is still great to listen to anyway. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Image 1 Artist Pixel Embargo Shutterstock.com Image 2 Musicedu.com
Image 3 30hands.com Author: NB. April 2018
COMMUNITY MUSIC PROGRAMS A DIRECTORY TO PERFORMING ARTS RSL PIPES AND DRUMS Details: Traditional pipe band that enjoys adding a sprinkle of Celtic flavour to events in the local community. Learners welcome, All ages. Address: St Margaret Mary's Charters Towers Rd Hermit Park QLD 4812 Website: townsvillersl.com.au/ Contact: Phone 4773 7008 E-mail rslpipebandtsv@gmail.com TOWNSVILLE COMMUNITY MUSIC CENTRE Details: Not-for-profit organisation which provides professional performance opportunities and workshops for emerging and established local musicians Website, newsletter, email postings Facilitates tours into the region by both national and international musicians Address: Townsville Civic Theatre 41 Boundary St QLD 4810 Website: www.townsvillemusic.org.au Contact: Phone 4724 2086 Mobile 0402 255 182 E-Mail admin@townsvillemusic.org.au TOWNSVILLE MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS SPACE Details: TMPAS is a group that promotes inclusion, participation and cultural diversity; and provides a venue and opportunities for performance artists to showcase their talents in a public forum. Artists from all forms of the performing arts are encouraged including dance, music, poetry, stand-up comedy, short skits & plays, juggling, acrobatics and the like. TMPAS encourages and welcomes people from all backgrounds, ages and genres of music - so is an eclectic mix of performing arts. Address: The Old Court House Theatre Cnr Sturt and Stoke St Townsville City QLD 4810 Website: www.tmpas.com Contact: Mobile 0417 473 325 E-Mail tmpas01@gmail.com TOWNSVILLE AND THURINGOWA COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION Details: Country Music Fun Day - 2nd Sun of the month, Camping and music weekend 2nd weekend of August at Toomby's Horseland Alice River. Camping, facilities and single accommodation available. Address: St Joseph‘s School Ross River Rd Mundingburra QLD 4812 Contact: Mobile 0417 199 744 E-Mail weus3@bigpond.net.au TOWNSVILLE FOLK AND ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUB Details: Focuses on acoustic music performed by professional and amateur musicians, Each meeting allows for music and dance and spoken performance by artists of all levels of ability, Sound equipment available for hire. Address: Bellevue Hotel 17 Allen St South Townsville Qld 4810 Website: www.palmcreek.com.au Contact: Mobile 0408 785 034
NORTH QUEENSLAND OPERA AND MUSIC THEATRE GROUP Details: Musical theatre company 18 yrs and up depending on the style of show, Presents two major musical productions and a New Year's Eve show each year, Hall including airconditioning and audio equipment-conditions apply for hire. Address: NQOMT Hall Gill Park Off Hugh St behind Pimlico High School Pimlico QLD 4812 Website: www.nqomt.com.au Contact: Phone 4775 4204 Mobile 0416 393 693 E-Mail secretary.nqomt@gmail.com TOWNSVILLE UKES Details: The club's aim is to help people discover the joy of playing ukulele and also use those skills to play with confidence at other music clubs, music festivals or special performances. All levels of ability catered for, Spare ukuleles available, Accompanying singers welcome. Address: West End Hotel Ingham Rd West End QLD 4810 Website: www.townsvilleukuleleclub.org.au Contact: Mobile 0427 572 649 E-Mail tsvukes@gmail.com FLUTE MAGIC Details: Expert tuition: Classical and Celtic flute, piccolo, Irish wooden flute, tin whistle, Performing ensembles: Classical & Celtic ensembles available, quality music for all occasions, showcasing Townsville's finest players. Address: 85 Marabou Dr Annandale QLD 4814 Website: www.facebook.com/nqldirishassoc/ Contact: Mobile 0414 466 331 E-Mail flutemagic@bigpond.com TOWNSVILLE AND THURINGOWA PIPES AND DRUMS Details: Tuition and performance of highland bagpipes and drums. Address: PCYC Aitkenvale Wellington St Aitkenvale QLD 4814 Website: www.townsvillethuringowapipeband.org Contact: Mobile 0415 929 382 Website admin@townsvillethuringowapipeband.org TOWNSVILLE JAZZ CLUB Details: Jazz nights on 2nd & 4th Sunday each month featuring local bands playing great jazz music in a relaxed and friendly environment. The regular jazz nights have a sit-in bracket and visiting musicians are encouraged to play, Dancers most welcome, See website for current program, Monthly newsletter. Address: PCYC Wellington St Aitkenvale QLD 4814 Website: www.jazztownsville.com Contact: Phone 4788 0919 Mobile 0417 214 838 E-Mail townsvillejazz@icloud.com
CHOCOLATE AND RASPBERRY TART ULTIMATE DESSERT Ingredients for base - (Serves 10) 200g plain flour + extra for dusting 25g Cocoa powder 25g Icing sugar 175g Cold butter 1 Large free-range egg yolk 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract 250g Fresh raspberries Chocolate Filling: 500ml Double cream. 75g Golden caster sugar. 300g Dark chocolate (70%). 2 Large free-range eggs. Method:1. To make the pastry, sift the flour, cocoa powder and icing sugar into the bowl of a food processor. 2. Cube and add the butter and a pinch of sea salt, then pulse till it resembles bread crumbs. 3. Add the yolk, vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of cold water and pulse again, until the dough comes together. 4. Tip out onto a floured surface and bring together with your hands, wrap it in Clingfilm and let it chill for 20min. 5. Pre-heat oven to 220*c/6gas, and insert a baking tray to heat up. 6. On flour dusted surface, roll out the pastry to a 25cm circle to the thickness of a pound coin. 7. Using your rolling pin, lift the pastry and drape it over a 23cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Ease it into place, pushing the pastry right into the corners. 8. Roll your rolling pin over the top of the tin to cut off any overhang, prick the base all over with a fork, and return to the fridge to chill for 20min. 9. Take the tin out of the fridge, and line it with greaseproof paper, then fill with baking beans or rice. 10. Bake it on the baking tray for 15min, then remove beans and paper and return it to the oven for a further 5min, until golden brown. Set aside to cool. 11. Meanwhile, make filling. Pop the cream and caster sugar into pan place it over a medium heat and bring to boil. 12. Break the chocolate into bowl, pour over hot cream and stir until all the cream has melted. 13. Beat the eggs, stir them into mixture. 14. Scatter the raspberries into the cooled tart case, and then pour in the chocolate filling. 15. Return to the oven for 20min, or until the filling is almost set but still has a little wobble in the middle. 16. Leave on a cooling rack to cool completely, and then ease the tart out of the tin. Cut and serve. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Image of tart, Taste.com
Author: C.P. April 2018
SOUNDS LIKE A CELEBRATION GUITAR CAKE RECIPEI
Ingredients 2 x 470g packets butter cake mix 1/3 cup(35g) cocoa powder 1 black licorice strap 1 ice-cream wafer 2 pink musk sticks thin black elastic 1 thick licorice twist 6 round yellow lollipops Butter cream 125 butter, softened 1 1/2 cups icing (confectioner's) sugar 2 tbsp milk Baking trays you will need to make the cake guitar 8cm x 25cm bar cake pan, deep 20cm square cake pan, deep 22cm square cake pan and a 40cm x 80cm rectangular cake board or tray.
Method 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease cake pans line bases and sides with baking paper, extending paper 5cm above sides. 2. Make cakes according to directions on packets. Pour mixture into pans, so that all mixtures are the same level; bake bar cake about 30 minutes and square cakes about 40 minutes. Stand cakes in pans 5 minutes before turning, top-side up, onto wire rack to cool. 3. Assemble the three cakes, as pictured, placing bar cake in the center at the end of the smaller square cake. Make two slits in top of each side of the smaller square cake, to halfway through the cake cut off these four small pieces (you will need only two cut-out pieces for the guitar). Place a cut-out piece on either side of larger square cake 4cm up from bottom. 4. To make butter cream, beat butter until white as possible, gradually beat in half the sifted icing sugar then milk, then remaining icing sugar. Beat until smooth. 5. Position cake pieces, cut-side down, on cake board to form guitar; secure with a little butter cream. Discard any leftover cake pieces. 6. Combine 1/2 cup of butter cream with 1/4 cup of the sifted cocoa in small bowl; using picture as a guide, spread all over neck and sound hole. Combine remaining butter cream with remaining 1 tablespoon of sifted cocoa in medium bowl; spread over remaining cake. 7. Outline sound hole with a thin strip of licorice strap, as pictured. Position thin strips licorice strap across neck of guitar. 8. Cut wafer in half lengthways, cut away two corners of each half; press wafer halves firmly into position, one to form bridge, the other at base of neck, as pictured. 9. Cut each Musk Stick into three pieces secure a piece of elastic on each piece Musk Stick for strings. Press Musk Sticks well into top of neck, as pictured. Press a piece of licorice twist firmly over elastic ends at base of guitar to hold the strings steady. 10. Position lollipops at top of neck to make tuning knobs slip ends of ribbon under cake to make strap.
GARDENING FACTS DESERT ROSE
Desert Roses are known by their scientific name of ADENIUM. They are a hardy Succulent able to withstand prolonged periods of minimal rainfall. As the name suggests , they are linked to deserts , this because they are from Africa and the Middle East, but they are not a part of the Rose family . Their real name is Adenium Obesum, and they are related to Almandas, Oleanders and Frangipannis. HABITAT They are known to grow up to 2 meters tall, and thrive in a warm climate , lots of sun, and well drained soil m. Perfect conditions here in Townsville . WATERING A common misconception about these plants is that don‘t need much water. If not enough water they will brown off and drop leaves . Too much water and they will rot . Watering is best done in the morning or evening , when conditions are cooler in Townsville. POSITION Desert Roses prefer open sunny position. It is recommended to use 1 part Vermiculite to 2 parts of good quality potting mix . Or you can purchase Cacti & Succulent growing mixes from local hardware store, these have all the nutrients required and will feed the plant for 6 months. Fill the bottom of Pot or Tray with Pebbles to assist with drainage and fill remainder with your chosen soil mixture as previously discussed. PROPAGATING Desert Roses will flower and release many seeds . The have wispy parachute ends to help the seed travel through the air. Remove the ends and soak the seed overnight in water , this process speeds up the seeds germination. RE POTTING Each time you re pot a Desert Rose you should pot the plant higher in the Pot, as this will encourage deeper root growth. DANGERS Desert Rose is part of the Oleander family and it can be Toxic if Ingested by Animals or Children , so beware to keep the plants out their access.