I’m bit of a history buff, in particular concerning Australian agriculture and NT pastoralism.

With the Live export ban, I started to collect more information and while I used some of this information for writing articles it was disjointed and difficult to find, I am disappointed it so hard to obtain any or even consistent information regarding the workings of abattoirs in Australia.

So I started to bring together information myself, fairly amateurish, some even just hearsay but I started with just the Katherine abattoir, creating timelines of its operations, establishment, owners, incidents of significance and then the closure and why it closed.

I’ve burned my internet download, frequented several libraries, poured over my beloved NT history books and annoyed as many long term pastoralists as I can, including ringing friends and family of friends who have given me names of people who worked at these sites.

This exercise has grown slightly, as I have started to collect information on literally every abattoir I happened across.  I have focused on NT, WA and QLD as these are the states most affected by live cattle exports, which is the main market my families property supply. The abattoirs I have tried to research are those currently operating, those closed, from the very old to only recently closed, at last count through the 3 states NT, QLD and WA nearly 110, including other states another 30. I have also tried to put together a very basic list of important milestones and factors affecting the meat industry in the 3 states.

I don’t dispel that live export has affected the supply of animals and affected operations, but I’m not convinced that assuming no live animal export will automatically ensure Australian abattoirs can easily hold their own on the international meat market stage.

Australian Abattoirs face incredible pressures both economically and fundamentally in the long term due to the prevailing factors of

• animal supply
•  seasons
•  labour and Unions
•  government regulations
•  markets
• costs of services/goods/production
• International dollar currency values/exchange and
•  abattoirs own ‘interesting’ management choices.

The information I have found isn’t necessarily proven fact or checked for authenticity though I have tried to base it on documented articles as much as possible and people with real experience. I make no claims it is even comprehensive. Many of the sources are newspapers of which I have no ability to verify but hope they certainly state the facts as they believe them to be correct at the time.

I intend to update the information as often as I can. In some cases there are abattoirs that I may have incorrectly allocated information too as Abattoir names may be referred to by others as suburb locality, the current owner at that time or just the general area they are located.  At times information in some articles particularly in regards to exact dates, contradicts other articles so there may be a variance in some timelines as to exact years of closures and operations. In that case I have listed both articles to try to show the reader a discrepancy exists. I have tried to refer to abattoirs in the suburb in which they are located.

If you see something that is wrong I would sincerely like you to contact me so I can correct it. If you know information or others who may like information added please contact me and I will certainly consider, especially if it is documented and willing to provide evidence of or by people who managed, owned and worked in these sites.

I would greatly appreciate more input to add to this data. If you know of articles, books or reports that discuss abattoirs, please feel free to supply the name of the articles, I need the article title, authors, dates of publishment and any other details to source the articles in libraries and such.

There is so much knowledge out there and I feel saddened that much is being lost because people may feel it is inconsequential now.

I have referenced as much information as I could, though personal conversations I have called #1, #2 as some of these people though happy to give me information don’t want their names on the internet.

I do have more photographs to put in for various sites but I’m still seeking permission to use them, so if you see a note to this effect I hope to eventually get that permission and add that photo.

I am happy for people to use information from this site as long as they acknowledge the http://www.cattleproducer.wordpress.com site, if you use the photos that are mine please ask first, all are permanently digitally marked and can be traced.

It is going to take a while to get the information up on the site due to the fact I have a real job at home.

I hope you find the following articles informative.  Jo

What a view! I found this quiet place of solitude in The State Library of Queensland. I think it is such a great idea and whoever was the designer what a genius. My friend and I sat in quietness of the Library and watched as the boats and ferries carried on up and down the river. It was just delightful.

Rural Skills Online in Qld High Schools
http://goo.gl/H08PP
Rural Skills Australia has released their April Newsletter regarding the Rural Skills Online learning facility. Gympie State High School is one of the first schools in Queensland to facilitate access to Rural Skills Online via arrangements negotiated and agreed between RSA and the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The department has agreed to meet the annual facility charge, subject to participating schools finalising arrangements with RSA to pay student logon and data transfer fees.

Share the Road Safely with Heavy Vehicles
http://goo.gl/n5zAT
Road Safety Minister Michael O’Brien today launched a new road safety campaign to increase motorists’ awareness about sharing the road with heavy vehicles.

RII09 Core Unit Bundles & Skill Sets
http://goo.gl/SlRjX

Head over to our website and save 20% off all RII09 core unit bundles & skill sets! Enter the Promo code “BUNDLE20″ at the check out to receive discount.

Underground Mining Technology & Innovation 2013 Conference
http://goo.gl/PMBTl
Keep up to date by attending the underground mining technology & innovation conference. A landmark forum showcasing cutting edge technologies and innovative practices to optimise underground mine productivity, safety, global competitiveness and sustainability.

Core Skills Profile for Adults
http://goo.gl/m0TXi
The Core Skills Profile by The Australian Council for Educational Research is a set of secure online assessments matched to the latest Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The CSPA was developed by ACER staff with high level expertise in the design of online post-school assessments in language, literacy and numeracy.

Keep Calm & Record

Keep records of everything!
From evidence of assessment to reviews of policies and procedures. Improvements need to be tracked to show how you have progressed.

These days most photographers use photoshop to put different techniques or effects on there image and take a certain look an extra mile.
Personally, I like adding different techniques and effects to some of my photography. For example changing your photos into a panorama, HDR or adding a vintage look to it.
Having that extra zing or really creating something out of a photo makes to make it look better or to change something is rather interesting and it brings out the creativity from the personality of the photographer into the photograph.

Photographers such as Ken Duncan, Mark Gray and David Evans have some really outstanding panoramic views of landscapes, city scapes etc. Having a look at other photographers work is interesting to see their point of view.

The photograph above shows one of my panoramas that was done a few weeks ago in queensland. A beautiful sunset that amazes me as each sunset is different and I had the chance to capture this one which was a great accomplishment.

Learning more and more about photography each day rather excites me, so if there is any new or old techniques that you want to share, feel free to do so.

Regards,

Ebony

It is a stunning, modest village in the rainforest, in which the rainforest literally fulfills the reef!

Daintree Rainforest is the most significant rainforest in Australia and is over a hundred thirty five million years old. It also has the greatest and most numerous array of plants and animals on earth. For guests, it attributes mountaineering trails, camp sites, picnic tables, swimming holes and seashores. Guided excursions are accessible, including river excursions on the Daintree River.

Search for our collection of articles or blog posts on the 5 other states of Australia like Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, and its mainland territory, Northern Territory.

Make contact with a Expert Journey Agent today to guide your dream getaway to Australia!

Sentosa was after acknowledged as Pulau Belakang Mati, in Malay “Island of Demise from Behind”. In a 1972 contest organized by Singapore Tourist Promotion Board the island was renamed “Sentosa” this means in Malay “Peace and tranquility”.

Sentosa has an location of five kilometre sq. and is positioned .five km from the Southern idea of main island Singapore. 70% of the island is lined by secondary rainforest. Sentosa is a habitat of keep an eye on lizard, monkeys, peacocks, parrots and other indigenous flora and fauna. It has a beach stretching three.2 km.

Sentosa together with a neighbour island, Pulau Brani in a natural way plays an critical part in defending the Singapore Keppel Harbour which is just one of the busiest harbours in the planet, from monsoon and tough sea.

Traditionally, Sentosa is an significant armed service spot. It was fortified to defend the harbour and coal stock. During Earth War II, Sentosa was utilized as a British Armed forces Fortress. Next the surrender of Allied Forces on 15.2.1942, Sentosa became a jail of war camp for Australian and British prisoners of Japan.

In 1970, the Singapore Federal government decided to develop Sentosa into a holiday getaway resort for nearby site visitors and vacationers. Due to the fact then, some S$420 million of non-public capitals and another S$five hundred million of Government cash have been invested to produce Sentosa.

One particular of the points of interest offered in Sentosa is the Underwater Entire world &amp Dolphin Lagoon which is an oceanarium found on the Western aspect of Sentosa. Opened in 1991, it has more than 250 species from unique area of the entire world. The oceanarium has 83m extended travelator that moves along a submerged glass windowed tunnel from which people can glance at the marine life like sharks, turtles, fishes, coral etcetera. A Dolphin Lagoon, was integrated which houses some Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. “Fulfill Dolphin” sessions are held everyday.

Track of the Sea show was began in 2007 replacing the 25 a long time old Musical Fountain present. It is the world’s only lasting display established in the sea. It has a spectacular pyrotechnics shows, a reside forged and an open air viewing gallery for 2500 visitors.

Situated at the Imbian Lookout Sone, Carlsberg Sky Tower is the tallest totally free-standing observation tower in Asia. This a few hundred and fifty kilometer leg requires you on the Fantastic Eco-friendly Way to twenty islands and twelve countrywide parks.

Consider sailing about the Whitsunday Islands to behold remarkable beauty and Magnetic Island, near Townsville awards white sands to frolic upon and crystal blue waters. Hinchinbrook National Park, to the north, features a seem at Australia’s most significant island park. This trip is ideal for tenting together the way, just employ campervan in Cairns or Brisbane to start your adventure, effortless to reverse this journey. The shoreline will in no way cease amazing you with the appears, colours, and sights it has in store. Your journey stops in Cairns, the tropical north city complete of exhilarating issues to see and do.

Get Ready For A Colorful Experience from Brisbane to Fraser Island

Your 1st day cease in at Noosa to store the boutiques, snack in a bistro and gaze enviously at the beachside flats. Noosa Countrywide Park provides bush land, and the beach locations are some excellent lookouts to fill any want. Head to Gympie to dig for gold and verify out Maryborough for a provincial encounter. Hervey Bay hosts whale watching then get there at Fraser Island, by way of boat, for a really sandy expertise. This Globe Heritage surprise is a single of a sort currently being the world’s largest sand island. Participate in a tour or 4-wheel push the working day away! Central Station hosts lush rainforest and the Cathedral Cliffs will seize your creativeness with its array of colors. Lake McKenzie is image excellent and a wonderful backdrop for a picnic lunch. Overnight in a beachside tent, cabin, or vacation resort or discover a caravan park for your rental campervan.

These days from the Sand Dunes of Fraser Island to Bundaberg

Your initial quit is in Elliot Heads. Fish, swim, or jet ski the entire day for some fantastic fun on the h2o. Dive in at Innes Park or view the kangaroos enjoy at Woodgate Seaside. View sea turtles nesting in their all-natural habitat and appear for hatchlings at Mon Repos, shut by Bundaberg. Lady Elliot and Girl Musgrave Islands, on the Excellent Barrier Reefs south aspect, is house to manta rays and coral reefs for your diving or snorkeling satisfaction. -Moreton Bay Islands are just a quick travel and ferry experience from Brisbane. Providing dozens of sandy islands in the sheltered blue waters, Moreton Bay is a favored getaway for Brisbane locals and visitors alike. Here you can feed the wild dolphins or make the rewarding hike up to the summit of Mount Tempest.

The Gold Coast is a really common location. In fact, it is where several Aussies go for getaway. With 70 kilometers of sandy beaches, theme parks, dining places and shopping, you can’t go incorrect.
Here are some highlights of the Gold Coastline:

-There are 35 beautiful beaches on the Gold Coastline boasting activities like sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, pace boating, deep sea fishing, and just making the most of the seaside. Some of the a lot more well-known kinds are Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta, Broadbeach and Currumbin.

Comprehensive info on corals at keppel bay can be discovered at main website.

Last Friday saw the launch of Mbegu Mbega at Black Star Cafe.
The launch was successful with many attending.

This is one of my favourite forms of photography as you can capture things that you just cant see with the human eye.

Traffic light streams are a classic one that can be very effective in capturing cityscapes at night along with other movement that long exposures are able to get.

Essential item for night photography is a good steady tri-pod & a cable release if you have one wont go astray.

Generally when I shoot night images I start before sunset, to hopefully capture a nice sunset too, then my shutter speeds start to slow down as the artificial light takes over into what is known as blue-hour.

To get the ambient light crossing over with the artificial light is the perfect balance in blue hour where you get some light still in the sky & not too black, that is too late then.

Some images of Brisbane at twilight & blue hour are posted below.

More info on the way I go about night photography soon.

After years of restoration works, the Brisbane City Hall opened their doors to the public last weekend. I loved the architecture in this old building, as well as its futuristic colour changing dome roof. This, along with the powerful voices of a choir that was singing on arrival, was a wake up to my eyes and ears.

The Museum of Brisbane has also made the move to the City’s Town Hall – has some awesome Brisbane history. Here are a few more things that caught my eye.

Ambitions just recently announced a mini tour with Sunshine Coast, Queensland band Countdown To Armageddon .

**** THE SCOOP ****
Ambitions has a video clip coming out for their new track “The World; The Stage: Featuring Thomas Savage” of Brisbane Chelsea Grin cover band “Arbour Lane”.

check out Ambitions here

15 in a row. Top that gentlemen!

I did indicate in an earlier post that I would do a match report of the Women’s Rugby League interstate match.  And well, QLD won 30-12.  That’s 15 wins in a row for those following along at home.  Tries were scored, some big hits and clashes, a bit of blood spilt, and a decent intercept try (admittedly by NSW).  That’s about as good as my match review can get.  I’m not a journalist, I don’t sit at a game with my program and record the penalty count or errors.  I get too caught up in the game.  I can’t analyse a game and enjoy it as well.

I had the same problem when I played.  I love watching the footy, even when I was on the field.  It was a harsh reality to then receive the ball and have to make a hit up: Sh!t, the ball’s coming my way!  It’s a good thing I was mostly a bench player.

A sterling team effort

I can tell you the half time score was close, 10-6 to QLD but it was NSW who led early.  QLD had plenty of possession but couldn’t convert it to points until late into the first half.  The second half started much the same way, but about 10 minutes in the floodgates opened and QLD raced away to open up a lead of 16+ points.  NSW scored a late intercept try courtesy of one of their speedy wingers which QLD could not match for pace, but by then it was too late.  QLD could not be headed.

I don’t think there are going to be too many stats from this match available for the punters to digest.  Offload counts, try assists and meters gained stats remain the domain of the professionals, but if I could run a half cocked expert eye over the game, I’d say that field position was won by QLD and NSW led the error count.

Sorry I don’t have a fancy graphic to back that up.

Steph Hancock on the charge, setting up another QLD try

The player of the match selected was Steph Hancock, but the dominance of the team display meant there were several other worthy candidates.  Overall, an encouraging display and, given the growing number of women’s teams around the state playing on a weekly basis, a good indication that 16 wins for the maroons is not out of reach.

Congratulations to those named in the Jillaroos squad to contest the World Cup in England as part of the Festival of World Cups.  Now whether Australia can win that one, well, that’s another blog.

But I digress, they’re currently smashing out some really awesome local shows & have some interstate shows coming up to, so make sure you swing the band a “Like” on Facebook and keep up to date with their adventures!

don’t be a faggot check these chaps out here

There’s also a full length coming this year, once there’s more information released you’ll be the first to know.

2013 will see TEP running across Australia again for a whole lot more shows!

check out the band here