Australia Mission

Narooma

2009-04-24T13:57:00.010+10:00

We learned from our son, Dan, that there was a Branch President in Narooma, a small town in NSW by the name of Craig Oldroyd. We decided to investigate. Jay called the Sydney South Mission Office and learned that the branch met in Bateman's Bay, about an hour from Narooma but they did not know the meeting times. Our plan was to show up at their meetings unannounced. However, that would not work so he called Craig's home and talked with his wife, Juliet. She was excited to know about us, although they knew that a Dr. Oldroyd was serving as the Medical Advisor in Sydney. Craig was not at home. They have a business in Darwin and he commutes there during the week. Jay told her that we were planning to come to Narooma the weekend of the 11th of April. She invited us to stay with them but we already had motel reservations. She then invited us to "tea" on Saturday night.
We drove from Sydney on Saturday, a 5 hour drive, arriving late in the afternoon. We settled into our Beachfront Apartment, a home that has been converted into 4 apartments of various sizes that overlooks the Southern Pacific Ocean. We had the smallest studio apartment that had a bedroom, bath, small kitchen area and a living room. It opened onto a patio with a grassy area where there was a bird feeder and steps that led down to the road, and a short walk to the ocean.
We changed out of our traveling clothes, then went to meet the Oldroyd relatives. We ate dinner with them and learned that the branch was meeting in Bateman's Bay at 9:30 in the morning. We looked at their geneology and concluded that we must be related somewhere further back than either of us have records because both families come from Yorkshire, England.
We attended the branch meeting the next day and the pot luck lunch following. We decided to spend an extra night in the area and return home on Monday because of the long drive.

View from Kianga a suburb of Narooma where we stayed.

View from our beachfront apartment.

Our apartment in Narooma.

View of the ocean from our apartment.

Our apartment in Narooma. Beachfront Apartments.

Galahs outside our apartment.

Galah at the bird feeder.

Red parrots feeding.

A VISIT WITH THE CRAIG OLDROYDS.

View from deck at the Oldroyd's home.

Juliet and Craig Oldroyd

The four Oldroyds

WILD SOUTHERN PACIFIC OCEAN ON THE SOUTHERN COAST OF NSW.

BOARDWALK NAROOMA

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

AUSTRALIA ROCK NAROOMA

View of Australia Rock and bay from parking lot.

Shape of Australia is fashioned in opening in Australia Rock on the coast in Narooma.

Australia Rock.

Australia Rock and the Southern Pacific ocean.

Elizabeth at opening of Australia Rock.

Jay near Australia Rock.

Stormy skies and rainbow over Narooma.

Wild seas behind Jay at Australia Rock.

Lighthouse Visitors Center - Narooma

Light inside Lighthouse Visitors Center - Narooma.

Lisa and Michelle's Visit. March 8 to March 16, 2009

2009-04-24T10:01:00.023+10:00

The long awaited day has arrived. Michelle and Lisa came for a week's long visit. It was wonderful having them here. We packed a lot into those 8 days. On the day of their arrival we took them to Bondi Beach on the way home from the airport. Then after getting them settled in their flat across the hall from us we ate dinner and the drove to the Sea Cliff Bridge south of Sydney on the ocean. The weather was not that great. On Monday we drove 2 hours to Port Stephens on the northern coast of NSW. The day started out rainy but cleared up when we reached Port Stephens. We took a dolphin watching cruise on the bay, then ate dinner at the golf course and saw a kangaroo coming for his nightly feed.
On Tuesday we went to the Australian Reptile Park. That night we had tickets to see The Magic Flute at the Opera House. We rode the train in to Circular Quay.
On Wednesday we spent the day in Katoomba while Jay worked at the office. It was another rainy, foggy, overcast day. On Thursday the three girls spent the day at Manly Beach, downtown Sydney, the Sydney Tower and Paddy's Market - shopping, shopping and more shopping. We walked the bridge at night. It was beautiful.
Friday Jay joined us again and we went out to Alan Watson's house where they met his wife, Edna, who is an Aboriginal. Then we went to Koala Park. After Koala Park we took the ferry downtown to Darling Harbor and visited the Sydney Aquarium. That night we ate dinner at Canterbury Club, a unique gaming club in Las Vegas style.
On Saturday the girls went back to Sydney on the ferry to shop at The Rocks outdoor market and Paddy's. It was Peazza Joe's Pizza for dinner.
On Sunday we took them to church with us, then we drove the Sydney temple and our office. We then came home and ate dinner and went back into the city via the ferry visit and take pictures around Darling Harbor. Then it was back to the flats to pack the suitcases and make sure all the treasure fit.
Monday they left for home. We were very sad to see them go. We had a great time.

SUNDAY ARRIVAL BONDI BEACH, SEA CLIFF BRIDGE.
Lisa and Michelle on the day of their arrival on Bondi Beach.

Bondi Beach

Wild seas at the Sea Cliff Bridge.

Lisa at the Sea Cliff Bridge.

Michelle, Elizabeth, Lisa at the Sea Cliff Bridge.

Sea Cliff Bridge.

Elizabeth and Jay below the Sea Cliff Bridge.

View from highway towards the Sea Cliff Bridge.

MONDAY PORT STEPHENS, DOLPHIN CRUISE, DINNER AT GOLF COURSE.

Beautiful bay at Port Stephens.

Jay and Elizabeth on the boat.

Port Stephens harbor.

Girls boarding the boat for the dolphin cruise.

Lisa ready for the cruise in her new Aussie hat.

Michelle waiting for the dolphin cruise in Port Stephens.

DINNER ON THE GOLF COURSE.
div> Eating at the golf club at Port Stephens.

Sharing Sticky Date Pudding - a favorite dessert.

Kangaroo on the golf course at Port Stephens.

Kangaroo

Jay and his girls on the golf course at Port Stephens.

Kookaburra up close.

TUESDAY AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PARK AND SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE. Entrance to Australian Reptile Park.

Giant turtle up close and personal.

Watch out for that croc.

Picture with the koalas.

Unique koala feet.

Mother koala and baby.

Elizabeth feeding the kangaroo.

Tasmanian devil at the Australian Reptile Park.

Michelle and Lisa and the Frilly Lizard.

Jay feeding the kangaroo at the Reptile Park.

Michelle was not sure about that kangaroo.

Lisa feeding the kangaroo.

Australian Reptile Park

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA.

Jay and Michelle on the train going to the Opera.

Lisa and Elizabeth on the train going to the Opera.

Lisa and Michelle and the Sydney Harbor Bridge the night of the Opera.

Michelle and Lisa at Circular Quay the night of the Opera.

WEDNESDAY KATOOMBA

Katoomba Sky Ride.

Katoomba Sky Ride

Michelle and Elizabeth in the rain forest.

Michelle and her friend.

Lisa found a friend in Katoomba.

Blue Mountains.

Michelle and Lisa at Scenic World in Katoomba.

THURSDAY MANLY BEACH, DOWNTOWN SYDNEY, SHOPPING, SYDNEY TOWER, WALKING THE BRIDGE AT NIGHT.
Riding the Ferry.

Lisa on the ferry with city in the background.

Michelle on the ferry.

Lisa and Michelle with the bridge in the background.

Lisa on Manly Beach.

Tanning the legs on the Manly ferry.

Manly Beach.

Lisa and Michelle on Manly Beach.

Sydney Tower.

One of many views from Sydney Tower.

Opera House from the bridge at night.

Sydney skyline from the bridge at nigh

Calling Jay from the phone booth at The Rocks.

FRIDAY ALAN WATSONS, KOALA PARK, SYDNEY AQUARIUM, CANTERBURY CLUB
KOALA PARK

WATSONS

Lisa and Edna Watson, an Aborigianl artist.

KOALA PARK

A favorite.

Michelle with a koala.

At Koala Park.

Feeding the kangaroo.

SYDNEY AQUARIUM

Penguins at the Aquarium.

Beautiful fish.

"Mermaids" at the Aquarium.

Dunong - The original mermaid.

SATURDAY RIDING THE FERRY AGAIN TO THE CITY, CIRCULAR QUAY, THE ROCKS, MORE SHOPPING
Michelle and Lisa riding the ferry to Sydney from Rydalmere.

Circular Quay and the Didge player.

The Rocks.

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SHOPPING AT THE ROCKS.
They did a lot of shopping.

Lisa and her bags at the ferry.

At Canterbury for dinner.

SUNDAY CHURCH, TEMPLE FOR PICTURES, BACK TO THE CITY, DARLING HARBOR, QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING
Elder and Sister Oldroyd at their office.

Lisa and Michelle at the Sydney temple.

Elder and Sister Oldroyd a the entrance to the temple.

In their car.
BACK TO THE CITY

Michelle and Lisa found a stray at the Sydney Wildlife World.

DARLING HARBOR

Michelle and Lisa at Darling Harbor.

Darling Harbor.

Boardwalk at Darling Harbor

Fountain and bird sculptures at Darling Harbor.

Ibis.

Jay and Elizabeth on the Monorail.

QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING
Queen Victoria Building.

Cradle Mountain, Grindelwald, Tasmania

2009-02-13T16:13:00.004+11:00

On Friday we had our last Zone Conference. Saturday we drove to Cradle Mountain and on to Launceston where we would fly home to Sydney on Sunday. It was a long day's drive through beautiful country and mountains of Tasmania. We liked the road signs, the beauty of foliage. Nelson Falls was a spectacular side trip of 15 minutes.
We spent the night in Grindelwald, Tasmania, 15 minutes from Launceston in a Swiss Village, reminicent of Switzerland. The cabin was rustic, supposedly new, but quite poorly constructed. A kangaroo could have come in through the crack in the door.
Upon our arrival back in Sydney our good friends, the Warbys had decorated the door of our flat and our office door. We loved it and were glad to be home.
Cradle Mountain, Lake St. Clair
Nelson Falls.

Cradle Mountain Lodge.
Cradle Mountain Lodge.
Speed sign along the way.

Grindlewald, Tasmania
Grindelwald, hotel where we spent our last night before flying home to Sydney.
Office Greeting
Flat greeting.

2009-02-13T16:00:00.003+11:00

After the Zone Conference in Melbourne on Wednesday we flew with the Lees to Hobart for the Zone Conference there. When we arrived it was late in the evening. They had booked us into a smoking room. I requested a change. The only rooms they had available were on the top floor, one of the suites. It was some room with a sitting room, large conference table, huge bathroom with big tub and separate room with shower, toilet, two sinks,etc. The view of the harbour was fantastic. On Thursday President Lee conducted interviews all day so we had a day off to see Hobart. We drove to the top of Mt. Wellington, then to Port Arthur where the main convict prison was in the early days of the colony.

View of harbour from our hotel room.
Sunrise over Derwent River in Hobart.
Night view of harbour from hotel room.
Grand Chancellor Hotel. Our room was on the top left the last two windows. It was a fantastic suite.
View of Hobart from Mt. Wellington.
Convict and Jay.
Visitors Center At Port Arthur.

Main Penitentery.

Helicopter Views.

2009-02-13T15:20:00.003+11:00

We took a 12 minute helicopter ride that took us over many of the formations along the Great Ocean Road including the Twelve Apostles, the Visitors Center, Port Campbell, London Bridge before heading to Melbourne where we had Zone Conferences scheduled the next day.
Twelve Apostles Visitors Center from the air.
Twelve apostles from the air.
London Bridge.
Port Campbell
Formation in the ocean.

Twelve Apostles Motel and Twelve Apostles.

2009-02-13T15:08:00.004+11:00

Early the next morning I got up to do my walk. I started out down the dirt road to the ocean. I decided to go all the way to the Twelve Apostles Park and take early morning pictures. It was 3 km down and back but I made it before Jay called the police. Just kidding.
Twelve Apostles Motel.

Our Room

Twelve Apostles at my morning walk. 3 km from the motel.

Twelve apostles later in the morning.

Sunrise.

Same formation later in the morning.

Melbourne West Zone Conferences

2009-02-13T14:47:00.004+11:00

We left Perth on Monday morning January 26 and flew to Melbourne. We rented a car and drove to the Twelve Apostles area of the Great Ocean Road where we had reservations for the night. After checking into the motel we visited a few of the scenic areas like Loch Ard which was a sailing ship in the late 1800's that shipwrecked along the coast here. We also visited Thunder Cave. Jay read a book as a young boy entitled Thunder Cave and wanted to see the area.
By this time the sun was setting so we viewed a specatcular sunset over the Great Ocean Road.

Loch Ard
Loch Ard
Thunder Cave
Thunder Cave
Thunder Cave. Sunset over the Great Ocean road.
Sunset.

Sunset.

Finally set.

Weekend in Perth

2009-02-10T16:22:00.003+11:00

We went to Church and then drove to the Pinnacles, a park north of Perth about 3 hours. It truly was an amazing area. I took pictures of how the Pinnacles were formed. I hope you can read it. The shapes looked like people, some looked like a nativity scene, some looked like figures from Star Wars. You could almost feel a spirit about the place as you looked at these forms that seemed to take on a life of their own.
Pinnacle story #1
Pinnacle Story #2 Pinnacle Story #3

Weekend in Perth.

2009-02-10T15:42:00.007+11:00

Okay. So I don't seem to be able to limit my pictures. On Saturday we took a cruise to Rottnest Island, a favorite vacation spot for Western Australians. In fact it is so popular now you have to submit your name and it is decided by lottery who can get rooms on the Island. We travelled down the Swan River to Fremantle, then across the very rough Indian Ocean - 45 minutes. Upon arrival on the Island we took a bus tour which was included in our ticket and after that we had lunch at the Rottnest Lodge which was a buffet and very good. Jay had a headache after lunch so he rested in the lobby while I went in search of good bargains. There was not a lot. It was very hot and I wished I could have gotten in the water. The water surrounding the Island is unbelievably beautiful, shades of turquoise blue and green everywhere you look. These pictures try to do it justice and some do a good job.
Our boat.
Perth skyline from the Swan River.
One of the ferries going to Rottnest Island.
Maritime Museum at Fremantle.
Freighters waiting to get to the port at Fremantle.
Map of Island held by our bus driver and guide.
Lighthouse on Rottnest Island
Lots of boats in the harbors along with a dolphin.
Elizabeth and Jay on Rottnest Island. Dolphin inside sharks net on the beach.
Tons of people on the beaches
Beautiful water.
Indian Ocean
Huge bird's nest.
Skink. Large lizard found all over Island.
Cove at Rottnest Island
Turquoise blue, green water with great waves.
Funny marsupials, Quokas, on the Island.
Lunch at the Rottnest Lodge around the pool.
Headache Jay. Shopping. Obviously recovered from his headache.
At the anchor before boarding the boat for Perth.

Weekend in Perth.

2009-02-10T15:24:00.004+11:00

Zone Conferences were held Wednesday and Thursday. We thought there would be a conference on Friday in Bunbery but that was changed at the last minute so we had Friday free. We rented a car, then drove to Wave Rock, near the town of Hyden, out in the desert almost four hours from Perth.
It was hot but worth the drive.
Lunch at Stumpy's.
Dog cemetary in Corrigin.

Wave Rock

Size Comparison.
Iron sculptures in Hyden depicting history of the town.
More Iron sculptures.

Perth Zone Conferences

2009-02-10T14:24:00.007+11:00

We flew from Sydney to Perth nonstop. That is like flying from New York to Los Angeles. Upon our arrival we were met by the office couple, the Jensens from SLC. They took us to downtown Perth where we rode the giant Ferris Wheel, and went to the top of Swan Bells Tower, a landmark in the city. These bells ring on the hour and were a gift from Scotland, I believe. There are twelve bells. This day we were able to see how the bells ring and even practice ringing them. The view from the top is very good.
The Jensens took us to dinner in the ocean suburb of Scarbrough. We had fish and chips - not good for the diet. The beaches were beautiful. Then they delivered us to the mission home. We arrived about the the same time as President and Sister Maurer who had been at a zone conference in Bunbery.
Beaches at Scarbourgh
Beaches at Scarbourgh
Perth Mission Home.
Perth Mission Home.
Perth Mission home. Family room
Perth Mission home. Swimming pool
Perth Mission Home. Family Room.
Perth Mission Home. Dining room.
Perth Mission Home. Living room.
Sister Maurer in the kitchen at the mission home.
The Maurer Family and Elizabeth and Jay at dinner at a very good Thai restaurant.
Sunrise over the Swan River. Perth.
Swan River Bridge, Kings Park in background.
A "kangaroo" drinking in downtown Perth. Picture taken on my early morning walk.
Swan Bell Tower. The Swan Bells is one of the world's largest musical instruments and includes the twelve bells of St.Martin-in-the fields which have been ringing there well before the 15th century.
Swan Bell Tower. Great view from the top.
Ringing the bells.
Swan Bells Tower.
Ferris wheel from Swan Bells Tower,
Elizabeth and Sister Jensen on the Ferris Wheel.
Giant Ferris Wheel in downtown Perth by the Swan River.
Perth skyline.

Saturday in Sydney

2009-01-12T16:06:00.007+11:00

We saw a picture of an interesting boat on the television earlier in the week and decided to go see it. We had a hard time locating it but finally came upon it at Darling Harbour almost by mistake. It is very unique and looks like it should be in a James Bond movie. It holds 6 crew members taking shifts, 2 who drive and navigate and 4 who sleep. There is no room inside to do anything but sleep or drive or navigate. I would hate to spend 10 minutes inside this boat let alone 60 hours!!
Darling Harbour.

Monorail at Darling Harbour.
Earthrace power boat went around the world in 60 days, 23 hours, 49 minutes beating the world record. It is powered completely with biofeul.
Captain Pete. He had lyposuction as a stunt to promote the use of fat as the biodiesel (vegetable oil or the like) for this power boat.

Earthrace power boat, crew member sitting on side.
Earthrace power boat.
Earthrace power boat.
Classic picture of bridge and opera house taken from the Darling Harbour ferry.
All painted up and playing the didgeridoo.
Try getting into a box this size.
Sydney Opera House from Wharf 5 on Circular Quay.

2009-01-08T13:05:00.005+11:00

We did not go downtown to watch the Sydney Fireworks this year. It is just too big of a hastle to get there. You have to stake out your spot by at least 4 pm and then wait in the heat until midnight for the show. We stayed at the flats, ate pot luck, played games and watched a movie before midnight. Then we watched the fireworks display on the TV. It was way better; the views were spectacular. I have downloaded some of the pictures and placed them on our blog. Enjoy!!
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Sydney South Christmas Zone Conference

2008-12-18T09:59:00.009+11:00

You all have to realize that missionaries do some really silly things. One of those things is eating TimTams by sucking milk through them. TimTams are a favorite Australian biscuit or cookie that comes in different flavors. Basically it is a cookie covered with milk chocolate with a filling of either caramel, mint, chocolate, etc. Some senior missionaries have been known to take suitcases full of TimTams home with them. Not this senior couple!

The elder on the right had a TimTam eating contest for his talent. The elder on the left is one of the assistants to President McMaster. Note how they suck the milk up through the TimTam.
Eating TimTams

Aussie 12 Days of Christmas

On the Twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Twelve possums playing,
Eleven lizards leaping,
Ten wombats washing,
Nine crocs a-snoozing?
Eight dingos dancing,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a=surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skiis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.
Aussie Elders sing Aussie version of 12 Days of Christmas.

AUSSIE JINGLE BELLS

Dashing through the bush
In a rusty Holden Ute
Kicking up the dust
Esky in the boot
Kelpie by my side
Singing Christmas songs
It’s summer time and I am in
My singlet, shorts and thongs.

CHORUS:
OH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
ON A SCORCHING SUMMER’S DAY
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTE.

Engine’s getting hot
Dodge the kangaroos
Swaggy climbs aboard
He is welcome too
All the family is there
Sitting by the pool
Christmas day, the Aussie way
By the barbeque.

CHORUS

Come the afternoon
Grandpa has a doze
The kids and Uncle Bruce
Are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go
We take a family snap
Then pack the car all shoot through
Before the washing up.

CHORUS
Aussie Elders sing Aussie version of Jingle Bells.

Sydney South Mission Christmas Zone Conference

2008-12-17T16:08:00.004+11:00

The first Zone Conference was held in Mortdale. We both forgot our cameras. These pictures were taken at the second Zone Conference in Cambelltown. They have a big, beautiful stake center, just like our stake center in Round Rock, same plan.
The main meal was chicken quarteres, baked white and sweet potatoes, corn, carrots, rolls and salads.
Pavlova - a very sweet, delicious Australian dessert served at Christmas time. It is made of a meringue shell with whipped cream in the center, decorated with fresh fruit.
Passion fruit cake, chocolate cake filled with whipped cream, brownies and fresh strawberriey, more chocolate cake with cream, fresh fruit. The man walking toward the camera is the President Tupuo, the Stake President. He runs a catering company and they did the desserts.
Brownies and fresh strawberries. Creme filled cakes.
Trifle - layers of custard, gelatin, fresh fruits, creme.
Creme filled chocolate cake next to the fresh fruit display.

Sea Cliff Bridge

2008-12-03T12:36:00.004+11:00

On Sunday 30 November we took a Sunday afternoon drive through the Royal National Park and then on the Sea Cliff Bridge. These pictures were shot as we walked across the bridge and enjoyed the warm, sunny weather with no flies. The color of the ocean was beautiful and the sky was almost cloudless.
View of bridge from top of hill.
Sea Cliff Bridge
Elizabeth on Sea Cliff Bridge.
Sea Cliff Bridge.
Sea Cliff Bridge going towards Sydney.
Rocky beach below the bridge.
Rocky shoreline, bridge
More rocky beach.
Note designs in rock.

Mission President's Seminar.

2008-11-28T13:55:00.012+11:00

We left Sydney on November 12th for Auckland, New Zealand. The Mission President's Seminar was held in Takapuna, a very nice, up-scale suburb of Auckland. We flew Air New Zealand. The flight is 3 hours and very nice. We happened to be on the same flight as President and Sister Quinn from Adelaide.
Upon arrival we were met by a corporate cab driver and taken to the hotel, the Spencer on Byron. Our room was on the 10th floor overlooking the bay and Rangitoto, a very large volcanic island.
Auckland skyline and harbor.
Auckland skyline.
Spencer on Byron hotel.
View from our room on the 10th floor of hotel.

That evening we had dinner at a Thai restaurant with old friends from Sydney. With the consolidation of the areas, the Clarks, Public Affairs, the Nallys, In field Representative, and the McLaughlins, Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency, were all transferred to New Zealand. Elder and Sister Bartholomew were spending the last two weeks of their mission at the Area Office in Takapuna training their successors who will now be stationed in New Zealand.
Dinner with good friends.

After dinner we went to the Clarks apartment for ice cream. They live in a very upscale place, far different from what we live in here in Sydney. In case you think I was obsessed with their apartment, you are right. I took a lot of pictures, but will only share a few of them with you. Just to describe their place, penthouse on top floor overlooking the beach, with swimming pool and beach access, next door to the Area Presidency's apartments. They have a kitchen with granite counter tops, dishwasher, garbage disposal, two bathrooms with two sinks in each, tub and shower in one; shower, bidet in the other one, a half bath with sink and toilet, a large bedroom with walk in closet; a spare bedroom with wall to wall closet and acts as an office and guest room; a large living-dining room.

Before eating ice cream we got the royal tour of their digs including the beach. This picture was taken on the beach access.
Clarks, Elizabeth, Bartholomews.

Clarks apartment, top floor, second from left.
Clarks kitchen. Living room in Clarks apartment. Kaye Nally, Elizabeth in Clarks' living room.
View from Clarks apartment of beach and Rangitoto, an inactive volcanic island.
Swimming pool at Clarks' apartment.

The Area Presidency lives in a group of apartments adjacent to the Clarks'.

Area Presidency Apartments.

Each morning I would get up and exercise on the beach. These are a couple of pictures I took one morning. Ranitoto is a very large volcanic island out in the bay and is very prominent from most vantage points.
Rangitoto at sunrise.
A walk on the beach.

The Seminar took place all day Thursday, Friday morning, and Saturday morning. On Friday afternoon we all went to the Auckland Museum. The following pictures were taken there and are of some of the dignitaries that attended the seminar. Elder Cook, Elder Jensen and Elder Baxter did not attend. They had meetings.
Auckland Museum.

Elder and Sister Hilbig
Elder Hilbig, Jay
Elder and Sister Callister.
Lon and Kaye Nally
Our favorite mission president and his wife. President and Sister Lee, from Adelaide, serving in the Melbourne West Mission.
Jay and Elizabeth at Auckland Museum.
Maori Masks in Auckland Museum.
Maori Dancers.
Maori carving at Museum.
Winter Gardens on grounds of Auckland Museum.
Beautiful flowers in the Winter Garden on the Auckland Museum grounds.

The Area Offices in New Zealand are very nice. The outside looks like an ordinary office building but the inside is very nice. The Auckland New Zealand Mission offices are on the first floor but rumor has it they will soon be moving into their own place near by.
Area Offices in New Zealand - Takapuna.
Administration Office name plate.

Nashville Tribute Band

2008-10-09T19:43:00.006+11:00

The Nashville Tribute Band joined us for Family Home Evening. We had a pot luck dinner as a farewell for the Van Asperens who will be returning to Brisbane because the MOC (Microfilm department) is closing due to the consolidation. They have a daughter, Debbie, who has Downs Syndrome but functions very well. She is in her early 20's. During dinner I was able to talk with Kimberly Smith who is a second great granddaughter of Joseph and Emma and made the trip with the Kennedys and the band along with her son, who was the first descendant of Joseph and Emmma to take out his endowments prior to his mission in the Nauvoo Temple. The band performed for our program and the music and testimonies were touching. I have included a couple of their songs in the blog. I hope you enjoy them.

Jason Deere's song about Emma Smith.
Kimberly Smith and her son.
The band performing.

Jason Deere.

Band members. Jason Deere, song writer and singer (without a guitar).
Ron Saltmarsh.
Elizabeth and Bishop Dixon from Florida. He helped fund the group.
Farewell to the Van Asperens. They will be returning to Brisbane. They live across the hall from us.
Members of the band.

Green Cathedral - Forster

2008-10-09T19:35:00.004+11:00

Welcome to the Green Cathedral.
The Green Cathedral. Community of Christ Church.

Jay "preaching" from the pulpit.
The beach at the Green Cathedral

Forster Film Festival

2008-10-09T18:49:00.005+11:00

Thirty-seven direct Australian descendants of Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gathered in Sydney over Australia’s Father’s Day weekend (September 2-4) to honour their famous forefather in a celebration of his birth 200 years ago. Five of their American cousins also attended the reunion. They were Michael Kennedy and his wife Darcy, their son Mike and his wife Meagan and Michael Kennedy’s mother Virginia.
Mr. Kennedy, the President of the Joseph Smith Junior Family Organization, contacted Lionel and Marianne Walters, volunteer public affairs representatives for the Church in Australia. They formed a local reunion committee to plan and implement the event. Robyn Mah, the great, great, great granddaughter of Joseph and Emma Smith, became the co-chair of the committee. She quickly helped to involve the other Australian cousins in this historic reunion. Robyn’s family line descends through Joseph and Emma’s son, Alexander Hale Smith. Alexander’s daughter, Ina Inez Smith, married an Australian, Sidney Garden Wright. They immigrated to Australia, had ten children and were pioneers in the Forster/Tuncurry area of New South Wales.
Some of the committee members travelled to the Forster/Tuncurry area of New South Wales to meet with family members. Here they met Robyn’s mother June Wright, who is the wife of Max Wright, a direct descendant of Joseph Smith. June has kept marvellous records of the family and this made it possible to blend what the Joseph Smith Junior Family Organization already had in order to compile a more accurate genealogical record.
We were in Melbourne for the showing of Emma and performance of the Nashville Tribute Band so we travelled to Forster on the long weekend to take part in the film festival and band performance.
We are not real country music fans but the music was compelling as it was centered around the prophet, Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma.
We enjoyed meeting Michael Kennedy who produced the movie and his wife and son. We enjoyed the film. It made us appreciate Emma's struggles so much more. The actress who played Julia in the film was also with the group.
On Sunday morning we all attended the Community of Christ church in Tuncurry. Tuncurry is located across the bridge from Forster. There were 12 members of the congregation in attendance and 8 members of the LDS Church. Brian Entwhistle, the assistant pastor, gave a short sermon. Two women blessed and passed the Sacrament. The meeting lasted one hour.
Nashville Tribute Band.
Clint Warby doing his Public Affairs thing.
Forster Film Festival venue. Movie was shown in red brick building at the base of the harbour control tower.
Country singer with the group.
Black bird competition with the band.
Brian Entwhistle, assistant pastor, Jay
Michael and Darcy Kennedy, 3rd Great Grandson of Joseph Smith and President of the Joseph Smith Junior Family Organization.
Brother Bailey, new Sydney Temple President, Jay, Michael Kennedy, Clint Warby, Brother Brown.
Brother Bailey's car. Very cool. Even the seats and steering wheel are color coordinated. He is the 2nd richest member of the Church in Australia.
Michael Kennedy's name tag.
Oldroyds and Warbys at the Community of Christ church in Tuncurry (Forster).
Symbol of the church.

Congregation and visitors outside the church.

Port Macquarie

2008-10-09T10:45:00.010+11:00

After 8 days in the Melbourne West Mission for Zone Conferences, we returned to Sydney for a day, then took off for the long holiday weekend (I don't remember what holiday it is, only that we have Monday off). Most senior couples who could, left on Friday and went somewhere. The senior sisters, Warbys and Oldroyds headed north. We went to Port Macquarie and met Warbys there on Saturday. They went to Newcastle on Friday.
Port Macquarie is a resort town on the coast of NSW. It is a delightful town with lots of restaurants and beaches. Early on Saturday morning I was up and out taking pictures of some of the beach areas as I did my walk-run.
Later in the morning we drove to Timbertown Heritage Park which is an old restored timber town, with a steam train complete with a train robbery, authentic houses, carriage rides, paddle boats on the lake, oxen, jailhouse, general store, old school house, etc.
On the way back we stopped at a house selling outdoor Christmas decorations cut out of wood. One of the popular Aussie Christmas songs is Six White Boomers (kangaroos)so we had to take a picture of Santa's sleigh being pulled by white boomers. Then we visited the Koala Reserve. We just can't get enough of those cute, cuddly koala bears. At the Koala Reserve when Jay went to pick up his camera off the seat of the car, he found it missing. He thought he left it at Timbertown on the picnic bench when we ate lunch. We drove back and it was gone. For the rest of the afternoon and evening he felt really bad. However, the next morning, when he went to get his shoes out of the car he found it on the floor of back seat under the front seat. He was very happy. Missionary Blessings.
Beaches at Port Macquarie
More beach views.
Beach
More beach and camping sites.
Timbertown.
Mighty big tree.
Train Station.
Steam Engine.
Train robbery.
At the train station. L-R Sister Wooley, Sister McKnight, Sister McLaughlin, Back row - Guess who?
School.
General Store in Timbertown.
Timbertown oxen.
Carriage rides.
Neat house in Timbertown.
Elizabeth in trouble again.
Jailbirds.
Six (actually 4) white boomers.
Elizabeth and Jay at Koala Reserve.
Wonderful Koalas. We can't get enough of them.

Elizabeth and Joyce Warby petting a koala. In NSW you are not allowed to hold a koala bear, only pet it. In Queensland you can hold them.

Koalas have two fingers and two thumbs.
Feeding a quill.
Beautiful bird.
Lovable Wallaby.
Feeding the spider monkeys.
Lizard and beautiful flowers.
A face only a mother could love.
Want a pet lizard?

Melbourne West Zone Conferences Part 1

2008-10-08T21:21:00.002+11:00

We left for Melbourne on September 23rd on Qantas. We have learned that if you want a free snack you fly Qantas. Jet Star and Virgin Blue, the discount airlines charge for food. The flight was uneventful. We were met at the gate by President and Sister Lee. They are delightful Australians from Adelaide. We really love them. We had a great time together. We stayed at the mission home two nights before flying to Hobart for the Zone Conference there. We attended two Zone Conferences in Melbourne before leaving for Hobart on the evening of the 25th. Jay talked at all of the Zone Conferences and I was asked to bear my testimony at three of the four. We love being with the young missionaries and feeling their spirits.
President and Sister Lee.
Melbourne West Mission Home.
Merribee Chapel.

Melbourne West Zone Conferences Part 3

2008-10-08T20:14:00.008+11:00

President and Sister Lee took a P-Day on Saturday after the Zone Conference on Friday. We all went to Ross and Richmond, two old towns in Tasmania that have very old bridges and quaint buildings. We had wonderful goodies from the bakery in Ross - carrot cake, vanilla slice, meat pies and quiche. In Richmond we took pictures of the old bridge with the view of the old Catholic church as seen through the arches of the bridge. The Church is the oldest Catholic church in Australia.
St. Johns School 1847
St. Johns School.
Ross Bridge.
Hobart sign on Ross Bridge.
Cool car.
Jay at Ross Bakery.
Ross Bakery.
Sales lady in Bakery.
Beautiful bush in bloom.
Ross Church.

Richmond Bridge with Catholic Church in background.
Richmond Bridge reflection.
Richmond Bridge from the church.
Oldest Catholic Church in Australia.
Elizabeth and Jay at the Richmond Bridge.

Melbourne West Zone Conferences Part 2

2008-10-08T19:00:00.021+11:00

We flew to Hobart with President and Sister Lee on Thursday night September 25th. We stayed at the Salamanca Inn, a quiet nice hotel just off Salamanca Place where the Saturday Market is held. On Friday we attended the Zone Conference, then drove with the Lees to the top of Mt. Wellington. It was snowing when we got there. Afterwards we shopped for grandchildren's birthday presents, then went to dinner with the doctor in Hobart who takes care of the missionaries. His wife is a member; he is not.
Saturday morning we went to the Market. I met the Romneys first thing. She is the sister of my firt boyfriend, the one I left behind when we came to Australia. He was a missionary here while I was here. We had a great time reminising. On Sunday we spent two hours during Sunday School and Relief Society catching up 50 years.
We said farewell to the Lees after church. That afternoon we drove to Port Arthur, the convict settlement in Tasmania. It was too late to see anything when we got there but the drive was beautiful even though it rained most of the way down and back.
Monday morning I went on my run to Government House to take a picture. I decided to cut across the field and take the picture rather than walk up the hill to the main entrance. As I skirted the fence line I saw an opened gate so I went in and took pictures from every angle of the house. As I was taking my last photo in the front of the fountain and flowers, the guard, who was sitting in his car, spotted me and came up to me, told me I was trespassing and kicked me out.
You can see him coming towards me in the photo below.
We checked out of our hotel and drove to Launceston. That afternoon we visited the Platypus House, an hour north of Launceston at Beauty Point. Be sure and watch the Echidnas movies. They are really funny. Watch how they eat with their tongues.
Tasman Arch, Port Arthur, Tasmania.
Blow Hole, Port Arthur, Tasmania
Beautiful Sky on the road to Port Arthur.
Hobart Bridge over Derwent River.
Hobart Stake Center.
Huon Pine Table in High Council room at Hobart Stake Center.
Solid Huon Pine Table worth $50,000.
Mt. Wellington with snow.
Mt. Wellington on a warm day.
Top of Mt. Wellington
Government House, Hobart.
Government House. Note guard coming around the corner. He kicked me off the property.
Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart.
Rosny Chapel from the bridge
Hobart Harbour.
Visiting with Marian Ridges Romney and Sister Prebble, Stake President's wife at church on Sunday.
Eating Ice cream.
Dr. and Sister Sutherland.
President and Sister Lee eating Ice cream.
Marian Romney, Elizabeth, Miles Romney.
Salamanca Inn
Platypus.
Platypus House, Beauty Point, Tasmania
Echidnas.

Melbourne West Zone Conferences Part 4

2008-10-08T18:21:00.009+11:00

Launceston is a beautiful city in the northern part of Tasmania. It is located on a river that empties into the sea between Australia and Tasmania. It is most noted for the Cataract Gorge that is easily accessible from the city. There is a big church on almost every corner of the town. The buildings are very old and beautiful. We spent the night at the Hotel Grand Chancelor, having gotten a great rate that included the buffet breakfast. We ate way too much. We visited the beautiful city park close to the hotel and saw the monkeys. Before we drove the hour to Devonport we took time to visit the Gorge. On the way to Devonport we drove through the village of Grindelwald, named after Grindelwald, Switzerland. It really is nothing more than a resort area in the mountains outside of Launceston with a golf course and Swiss style buildings.
We took the Spirit of Tasmania to Melbourne, reliving for me the trip I took with my father 50 years ago when we moved to Tasmania. We took the boat ride then. The ship has changed dramatically in 50 years. Now it is the size of a small cruise ship. It stills acts as a car ferry. Many people drove their cars onboard so that they would have them when they reached Melbourne. It takes overnight to get to Melbourne. The crossing was uneventful. We had a nice dinner, then saw the movie, Mad Money, before retiring. The sea was getting a bit rocky at 11 pm but we fell asleep and didn't notice a bump until morning. We docked at 7 am, took a taxi to the airport and waited until noon to board our flight to Sydney. Oddly enough, it didn't cost any more to take the ship and fly from Melbourne than it would have to fly from Hobart to Sydney.
Gorge from Kings Bridge.
Cataract Gorge.
City Park, Launceston
Monkeys in City Park.
Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston.
Beautiful church near Hotel Grand Chancellor.
Chairlift beginning.
Chairlift Cataract Gorge.
View from the Chairlift.
Bridge over Gorge.
Gorge Views.
Bridge in Cataract Gorge, Launceston, Tasmania.
Entrance to Grindelwald.
New boyfriend. Grindelwald, Tasmania.
Alpine horns.
Luncheon Specials.
Black swan.
Painting on shop.
Restaurant.
Wood carving.
Spirit of Tasmania in Devonport, Tasmania
Melbourne skyline from Spirit of Tasmania.
Spirit of Tasmania docked in Melbourne.
Sydney Airport

A Weekend Down Memory Lane

2008-09-18T15:10:00.007+10:00

My weekend began as a boarded a JetStar flight for Hobart. Sister Zannie Symmons picked me up at the airport. We drove to her home which is 10 minutes from the Hobart airport, unloaded my luggage, then went on a tour of Hobart and the place we lived, where I worked for a short time and the Saturday Market.
We drove around the harbor and the city, then went to the Chapel where they were having an open house for the 50th year celebration of the dedication of the building. They had displays set up in the chapel, with pictures of the ground breaking, the construction in various stages and newspaper articles reporting on the progress of the building. There were pictures of my family and a lot of people that I met going into the building commented, "We have seen your picture." Actually any resemblance of the person in that picture and me is purely a coincidence.
After touring the building we returned to the Symmons' home for a rest before leaving for the evening program.
I had been asked to speak during the half hour program before the activities. The bishop gave a short introduction, then Murray Docking spoke of my father and how, on the first day of construction he arrived and said to the workers who were milling around, "Com'on guys, no parties." That became the theme for the next 8 months. It took 8 months to complete the building which was a miracle with volunteer labor. I spoke, then the member of the city council of Clarence, Alderman Jones, spoke. He said that the church had always been a light on the hill to the residents who lived in the area. It is located on a hill overlooking Hobart and the bay. The Stake President, President Prebble was the concluding speaker. The program lasted 35 minutes and the rest of the evening was devoted to dancing and a talent show with light refreshments at the end.
The next morning I attended church there with the Symmmons and later on in the afternoon I flew back to Sydney. It was a great weekend for me.
Zannie Symmons at the market in Hobart.
Symmons' home in Hobart.
Gormanston Street, Moonah where we lived.
Typical house on Gormanston Street in Moonah
Office building where I worked at Social Services.
Hobart, Tasmania.
Boats in the harbor in Hobart
View from the Relief Society Room windows.
Another view of Hobart from Rosny Hill Chapel.
Back of Rosny Hill Chapel.
Rosny Hill Church.
Front of the Rosny Hill Church.
The Allen Family.
Arthur Allen, ground breaking of Rosny Hill Chapel.
Arthur Allen looks on at laying of corner stone by President Simonsen, the mission president.
Larry makes the newspaper.

L-R: President Prebble, Alderman Jones, Bishop Read, Sister Oldroyd, Sister Lee, President Lee, Melbourne West Mission President.

Taronga Zoo Videos

2008-09-05T14:12:00.005+10:00

Taronga Zoo Videos

2008-09-05T13:45:00.005+10:00

Taronga Zoo

2008-09-05T10:25:00.016+10:00

A day at the Zoo. And what a day! It was a beautiful but cool day for the zoo so we dressed in layers. The ferry ride to the city was uneventful but we never tire of the scenery. We switched ferrys at Circular Quay and in 12-15 minutes we were at the zoo. The setting is on the harbour with beautiful vistas of the city, the bridge and the opera house at every point as we made our way upwards to the top. The animals are displayed in tasteful pens and the zoo itself is built on a hillside so you can either take the Sky Rail to the top and walk down, or walk to the lower entrance and walk up. The Sky Rail was not running when we first arrived so we did the lower entrance and made our way to the top. The seal exhibit and performing arena is new. We enjoyed the seal show and the elephant show.
Sydney from the ferry Saturday morning.

Sydney Harbour Bridge from the ferry on the way to Taronga Zoo.

Lazy seal.
Here I am.

Working for a living.
Beautiful waterfall.
Sydney from the seal pen.

Sleepy bear.
Baby and Mama Koala.
Koala pose.
Giraffes with Sydney skyline in background.
Wild turkey .

Seven presidents of seventies
Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.
Wise old grandpa.
Lions. Male is asleep. What else is new?
Tigers.

Jay and his new pet.
Stick insects make great pets, I am told.
Scary.
What a cutie.
I'll eat you for lunch.

Elephant show
Clever beasts.
Komodo dragon. A face only a mother could love.
Don't mess with me.
Komodo dragon looking for lunch.
Sky Rail with Sydney skyline in background.
Taronaga ferry picking us up.
The Sydney Opera House in the late afternoon.
Circular Quay. The old and the new. Notice the old church dwarfed by the skyscrapers.

Lindley Wedding and Trip to Melbourne.

2008-08-20T14:34:00.008+10:00

We were invited to Melbourne for the wedding of President and Sister Lindley's daughter. Kaye and Lon Nally rode with us. She is Sister Lindley's cousin. The wedding festivities were wonderful. We attended the endowment session in the temple on Thursday followed by a wonderful luncheon at the mission home. On Friday they were sealed and we were there for that. We were able to meet President and Sister Lee from the Melbourne West Mission for the first time. I was able to connect with a girl I had been good friends with when I lived here in 1956. The weekend was great until we hit a kangaroo on the way home. Fortunately no one but the kangaroo was hurt.
Lunch with the Nallys on the way to Melbourne.
Great diet for chocolate lovers
Chris Shelton, Robyn Lindley.
Robyn and Chris Shelton
Sister Lindley at the temple.
Nallys, President and Sister Lee of the Melbourne West Mission, Oldroyds.
Elizabeth and old time friend Judy Smith.
Wedding luncheon - Nallys.
Kitchen with the food. Tons of food.
Wedding cake
Reception
Sister Lindley at the reception.
Sister Oldroyd with Sister Lindley.
President Lindley at the reception.
Two of the Lindley's 8 children.
Fantastic double rainbow. Any gold at the end of this rainbow?
Complete rainbow.
Kangaroo damage.

Wentworth Falls

2008-08-01T11:52:00.009+10:00

On Saturday 26 July we hiked Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains National Park. It was predicted to be 0 degrees centigrade in the Blue Mountains in the morning. That was plenty cold for us. We tried to dress warmly with layers but somehow I was still cold. We started out at the top of the trail at 9 am and finished 4 hours and 45 minutes later. The scenery was beautiful.
It was a hard hike with many steps down, down, down, and of course what goes down has to go up so we had many steps up. There were three water falls along the way, the largest of which were the Wentworth Falls. After passing the Wentworth Falls we began the climb up. There were many, many steep steps cut out of the shear face of the rock with handrails. We would have had a hard time making it up those steps without walking sticks. They were about 16-24 inches steep. We would go up, up, up and then the trail would wind down again. This continued until we finally reached the Conservation Hut where we started. There were no rest rooms along the way which made us not want to drink anything.
We survived. My knee hurt for a few days but my legs did not bother me at all. Jay thought he had died. When we got home he had cramps in his upper legs into the evening. All week he has complained of sore muscles and swears he will never do it again.
The group with hats made by Sister Bartholomew for the occasion. And to keep our heads warm.
View of the valley as we started out.
Elizabeth on the walk down, down, down.
First set of falls. Not Wentworth. About 1 hour into the walk.

A lot of pictures were taken by all. Claudia Clark and Elizabeth shooting up a storm.
2nd set of falls - not Wentworth.
A view of the above falls and people below from the top.
Jay and Platte Clark bringing up the rear.
Wentworth Falls.
Wentworth Falls
Shear rock face around Wentworth Falls.
Wentworth Falls. Lower half.
Claudia Clark barefoot in Wentworth Falls. She is crazy.
Wentworth Falls.
Steps were carved out of the shear face of this rock which we had to climb up for a very long time.
Steps up, up, up, up. Very steep steps.
Jay climbing the stairs carved out of the rock face.
The group plugging along - 3 hours into the hike.
Beautiful vistas.
Blue Mountains National Park.
Blue Mountains National Park.

Milaa Milaa

2008-08-01T11:37:00.005+10:00

Sunday afternoon we took a quick drive to Milaa Milaa which has a 7 km drive and takes in three beautiful waterfalls. We ate lunch in a dive in Milaa Milaa, the only one in town,, then did the circuit to visit all three waterfalls.
Milaa Milaa
Elinjaa Falls
Jay and Bob Bakes at Elinjaa Falls.
Elizabeth - Elinjaa Falls
Milaa Falls
Elizabeth and Lurleen at Milaa Falls
Top of Milaa Falls
Zillie Falls

Cairns

2008-07-31T15:54:00.007+10:00

Our trip to Cairns began on Thursday 10 July 2008 with frustration at the airport. We could not print out our boarding passes for some reason which meant we had to stand in line forever behind a group of giggling teenage girls, who looked like they were from the US, waiting to check in with a less than competent airline employee who must have been new on the job. We flew Virgin Blue which is an airline similar to Southwest. The lines were very long. We finally got checked in and just made the flight even though we arrived two hours early for a domestic flight. The Bakes had no trouble printing out their boarding passes and breezed right through the check in line.
We arrived in Cairns and found the weather sunny and very pleasant. Our motel was a Comfort Inn but really not much better than a Motel 8 in the US. We were disappointed in the rooms. However, we perservered and had a great time inspite of it.
We checked in, then went for a walk along the Esplanade and the beach. Afterwards we drove to the church which wasn't all that far. Cairns is not a huge city as it is resort town so things are pretty compact.
That night we went out to dinner at a lousy Chinese restaurant - too expensive and not much food. We bought groceries for breakfasts, then retired for the night.
Look at the trunk of this tree.
Elizabeth and Lurleen Bakes.
In front of a big shell.

Every morning I got up early and went out on the Esplanade to walk and run. One morning I took my camera took the following pictures.
Pier in Cairns at sunrise.
Cairns Harbor at sunrise.
Hotels on bay at sunrise.
War Memorial Monument in Cairns.
Interesting sculptures in a swimming pool on the Esplanade in Cairns.

On Sunday we attended church at the branch in Cairns. Below are pictures taken there.
Cairns chapel.
Elder and Sister Oldroyd.
Elder and Sister Bakes.

Cairns

2008-07-31T12:04:00.008+10:00

On Friday we spent the day at Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef. The reef itself runs down the east coast of Australia almost to Brisbane. We opted to take the Green Island boat which offered a buffet lunch and a place to relax if we didn't want to spend the whole day on the island. They also provided a glass bottom boat tour of the reef in the immediate vicinity and a submersible sub trip if we didn't want to snorkel. I guess I could have snorkeled but no one else was doing it so I opted to take the glass bottom boat trip. That made the sea choppy so that the views from the glass bottom boat and submersible were cloudy. We tried to get pictures as best we could. What you see here is respresentative of what we took.
Some of the fish would attach themselves to the boat and ride to the reef. It was funny to see this. We were give ginger tablets before we left Cairns in case of sea sickness. Believe it or not, they really worked.
The boat with gift shop on pier in foreground.
Oldroyds on the boat.
Bob and Lurleen Bakes.
Having a good day. Is this look familiar to any of you? Lurleen and Elizabeth
Jay walking from boat to Green Island.
Pier to Green Island

Snorkeling on the reef. Not us.
Great Barrier Reef with Cairns in the background.
Green Island with reef.
On the beach.
Goofing off. Jay and Bob Bakes.
Coral Sea from Green Island.
Submersible sub.
Glass bottom boat.
Glass Bottom Boat
Inside the glass bottom boat.
Fish attached to glass bottom boat. Just holding on for the ride.
Coral and fish.
More fish.
Large angel fish.
More coral.
Very large fish.
More fish.
Bird on a nest on a buoy.
Bird with a nest on the buoy in the middle of the Coral Sea.
Ready for flight.
Leaving Green Island for Cairns.
The trip back was pretty choppy as the wind really picked up in the afternoon.

Kuranda

2008-07-31T11:33:00.006+10:00

As part of our tour of the RainforeStation spelling is correct, we visited their Australia Animal Sanctuary. The wallabys and kangaroos were roaming free and we could feed them. The koala bears were a favorite. We had our picture taken holding a koala bear and a two year old crocodile. However, they would not let us take pictures of them and we don't have a scanner to scan them in.
Feeding the wallabys.

Kangaroos.
Koalas. Can't get enough of these furry creatures.

Nice scratch.
Wombat feeding time.
Reptiles
Jack the Ripper.

Jack the Ripper

Kuranda

2008-07-31T10:24:00.006+10:00

At the RainforeStation they took us on a Dreamwalk. We watched an Aborigine dance which I videod. There was a group of American teenagers on a tour there and they got them up on stage to teach them how to do the dances. It was quite funny.
After the program they showed us how they use the spear to hunt for food and how to throw a boomerang. It is a lot harder than it looks. We were then instructed in the art of playing the didgeridoo.
Aborigines hunt with spears
Throwing a spear to kill a kangaroo.
They also use boomerange to hunt with. Elizabeth throwing a boomerang. It looks easier than it is.
Jay throwing a boomerang.
Playing the Didge.
Aborigine Program

Kuranda

2008-07-31T10:17:00.004+10:00

As part of our tour of the Rainforestation we took a ride through the rain forest in an Army duck. It was quite interesting to hear about the different plants, trees, creatures that live in the rain forest.
Army duck.
A group in the duck.
The road we entered the water from.
Our guide.
Duckies.

Kuranda

2008-07-31T09:57:00.010+10:00

We spent Saturday in Kuranda a town in the rainforest in the mountains above Cairns. We took the scenic railway up the mountain, about a 2 hour trip, then spent another 3 hours or so in the town shopping and at the Rainforestation where we had lunch, were entertained by the Aboriginal dancers, visited the animal sanctuary, and went on a "Dreamwalk" with our Aboriginal guides.
The scenery was beautiful on the way up. We were able to see the Barron Falls which, in a rainy season, is spectacular. There was not much water being released from the dam on this day so they weren't that great.
We took the Skytram back to Cairns. It is supposed to be the longest Skytram in the world with over 30 towers to pass through. Corey would have freaked out.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Scenic train arriving at the station in Cairns.
Elizabeth waiting to board the train.
View of the valley from the train.
Train
View of the engines.
Lower falls on the trip to Kuranda.
Upper falls.
Barron Falls.
Barron Falls.
High in the sky.
Over the Rain Forest.
View of Cairns.
Bob and Jay in the SkyTram.
SkyTram Station

Port Douglas

2008-07-31T09:36:00.007+10:00

Monday morning we took the Bakes to the airport for a sad farewell. We have had many months making memories with this wonderful couple. Bob's office was right next door to ours; we lived right next door in the flats. We spent many weekends going to dinner, enjoying the movies, and taking short trips. It was wonderful and we miss them a lot.
After checking out of our motel we drove up the ocean road to Port Douglas. It is a resort town on the Coral Sea with many plush hotels and motels. The day was sunny and warm and we enjoyed the northern beaches of Cairns and the beauty of Port Douglas.
Sugar Cane
Ocean Road view.
Ocean Road from Cairns to Port Douglas.

Coral Sea
Northern Beaches north of Cairns.
Beach on the Ocean Road.
Port Douglas
Jay on the beach in Port Douglas.
Beach in Port Douglas.
Port Douglas

Hotel in downtown Port Douglas.
Port Douglas Beach

Cairns to Ingham

2008-07-30T16:33:00.008+10:00

After leaving Port Douglas we drove back to Cairns and then took the inland route to the Atherton tablelands. The scenery was totally different; with mountains and rain forest foliage. We stopped in Yungaburra to see the curtain fig tree. It was truly amazing. Then we drove down towards Ingham, passing many sugar cane fields and banana plantations. The landscape on the way to Port Douglas was also dotted with sugar cane fields.
Atherton Tablelands
Banana plants.
Very funny ad for a winery.
Curtain Fig Tree in Yungaburra near Atherton.

Ingham

2008-07-30T16:24:00.005+10:00

Tuesday dawned rainy and overcast. We talked to the man at the reception desk and he said that we could try to go to Wallaman Falls as it might be clear above the clouds. We had nothing else to do so we decided to go for it.
The drive was long, 18 km and muddy and slippery. Parts of the road after we got into the mountains was dirt which was muddy because of the rain. We saw wild turkeys with red heads and a large Cassawary on the road up to the falls. A Cassawary is a very large quite ugly bird that is very dangerous and mean. It crossed the road ahead of us and was gone before I could take a picture.
The falls were a disappointment as we could hear them but could see nothing but fog and clouds. We waited in the rain for awhile in hopes that the storm would move out but it did not so we returned to Ingham and settled for the Information Center.
We also found out that Lucinda had no Internet or cell phone coverage. Nice! So we spent as much time as we could in Ingham.
The main industry in this area is sugar cane and Ingham has one of the largest processing factories in the area.
Jay at Wallaman Falls
Jay and Elizabeth with the falls in the background. We know that because we could hear them; we could not see them.
Wallaman gorge.
The drive from Ingham to the falls.
Getting closer to the falls.

Sugar cane factory in Ingham
Sugar cane trains.
Train signs.
Sugar cane fields
Sugar cane just outside of Cairns.

Lucinda

2008-07-30T16:16:00.007+10:00

Our goal on Monday night was to make it to Lucinda, just outside of Ingham where we had reservatons for two nights. We found that it had taken us slightly longer than we planned to drive to Port Douglas and then through the Tablelands, back to the coast road to Ingham. We stopped in Innisvale and asked a real estate office if we could call the motel in Lucinda and let them know that we would be late. We also needed directions to the motel because TomTom could not pick it up. Well, the girl in the office was very nice and we got a hold of the reception desk at the motel and the girl gave us general directions that went like this:"Get off the highway at the green sign and follow the signs to Lucinda. You will cross a bridge, turn left, then right, follow the road a ways, you will come to a pub, turn left go to the end of the road and the is where we are."
It was dark by the time we turned off the main highway. We crossed two or three bridges not knowing which one was "the bridge". The signs said 27 km to Lucinda! We had no idea it was that far. We just kept turning left and believe it or not we made it and found the motel in the dark.
Lucinda is a very small town that caters to the sugar cane industry. It has the longest pier in Australia that runs from a factory way out in the ocean where the sugar cane is loaded on ships for transport all over the world. The harbor is too shallow for the big ships to come into so the pier was built to get the sugar cane to the ships.
Our two days there were rainy and overcast but not really cold.
The second night at dinner a man came up to our table and introduced himself. He is the owner and developer of the property, must be worth millions. He lives on Rose Bay in Sydney, is 93 years old and does not look a day over 80. He has many cabin cruisers, fishing boats, has a house down the road from the restaurant that is gated and huge. He swims everyday from his home to Hinchenbrook Island, a large island that runs parallel to the coast for about 20 km. His name was Bill Burcell and he got his start at 16 when he went to work in his father's department store in Campbelltown, just outside of Sydney during the Depression. He was very friendly and interesting.
Lucinda. Longest pier in Australia.
View from our motel room.
Swimming pool at Hinchenbrook Marine Cove Motel.
Reception
Entrance to cabins and motel
Restaurant

Rockhampton to Brisbane

2008-07-30T16:08:00.005+10:00

Wednesday we drove to Townsville where we had a zone conference on Thursday morning. We stayed in a Mercure hotel and the room was a cracker box and dingy, probably the worst room on our trip. I got up in the morning and went for a walk by the lake that was on the property. It stepped in some water, my feet went out from under me and I landed flat on my back and hit my head. My thoughts were, "Please don't let me pass out!" I got up, was stiff but had no other symptoms so I finished my walk and returned to the room to get ready for the Zone Conference. They could not put us up a second night and becaue Jay did not feel well, we changed hotels to the Ibis closer in to town. On Thursday he talked at the Zone Conference, then we checked into to Ibis and he slept the afternoon and I rested my stiff body.
We got up on Friday morning and headed for Rockhampton. We arrived late in the evening, just in time to do two loads of wash and fall into bed.
Saturday we drove into Brisbane, about 675 km. It was a beautiful sunny day and the road was well travelled with people getting away for the weekend. On the drive we were pulled over 4 or 5 times by police cars so that wide loads travelling towards Cairns could pass. Believe me when I say they were wide loads. One of them took up all of the two lanes of the highway and we were hugging the shoulder in order not to get hit.
Our goal was to make it to Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo in time to visit it. We made it at 4 pm and they close at 4:30 pm. After reading about it and visiting the gift shop we decided that we had already seen all of the animals we would see there in Sydney and other parks so we would not spend the money to come back. We did take the picture of the billboard!
We also stopped at the Ginger Factory, a fun place with a train, shops, food. It looks like an amusement park of sorts but we only got as far as the gift shop. We bought gingerbread cookies and cookie cutters then were on our way to Brisbane.
Steve Irwin
Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo.
Ginger Factory.
Ginger Factory
Super wide load.
Wide loads.
Police motioning motorists off the road.

Brisbane, Gold Coast,Karawatha

2008-07-30T15:52:00.006+10:00

We had Zone Conferences on Tuesday and Thursday. On Monday we ate lunch at the Fishmonger's Wife, voted the best fish and chips place in Australia. I had heard about it on the TV one morning as I worked out at the gym. After lunch we drove down the Gold Coast which is a big resort area for Queensland. It was an overcast day, not cold but a bit breezy on the beach. The big high rise hotels reminded us of Miami Beach. In fact, one of the beaches on the Gold Coast is named Miami Beach. We stopped at one of the nicest hotels we have ever seen to use their restrooms. It was the Palazzo Versace. We checked the prices of their rooms - $700+ a night.
The swimming pool had man made beach.
The Zone Conference on Tuesday was held at the chapel on the temple grounds.
On Wednesday we drove to Mt. Coot-tha, the highest point in Brisbane. The day was stormy and rainy so the view was not that great. We ate lunch on top, then returned to the warmth of our motel until our dinner date at the mission home with President and Sister Richards. We knew they came on their mission from San Francisco but as we talked we learned that they knew Barry and Holly Kent very well as well as our friends, Bob and Marcia Sorenson when they were mission presidents there. President Richards was in a stake presidency. They also knew the Parmlees. Small world.
On Thursday we drove to Karawatha, about 30 minutes away for our last Zone Conference. The building is a new, modern, large stake center located on property that looks like it is in the middle of a forest. No houses are businesses are around it. A few kilometers down the road and over a hill there are houses and businesses. It is a beautiful building and area.
On Friday we flew back to Sydney.
Voted the best fish and chips place in Australia for 2008. It was good.
Fishmmonger's Wife menu.
Hotel Palazzo Versace
Man Made Beach.

Hotel Palazzo Versace

Beach on the Gold Coast.
Miami beach.
President and Sister Richards.
Karawatha Stake Center

Hamilton, Suburb of Brisbane

2008-07-30T15:39:00.007+10:00

Sunday afternoon we took the CityCat ferry up and down the river from beginning to end. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon but a bit cool outside when riding the ferry. some of the ferry stops had cute huts to wait in until the ferry arrived. It was a short 10 minute walk from our motel to the ferry stop in Hamilton.
Ferry Station.
Brisbane skyline from the ferry.
Temple as seen from the ferry.
One of the many bridges that cross the river.
The old and the new of Brisbane.
CityCat ferry.
Storey Bridge, comparable to the Sydney Harbor Bridge but not as big. People climb this bridge as well.
Elizabeth outside the Pegasus Motel
Poinsetta bush.
Kent - Allen street signs in Hamilton.

Brisbane

2008-07-30T15:12:00.008+10:00

We arrived in Brisbane in the late afternoon. We had no idea where our motel would be located or what it would be like. We were pleasantly surprised to see that it was very nice. They could not give us accommodation for the full week in a motel room so they upgraded us to an apartment as they had both motel rooms and apartments available on the property. We had a nice living room with a new TV, a kitchen with garbage disposal and dishwasher, stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer and free broadband Internet as well as a bedroom and large bath room with tub. We thought we had died and gone to heaven. The parking was all underground and was totally secured.
We checked in, unpacked and went in search of food for dinner. We found a wonderful Thai restaurant and loved their food so much we ate there three times during the week.
On Sunday morning we attended Church in the chapel next to the temple. That is also Elder Smibert's ward, the member of the Area Presidency here last year. His son is the bishop. He was there and recognized us right away. We stayed through Sunday School, then went out and took pictures of the city skyline from the temple, the temple and grounds and the river walk below the temple. The parking is all underground for the temple and church services. It is a beautiful location for the temple and all the tour buses come to that spot to see the city skyline. On the way back to the motel we passed a car dealership that sold Smart Cars. We had to take a picture of the Smart Car display. Our son-in-law, Corey Kent got a real kick out of the Smart Cars when they visited us in Germany.
Ferry on the river.
View of the city of Brisbane from the temple.
View of the river and one of the bridges and ferry.
Rock climbing below the temple.
Guess who?
Grounds in the rear of the church on the temple grounds.
Rear of the temple.
Angel Moroni.
Brisbane Temple from the front.
Brisbane Temple.
Temple plaque.
Flowers on the temple grounds.
Smart cars displayed at a dealership in Brisbane. This one's for Corey.

Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney, Australia

2008-07-08T14:08:00.010+10:00

On Saturday July 5th, after spending two hours on the video phone with 3 of our 4 children who were gathered at Michelle and Corey's home in Eagle Idaho for the 4th of July, we visited the Featherdale Wildlife Park in western Sydney. This park has all Australian animals and birds. It was very interesting. As we entered the park we were greeted by a number of small wallabys who were very tame and would let you pet them and take pictures. There were also two kookaburra birds that were very tame and just sat on the low fences. We could walk right up to them, stroke them and take their pictures. We walked a little further and came upon 7 or 8 larger wallabys or may have been small kangaroos, just lying in the path. Again we were able to get close and pet them and take pictures. We enjoyed the animals and hope you do too.
Storks
Large black kangaroo.

Black and gray kangaroo eating.
Albino kangaroo
Albino kangaroos.
Albino kangaroo.
Echidna.

Frilly lizard.
Frilly lizard.
Frilly lizard.
Reptiles. Just before this picture was taken, the one on top crawled up from the far left and laid on top of the other one and stayed there as if he was posing for pictures.
Another reptile of sorts.

Tasmanian Devil. They are mean looking things.
A chicken, believe it or not.
White peacock.
Python snake.

Kookaburra. He was just sitting on a fence and did not move when people took his picture.
Wombats.
Wombat.
Wombat
Black Swans.

Petting a koala. Yes, he is real, not fake. We had the park attendant prove it by waking him up.
Elizabeth and the wallabys. They are miniature kangaroos.
A wallaby with a joey in her pouch. You can see the legs hanging out.
Bats.
Bat asleep with its wings wrapped around it.

Wallaby that was walking around wild as we entered the park.
Petting a wallaby.
Chinese cockatoo
Koala bear.
Koala bear in his natural pose, sleeping.

Katoomba Winter Magic Festival

2008-06-24T09:32:00.006+10:00

Saturday June 21st was the Katoomba Winter Magic Festival. Katoomba is located in the tops of the Blue Mountains, and hour and 40 minutes by train from Sydney. Those that went on this activity met in the parking lot of the flats and car pooled to the train station at Granville where there is a lot of parking available. We then rode the train to Katoomba together. Those that attended the festival last year opted not to attend this year. That should have been some indication to the rest of us "greeneis" of how the day would go!
To begin with it was very cold in the mountains with a nice breeze blowing! None of us felt we were dressed warm enough. Jay left his sweat shirt he planned on wearing under his coat in the car at Granville so the first hour was spent looking for a cheap but warm sweat shirt. Of all the booths lining both sides of the street not one sold sweat shirts. So we ended up walking to KMart and finding one for $7. What a bargain!
By then the streets were packed and looking at the booths was a joke! We opted for hot chocolate in a "quiet" cafe. We finally walked up to the top of the street, found the only worthwhile booth and shop and bought some jewelry. We then watched the "parade" which consisted of two or three floats, lots of people dressed in funky costumes and one band.
Afterwards we walked to the IMAX theater, ate lunch and watched The Edge, a movie about the Blue Mountains.
We missed the 2:20 train back to Granville so we had to wait for another hour. We passed the time in the Carrington Hotel watching the people dressed in very weird costumes come and go.
To sum the day up - we wouldn't do it again next year even if we were going to be here.
Carolyn Wooley, Wendy McKnight, Elizabeth, Jay at the Granville train station.
Clint and Joyce Warby, our partners for the day!
Katoomba train station high in the Blue Mountains.
Weirdos!!! Typical of the costume for the day!
The crowds.

A cute little girl all dressed up.

The Parade.

Even the dogs got in the act.

Carrington Hotel
Weirdos at the hotel.

Toukley Ward Talent Show.

2008-06-20T14:34:00.006+10:00

This is a senior couple, the Vanasperens, from Brisbane and their 21 year old daughter Debbie who has Downs Syndrome and is serving with them in the MOC - processing microfilm for Family History. They live across the hall from us.

The video of As I Have Loved You. Tabernacle Choir we are not but we try and bear in mind this video was taken by Jay with his point and shoot camera. He has gotten in the habit of singing along quietly in church when the choir sings, or someone sings a solo. I've told him to stop but he doesn't pay any attention. So if you listen closely you can hear him singing in the background. Now this is really funny because he won't join the choir because "I can't sing". He can sing the melody but can't read music or parts. Now no one who has listened to the video believes he can't sing.

You Raise Me Up sung by Wendy McKnight from Boise, and Claudia Clark from North Salt Lake.

The Entrance, Nora's Head Lighthouse, Pelicans

2008-06-20T13:58:00.005+10:00

One big pelican.

This is how the pelicans keep warm on a cold day.

Inlet at Nora's Head.
LightHouse at Nora's Head.
Light House.
Ocean at Nora's Head.
Where are the whales? Rough ocean.

The Entrance. Beyond the break water is the ocean.
Pelicans waiting to be fed at The Entrance.
Great day for a pelican swim!
Rough waters at The Entrance.
Brother and Sister Allen, our hosts.

Sounds of the ocean.

Toukley, NSW, Australia

2008-06-20T13:23:00.006+10:00

Our trip to Toukley began with a drive from the flats to the Epping train station where we boarded the train for the Wyong station, 20 minutes from Toukley. It took about an hour and a half. The scenery was beautiful as we left the suburbs of Sydney. Unfortunately the windows of the train were really scratched and dirty so I couldn't get any pictures. Suffice it to say that landscape was tree invested with a lot of lakes and inlets. The trip was arranged by Malcome Arvidson, a church employee at the Buckland House who lives in the ward in Toukley and heard about our famous senior choir. Their ward was having a talent night and he invited us seniors up to perform and spend the day. Then he arranged to have members of the ward host each couple for the day and take them around to various sites in the afternoon before bringing them to the church for a potluck dinner and the talent show, during which we would perform two numbers, Waltzing Matilda, the Aussie National Anthem (not) and As I Have Loved You. Two of our members also sang a duet. A good time was had by all. However, the weather was not great - very windy and cold and in the afternoon when we were all out sight seeing it clouded up and rained and the waves were very rough looking on the ocean.
Paul Bartholomew and Jay at the train station.
Jay and Platte Clark do not sing in the choir. They were along for the fun of it.

You might ask why I have included this picture in our blog. The man in the hat is Dave Osborn. His wife is president of our choir and organizer, etc. She decided that we would practice on the train going up to Wyong so we were told to try to get an empty car. That did not work so there were people sitting in the car. As soon as she got out the keyboard (which she brought for the purpose of practicing) he moved to the rear of the car and the expression on his face says it all!!!

Just so you know what the Osborns look like I have included this picture taken as we got settled on the train.

Botany Bay National Park

2008-06-11T12:03:00.003+10:00

The following pictures are self explanatory.
Plaque on Capt. Cook's monument.

Elizabeth & Lurleen at Capt. Cook's monument.
Botany Bay from the monument.

Botany Bay National Park

2008-06-11T11:58:00.003+10:00

Botany Bay is a beautiful, peaceful place. The wind was quite brisk so the waters were choppy. We did not see any whales but the wind on the water made it look like there were whales out there.
We asked one of the whale watchers to take our picture. Note how he cut the men's heads off!! I thought that was pretty funny!

Botany Bay National Park

2008-06-11T11:55:00.003+10:00

As I have mentioned before, Australia has beautiful birds. They are everywhere. You just have to look.
Kookaburro
Rosellas

JENOLAN CAVES

2008-05-21T09:54:00.006+10:00

On Saturday May 17th we went on an outing to the Jenolan Caves. They are 2 1/2 hours from Sydney, through the Blue Mountains. It was a cool day, crisp and clear when we left Sydney at 7:30 am. By the time we reached the Caves a storm was coming in and it turned cold with periods of light rain and wind. The Jenolan Caves are really something to see. There are a number of large caves with formations as you see below in all of them. We took the Lucas Cave tour which had a lot of steps and took 1 1/2 hours. The formations were exceptional. There is not room on this blog to put all of the pictures. To get to the caves we drove down a very steep, windy road to the valley floor and a large opening through the rock. On the other side was a large hotel,restaurant complex. Above the opening in the rock was the entrances to the Lucas Cave.
On the way home we stopped and took pictures of the decorated bus shelters in a couple of the towns as we drove through the Blue Mountains. They were really very unique.
Entrance to the caves.
Hotel at the caves.
Waterfall by hotel
River that carved the caves.
River

View of road from entrance to Lucas cave.
Our guide.
Walking through to the hotel area.

Ice castle.
Neat toadstools.
Jay & Elizabeth in Lucas Cave.
Formation
Stairs to nowhere.

Formation in Lucas Cave.
Bus shelter Decoration - Blue Mountains
Bus shelter
Bus shelter
Bus shelter

MELBOURNE EAST ZONE CONFERENCES

2008-05-20T14:50:00.006+10:00

We left Sydney on Sunday afternoon and arrived and hour and a half later in Melbourne. We were picked up by Elder and Sister Barker who work in the office and taken to where we would be staying with the Wrights in their home. He is the mission secretary. The next 5 days we attended the zone conferences and Jay spoke at each one. In Wangaratta, a 3 hour drive from Melbourne, Sister Lindley had the missionaries prepare the evening meal using cost effective recipes that are easy and fast.
One of the AP's looks like our grandson, Nathan Kent will look when he serves his mission. We were struck by the similarity of the two.
Elder and Sister Wright's House.
Elder and Sister Wright

Wangaratta Zone Conference. Making granola.
Elders making hamburger soup. Wangaratta Zone Conference.
AP's and Zone Leaders in Wangaratta. Elder Caldwell, Nathan's look alike is second from the left.
Wangaratta chapel.
Elder Caldwell, from Georgia. Nathan Kent's look alike.
Melbourne temple early in the morning.
Sister Lindley cooking dinner in the mission home.
Dinner with the Lindleys and sisters and elders.
Narre Warren chapel. Pakenham Zone Conference.
President and Sister Lindley.

MOORABIN CHAPEL, BRIGHTON BEACH

2008-05-20T13:47:00.006+10:00

When we lived in Melbourne my father drove to Bentley, a suburb close to the ocean, to build the chapel there. Now it is called Moorabin. One of his "signature" items that he had designed was the lion's head fountain in the courtyard of the church. At that time building a courtyard was also unique.
Brighton Beach is a famous beach in Melbourne and quite close to the Moorabin chapel. President Lindley drove us over there. On one section of the beach they have a row of beach houses that are all painted different colors. People "buy" the beach houses from the city and pay many thousands of dollars for it.
Chapel built by my father in Moorabin.
Note the date.
Courtyard in the rear of the building.
Lion head fountain.
Brighton Beach houses.

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.

2008-05-20T11:04:00.004+10:00

As most of you know my father served a labor mission in Melbourne, Australia when I was 16 years of age. The whole family moved to Melbourne. We lived in a suburb called Mont Albert and attended church in the next eastern suburb, Box Hill. We lived in the old mission home which has since been torn down and multiple dwelling houses built on the property. The Blackburn Chapel sits on the property on Whitehorse Road where we attended church in an old run down house. On the Sunday we were in Melbourne we drove by where I lived, where I caught the train to school every morning and where I attended my last year and a half of hgih school. It truly was a trip down memory lane for me.
412 Mont Albert Drive. Now apartments.
Mont Albert Drive towards Melbourne.
Mont Albert Drive towards Box Hill. Beautiful tree lined street.
Mont Albert Station
Mont Albert train station where I caught the train for school every morning.
Train platform at Mont Albert Station
Blackburn chapel.
Blackburn chapel on Whitehorse Road.
Camberwell High School. I attended here for a year and a half.
Front of Camberwell High School

The upper room of the school where I met with other prefects (school officers) my metriculation year.

HEALSVILLE ANIMAL SANCTUARY, MELBOURNE

2008-05-20T08:26:00.003+10:00

We took quick trip to the Healsville Animal Sanctuary outside of Melbourne in the Dandenong Mountains. The area is beautiful and green with rolling hills and lots of farms. The lone koala bear was asleep in a tree, just perched on a branch. It looked really uncomfortable to me.
Sleeping koala.
Does this look uncomfortable or what.
Kangaroo with a joey in her pouch.
The centinnal.
A frilly lizard.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD, VICTORIA

2008-05-19T15:45:00.006+10:00

On Friday afternoon we drove straight down the Great Ocean Road to Port Campbell, a very small town. We stayed at the Best Western motel which wasn't much. Saturday we drove to the Twelve Apostles National Park, took pictures and returned to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road, stopping at all the little towns on the way.
Beginning of the Great Ocean Road west of Geelong.
View of the ocean on Friday afternoon.
More ocean views on Saturday.
Interesting house overlooking the ocean.
Beautiful blue water on Saturday.

PORT CAMPBELL AND THE TWELVE APOSTLES, SPLIT POINT LIGHTHOUSE.
Split point lighthouse. Great Ocean Road.
Best Western motel in Port Campbell. Our room.
Twelve Apostles National Park.

Some of the apostles
More of the apostles
More apostles.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD, VICTORIA

2008-05-19T14:01:00.010+10:00

CAPE OTWAY LIGHTHOUSE AND KOALAS
As we drove toward the cape we came upon four koala bears in the trees right above the road. It was hard to get good pictures of them because of the light.
Koalas in the trees on the way to the light house at Cape Otway.

Approaching the lighthouse.
Lighthouse.
Cliff Edge sign at Cape Otway.
Road signs along the way.

LORNE
Erskine Falls
Elizabeth in front of a famous very old tree at Erskine Falls.
Elizabeth with some babes we found in town.
Grand Pacific Hotel, Lorne. Looks like a cool place to spend a few days.

ANGLESEA.
Kangaroos in the front yard of a house in Anglesea. Note the collars on the close ups.

Kangaroos on the golf course.

Newcastle and the Young Ambassadors

2008-05-19T11:19:00.008+10:00

We drove on Friday night to Graham Clark's house outside of Newcastle, about 2 hours from Sydney. We made various stops along the way and finally arrived around 8 pm. The are very nice. He is a member of the church and is the Public Affairs representative for his stake. She is not a member. We spent the night at their lovely house in the bush. They seem to be miles from anywhere. They own a lot of the property around their house.
On Saturday morning we drove into Newcastle and then to Nelson Bay where we met the Young Ambassadors and boarded the boat for the dolphin watch. We were on the water about 2 hours and towards the end of the trip we did see a few dolpins as they swam around the boat. I was never quick enough with the camera or close enough for pictures.
The afternoon was spent visiting places where Clint Warby's family came from in that area and walking on the pier in Newcastle.
Graham Clark's House in the Bush.

View from second floor.
Graham's wife at entry way into house.
Light House in Newcastle
Elizabeth & Jay on the pier in Newcastle.
Nelson Bay
On Nelson Bay Sun reflection on Nelson Bay.
Australian flag flies over the boat.
On the boat. The man with the hat and the woman in the foreground are Randy Booth and his wife. Her back is to the camera.
Harbor at Nelson Bay.
The Oldroyds, Paul Bartholomew, the Warbys.
This sign was humorous. Note it says the Noodle Bar is open upstairs. There are no stairs! Or second floor!