Jessica Watson - Australia's 16 Year Old Solo Around The World Sailor

What more can I say that hasn’t been said in hundreds of newspaper and TV reports about the youngest person who has sailed solo around the world….Jessica Watson.

Her journey took 7 months or 210 days and she travelled over 23,000km (14,290 miles).

Leaving Sydney on Jessica's remarkable journey around the world.

Watching as she docked in Sydney at the Opera House and was greeted by her parents brought a tear to my eye to think what an achievement Jessica has brought to those who may dream, but instead do not follow their dreams. One hopes more young people be they Australian or of any other nationality look upon Jessica’s journey and take up their own challenge and go out and attempt to bring their own dream/s to fulfilment.

Part of the flotilla of craft the welcomed Jessica back home.

Listening to her speech at the Opera House it’s hard to imagine Jessica is only 16 years old as she sounds much older and wiser beyond her years.

Being greeted by Jessica's parents as she arrived in Sydney.

This is a extract taken from comments on TV.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd shook Jessica's hands, as did NSW Premier Kristina Keneally. Mr Rudd said Watson was a "hero'' admired by Australians, and "do our nation proud.” ”You have lived your dream,'' he added.

Home at last coming through the Heads entering Sydney Harbour.

Mr Rudd led the crowd in giving Jessica a hip hip hurrah. Ms Keneally said Jessica was an inspiration. "Your have inspired us. You have reminded us what is possible. You have inspired us to follow our dreams.''

Jessica told the crowd she wasn't anything special. "I'm an ordinary girl who believed in a dream...,'' she said. "You just have to have a dream, believe in it and work hard.''
Jessica urged others to follow her example by living out their dreams. "I don't consider myself a hero. I'm an ordinary girl who believed in her dream,'' she told a large, cheering welcome-home crowd in Sydney.

Waving to the the 50 odd thousand that turned up to welcome Jessica home.

"You don't have to be someone special to achieve something amazing. You've just got to have a dream, believe in it and work hard.'' Jessica said she hoped her voyage proved what could be achieved by setting your mind to it.
"Anything really is possible.''
Jessica reflected on times when, as a girl growing up and learning about sailing, she had been overlooked because of her gender.
"As a little girl ... people don't think you're capable of these things. They don't realise what young people, what 16-year-olds, and what girls are capable of. "It is amazing when you take away those expectations what you can do and what you can achieve.

Jessica Watson one spunky 16 year old girl who set out to prove her dream to sail solo around the world. She showed her "knockers" who said that it couldn't be done how wrong they were.

If one is interested you can click on this link and you will be taken to a site where you will see where Jessica has sailed and there are small boxes that when clicked on will open either a photo with comments or a small video clip that Jessica comments on where she is. You may need to wait a very small time while this opens onto the area to view where Jessica sailed.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/jessica-watson-sets-foot-on-dry-land-after-epic-adventure/story-e6frg6nf-1225867150392

Again if one is interested you can click on this link and you will be taken to Jessica’s blog which she posted quite often during her voyage.

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/_blog/Official_Jessica_Watson_Blog/

Smoky Dawson, Australia's First Cowboy

My interest in country music goes way back to when I was quite young. This would have been in the late 50’s and I had a small portable radio. At 5am every morning there was a radio programme of western music and one of the first songs I can remember listening to was Smoky Dawson singing “On Top of Old Smoky”

"On Top of Old Smoky" is a traditional folk song of the United States reached the pop music charts in 1951.

“On top of Old Smoky, all covered with snow
I lost my true lover, for courting too slow...”

Another popular group who recorded the song was the Swedish group “Abba”.

Smoky Dawson MBE was an Australian country music performer. He was Australia's first cowboy and a pioneer of Australian country music. Smoky and his horse Flash were legendary. An entire generation of young Australians grew up listening to his radio show and abiding by his 'code of the west'.

Smoky’s radio show adventures were broadcast for a decade. Each week there was an exciting adventure involving Smoky, his companion Jingles, and Smoky’s wonder horse Flash. The stories all took place in the Australian outback. For nearly twenty years, Smoky and Flash were also an important part of Sydney’s annual Waratah Festival Parade.

....................................Smoky and his horse Flash.

Smokey was born Herbert Henry Dawson in Collingwood, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne and raised in the rural area of Warrnambool, his parents died at an early age, resulting in his living for several years in an orphanage.

At the age of thirteen Smokey met Ned Kelly's brother at a meeting of the Kelly clan. Smokey even witnessed the rounding up of the Kelly family by the authorities and told Peter he can't help but feel they were unfairly persecuted.

When Dot met Smoky he was in a band called the South Sea Island Boys with his brother Ted and it wasn’t long before he discovered radio, hillbilly music and yodelling.

His first bright and joyful recording, made in 1941 at Homebush, with the legendary producer Arch Kerr, “I’m a Happy Go Lucky Cowhand”, summed up his image perfectly. It was the first of a immense repertoire of original recordings.

After a stint in the army Smoky picked up where he left off and success swept the Dawsons into an incredible life of stardom, recording and touring, sometimes with Stan Gill’s Rodeo. Smoky, became a yodelling, whip cracking, knife throwing, film acting, song writing, singing, matinee idol, radio & TV super star…

When he returned from the war, he married Florence "Dot" Cheers in 1944, and they travelled to the United States to record, and play at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. When he returned to Australia in 1952 he started in his own radio show, The Adventures of Smoky Dawson, which stayed on the air for ten years. At its peak the show was broadcast on 69 stations across the country.

.......Smoky Dawson with his beloved wife, Dot.

As well as working as a singer and for the ABC, Smokey also spent a number of years in the United States and even appeared in musicals such as 'Kiss Me Kate'.

A long career of recording and performing followed his radio show, and till his death still enjoyed performing. He has frequently been recognized for his contributions to music and entertainment. In 1978 he was awarded an MBE for his services to country music. In 1983 he was named to the Australian Country Music Roll of Renown. In 1988 he appeared in two episodes of the Australian Drama serial A Country Practice as a drifter who passes through Wandin Valley and proposes to town gossip, Esme Watson. His performance was so popular with viewers, that he made another appearance in 1989. In 2005 he was inducted into the Australian Record Industry Association Hall of Fame. He has also been recognized in the United States, and has been awarded the Honor Award of the Grand Ole Opry. In April 2007 he donated his first electric guitar to the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame.

His final album, Homestead of My Dreams, was released in 2005 - at which point he became the oldest recording artist in the world.
His latest DVD featuring new performances was completed just this month. Smoky was renowned for being a mentor to younger country singers, and some of the industry's stars have paid tribute to the performer.

Australian of the Year, singer Lee Kernaghan, called Dawson "an Aussie icon" and "a national treasure". "Smoky Dawson was much more than one of Australian country music's greatest pioneers - he was a legend in every sense of the word," Kernaghan said.

Singer John Williamson agreed Dawson was the real deal.
"I reckon I could safely say he's the last of the singing cowboys that had the horse," he told Fairfax Radio Network.

Dawson died after a short illness on February 14th, 2008. At the age of 94, he was the oldest recording artist in the world at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife, Dot of 64 years, who is 101.

Australia Day 26th January, 2008

Lee Kernaghan, one of Australia's best known and loved country singers
was named Australian of the Year.
Lee's singing style is similar to American country greats, George Strait
and Alan Jackson.
Country music star Lee Kernaghan says he'll never be the new Slim Dusty.
The late Slim Dusty was named Senior Australian of the Year in 1999 and
had a record 37 Golden Guitars under his belt.

Kernaghan has already won 24 country music awards over his 15-year career,
coming second only to the late Slim Dusty.

'Nobody will ever overtake the King', Kernaghan said.

'There is only one king of Australian music, and that's Slim. I think of him
in the same way I think of Henry Lawson or Banjo Patterson, he's an Australian hero'.

The boy from the bush is back in town, with country music star Lee Kernaghan named Australian of the Year for 2008.

A proud Kernaghan, 43, admitted he was surprised at the honour but said he would use his new role to help farmers battling the drought.

The Victorian-born singer and songwriter was anointed successor to climate change crusader Tim Flannery at a ceremony outside Parliament House in Canberra on Friday night.

Naming him Australian of the Year, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said: "Lee Kernaghan's music resonates with every Australian by connecting us all to the spirit of the bush, but more importantly he gives hope and pride to those on the land when they need inspiration most.

"He has rolled up his sleeves to make a real difference for those in need in rural Australia."

Kernaghan, the son of country artist Ray Kernaghan, scored his first number one hit with 1995's Boys from the Bush and has gone on to sell over a million albums and pick up numerous Golden Guitar awards at Tamworth.

But it is his personal commitment to rural Australia that put him in front of other candidates for this year's award.

Over the past 10 years, the country star has led "Pass the Hat Around" and "Spirit of the Bush" tours, raising more than a million dollars for communities in need, particularly drought-ravaged families.

Kernaghan said being named Australian of the Year was the proudest moment of his life.

Spirit Of The Bush - Featuring Lee Kernaghan,
Adam Brand, Steve Forde and The McClymonts

Aussie Poem for Australia Day.

The sun was hot already - it was only 8 o'clock

The cocky took off in his Ute, to go and check his stock.

He drove around the paddocks checking wethers, ewes and lambs,

The float valves in the water troughs, the windmills on the dams.

He stopped and turned a windmill on to fill a water tank

And saw a ewe down in the dam, a few yards from the bank.

"Typical bloody sheep," he thought, "they've got no common sense,

"They won't go through a gateway but they'll jump a bloody fence."

The ewe was stuck down in the mud, he knew without a doubt

She'd stay there 'til she carked it if he didn't get her out.

But when he reached the water's edge, the startled ewe broke free

And in her haste to get away, began a swimming spree.

He reckoned once her fleece was wet, the weight would drag her down

If he didn't rescue her, the stupid sod would drown.

Her style was unimpressive, her survival chances slim

He saw no other option, he would have to take a swim.

He peeled his shirt and singlet off, his trousers, boots and socks

And as he couldn't stand wet clothes, he also shed his jocks.

He jumped into the water and away that cocky swam

He caught up with her, somewhere near the middle of the dam

The ewe was quite evasive, she kept giving him the slip

He tried to grab her sodden fleece but couldn't get a grip.

At last he got her to the bank and stopped to catch his breath

She showed him little gratitude for saving her from death.

She took off like a Bondi tram around the other side

He swore next time he caught that ewe he'd hang her bloody hide.

Then round and round the dam they ran, although he felt quite puffed

He still thought he could run her down, she must be nearly stuffed.

The local stock rep came along, to pay a call that day.

He knew this bloke was on his own, his wife had gone away

He didn't really think he'd get fresh scones for morning tea

But nor was he prepared for what he was about to see.

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief at what came into view

For running down the catchment came this frantic-looking ewe.

And on her heels in hot pursuit and wearing not a stitch

The farmer yelling wildly "Come back here, you lousy bitch!"

The stock rep didn't hang around, he took off in his car

The cocky's reputation has been damaged near and far

So bear in mind the Work Safe rule when next you check your flocks

Spot the hazard, assess the risk, and always wear your jocks!

In Memory, Billy Thorpe, 1946 - 2007.

....................... Photo courtesy of William Thorpe

Billy Thorpe was one of the true legends of Australian rock'n'roll.
Thorpie (as he was known) was born in Manchester, England in 1946
He immigrated to Australia with his family when he was nine, and his
family settled in Brisbane, Queensland. By the time he was ten years old,
Thorpie was performing on Brisbane television. By the time he was 15,
Billy had worked in stage shows, variety television, clubs and even
vaudeville at Brisbane's Theatre Royal.
He also toured with the likes of Johnny O'Keefe (called The Wild One)
and Col Joye. In late 1963, as a seasoned 17-year-old, Thorpie moved
to Sydney and created his first band The Aztecs.

.................Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs.

Two days before The Aztecs were to record two more of his songs for the
next single, Tony Barber (who played guitar and sung vocals) received
The Rolling Stones first British EP, sent over by his brother from England.
The Aztecs heard The Stones' version of "Poison Ivy" and decided to record
it themselves. "Poison Ivy' became The Aztecs' first #1 hit single in June 1964.
The single heralded the arrival of beat music in Australia, and Billy Thorpe
and the Aztecs (as the band was now known) became the country's biggest pop sensations.

Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs first album.

In Melbourne, where The Beatles had played to 52000 screaming kids,
Thorpie and The Aztecs drew 63000 at the Myer Music Bowl. The band
recorded its debut album Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, and ended a successful
1964 with the release of the ballad "Over the Rainbow" taken from the film
The Wizard of Oz. "Over the Rainbow" reached #1 in Sydney during
December 1964. In early 1972 the Aztecs released what became their biggest
hit, the song which became Thorpe's signature tune -- "Most People I Know
(Think That I'm Crazy)", a song now widely regarded as one of the classics
of Australian rock. It was a huge national hit for the new Aztecs, going to the
top of the charts in all cities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etrj_rlIlOk

click on above link to watch "Most People I Know (Think That I'm Crazy"

With thanks to Adam Dean who took this at the Crown
Showroom in Melbourne in March 2005.

In 1977 Billy went to the USA, and in 1979 released the epic rock song
"Children of the Sun". Thorpie returned to Australia in July 1996 for a
national tour with his new band. In November 1996 Thorpie's first book,
"Sex and Thugs and Rock'n'Roll: A Year in Kings Cross 1963-1964" was
published. Its release also coincided with a profile of Thorpie's life and career
on the television show "This is Your Life". Thorpie was back in Australia
during 1997 for a tour, and to write his second book, "Most People I Know
(Think that I'm Crazy)". Billy Thorpe’s first book, "Sex and Thugs and
Rock’n’Roll", went on to sell over 150 000 copies. In October 1998 saw his
second book, "Most People I Know (Think that I’m Crazy)", hit the shelves
and once again it swiftly became the #1 selling book in Australia.
I bought both of these books some time ago and they were both very interesting
on Billy's life in the music industry. They were both a great read and I
recommend them as a insight into the rock and roll music industry in the 1960's and 70's.

Billy Thorpe died this morning after suffering a major heart attack overnight.
Thorpe died in the early hours of the morning after he was rushed to Sydney's
St Vincent's Public Hospital. Ambulance crews were called to Thorpe's Sydney
home shortly after midnight after the star began suffering chest pains. He was
taken to hospital in a serious condition but then went into cardiac arrest and
could not be revived.
He is survived by his wife Lynne of 30 years, and daughters Rusty and Lauren.

I saw Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs three times during the 1960's. Twice at Festival
Hall (where I also saw The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Roy Orbinson,
Neil Diamond and many others). Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs concerts really
rocked and whenever one of their shows came to town the concerts were always
quickly sold out.

Billy Thorpe was still performing and had just completed a new album.
Both Johnny O'Keefe and Billy Thorpe were the fore runners of rock and roll
in Australia and both will be surely missed.

Melbourne Cup Day, 1st Tuesday in November.

Waal, Melbourne Cup Day has been and gone. A number of other bloggers
have posted about the cup, namely Peter, Merle and Lee., and Lee has written
a post on a Melbourne Cup that was held on Hinchinbrook Island, where she
was working.
Two years ago I suggested to the management and staff where I worked that
for Melbourne Cup Day we should all get dressed up. So here's some of the
photos I took that day. I thought it would be fun to spread these photos around.
I'm sure the 'gang' at work will be 'pleased' to see their efforts on my blog.

............................Sue, the Warehouse Manager.

Now there's a fashion (!) hat you wouldn't see at the Melbourne Cup.

Dan (Mr. Suave) who won the Best Dressed Prize.

I still think it was rigged by Mr. Suave as I thought I should of won.
(Gee no sour grapes there I'm sure).

.................Ron (the crim) and the sore loser, Wazza.

........................................Gloria and Mr Suave.

.....................................Paula, Sue and Gloria.

Gloria received a certificate for "the most suitable outfit for the races".

.............................................Wazza and Paula.

All the gang who participated in the Melbourne Cup Dress Up Day.

In Memory Of Steve Irwin

I received the below text in a e-mail two days ago,
so I had a look at what I could wear and the photo
is what I wore today.


Steve Irwin R.I.P. 1962 - 2006.

INTERNATIONAL
KHAKI DAY!!!!!!!

Pull on your best Kharki's guys....

International Khaki Day has been proposed in
remembrance of a great man Steve Irwin.
His enthusiasm was infectious and his wildlife
and habitat conservation message reached so
many individuals on various levels.
So this Friday, pull on something Khaki, pants,
a shirt or wear a Khaki wristband...anything khaki
. ..in rememberance of a great man.

Steve Irwin 1962 - 2006

Steve Irwin died today from a stingray barb.
A terrible tragedy and a loss to his family and to Australia.
I thought he was a great
bloke and a credit as a
ambassador for the tourist
industry to Australia.
I remember when I first saw
one of his Crocodile Hunter
TV documentries way back in
the mid 90's and I thought he
was "cool" He was interviewed on a TV show here called "Enough Rope with Andrew Denton" and I thought he came across as a very intelligent man even though he was know as "a crazy person" and a larakin with the way he appeared to take dangerous risks when handling deadly animals, but he did know what he was doing.
He will be dearly missed and although "crikey" has been silenced, but maybe
not for good as perhaps his children with take up the "crikey" catch phase.