Australia Day 2023

Today commemorates the day in 1788 the first Europeans landed in what was to become known as Australia at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to establish a penal colony.

Due to the loss of the American colonies following the War of Independence, the British were looking for somewhere else to ‘dump’ their convict population. The east coast of New Holland ‘discovered’ by Captain James Cook back in 1770 looked like the ideal place. Remote, seemingly rich in natural resources and, according to them unoccupied ie. terra nullius.

This date has become more controversial as time has gone on.

Meant to celebrate the beginning of our nation, it is obvious that the indigenous population who had been here tens of thousands of years before the Europeans arrived see it more as an invasion day and the start of the end of their stewardship of the land and the demise of their traditions and culture.

It’s hard to argue, given what has happened since, that is not the case.

Debate over a change of date rages on.

Finding a satisfactory alternative is a sticking point.

The day we become a republic and cut ties with the United Kingdom entirely would be a satisfactory one but unfortunately that is currently a pipe dream.

Many will take part in the today’s activities, some with nationalistic, even jingoistic fervour.

We won’t be.

And here are the alternate activities that will be held across the country today.

Summer Colour in Our Garden

 

Bushfire Season

You would have thought with all the rain, up to double the annual average, and widespread flooding over the last year, that bushfires over summer would not be a problem.

Wrong!

The rain had produced substantial growth of grass on the plains and undergrowth in the forests.

That is now drying out under summer conditions.

Rural Fire Service firefighters have responded to more than 150 grass fires across NSW in the last seven days. 

They warn grass growth over recent months now poses a very real risk. 

They advise “to know your risk and take action now to ensure you, your family and your property are prepared.”
We have noticed the abnormal regrowth in our surrounding forests since the disastrous 2019/2020 fires.
Since then we have had trees removed from around our house and our neighbour has cut back a substantial fire break on the forest side of our property, the area where the last fire made its entry.

Time to reboot the “Fires Near Me” app.

Wollemi Pine Final Update 😢

In 2007 I received a small potted Wollemi Pine cloned from a secret stand of around 100 trees somewhere in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney.The Wollemi Pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest plants dating back to the time of the dinosaurs.

Over the years I have documented its progress on this blog.

But 2022 being the wettest year on record has taken its toll.

Wollemis don’t like wet feet.

Despite our best efforts the end is nigh.

Sad.

Happy New Year