Palm Lake Resort Eagleby Social Bowls Club

20/09/2026

Good morning bowlers, members and friends all, at this hour of the day I would imagine most of you will be enjoying a nice morning sleep in, we also hope you all had a nice peaceful sleep.

The artwork I have for you today is at Cloncurry on a Water Tank, which was painted by Joel Fergie known as the Zookeeper, it is a real beauty.

On this day in Australia, the 21st of September 1973.

The Jackson Po***ck painting Blue Poles is controversially purchased by the Whitlam government for A$1.3 million.

Blue Poles, also known as Number 11, 1952, is an abstract expressionist painting by the American artist Jackson Po***ck. It was purchased amid controversy by the National Gallery of Australia in 1973 and today remains one of the gallery's major paintings.

At the time of the painting's creation, Po***ck preferred not to assign names to his works, but rather numbers; hence, the original title of the painting was simply Number 11 or No. 11 for the year 1952. In 1954, the new title Blue Poles was first seen at an exhibition at the Sidney Janis Gallery; it reportedly originated from Po***ck himself.

According to art historian Dennis Phillips, the specific rather than ambiguous title "limits our field of comprehension and does the painting a singular disservice. Because we look for the poles and miss much of the rest, the name is simply too distracting."

The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) purchased Blue Poles in 1973 for A$1.3 million, then US$2 million. The gallery's director at the time, James Mollison, was not able to authorise purchases over $1 million, so the acquisition was approved by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who decided that the price should be made public.
The purchase elicited a great deal of public discussion; according to art historian Patrick McCaughey, "never had such a picture moved and disturbed the Australian public". The debate centred on the painting's record selling price, at the time a world record for a contemporary American painting, as well as the perceived financial ineptitude of Whitlam's Labor Party government and debate over the relative value of abstract art. In the conservative climate of the time, the purchase created a political and media scandal.

In 1998, Blue Poles left Australia for the first time since its purchase for inclusion in a Po***ck retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York which ran from 1 November 1998 to 2 February 1999. The painting was the signature work of the exhibition, and as described in a review, it "dominated" the last gallery of the show, ending it "not with a whimper, but a bang".

While rarely loaned, the work was displayed as part of the Royal Academy's Abstract Expressionism exhibition from 24 September 2016 to 2 January 2017 in London, before returning to the NGA and being rehung in level 3.
As a result of the gallery's temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it became possible to undertake an extensive conservation project of Blue Poles, a work that has rarely been off display since its purchase in 1973.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the above information.

Our quote of the day is from: Jacob Tremblay
Choosing kindness is just as easy as smiling.

20/09/2026

Good evening everyone

The first round of the Men’s Open Singles Championship was played this afternoon in perfect playing conditions.

Many Thanks to Rowena for taking the photos and sending them to me along with the results, apologies from me for not being there as we left early this morning to go out to Fernbrooke Ridge (Near Redbank Plains) to babysit our two youngest grandkids while our son and daughter in-law along with most of our family went into the city for the day to celebrate our youngest daughters 48th birthday, we have not long ago arrive back home.

I was the taxi driver taking them all back and forth to the Springfield Lakes railway station, from their homes, as lunch was an all-you-can-eat and drink affair.

The results from round one this afternoon are:
1. Karl Vorhauser defeated Allan Fitzgerald
2. Keith Meiforth defeated Trevor Haines
3. Lloyd Davies defeated Rod Hawes
4. Roy Fuller defeated Ross Reeves
5. Peter Noll defeated Dennis Frieberg
6. Peter Milivojevic defeated Seymour Cheung
7. Roly Fahrenhorst defeated Les Richdale

Congratulations to all the players who are moving on to round two and commiserations to those who came second, I am sure you would have given it your best.

19/09/2026

Good morning everyone, we hope you will all enjoy a nice sleep in and enjoy a nice lazy day.

The artwork I have for you today was painted by Rudsys Custom Art at Falcon in Western Australia.

On this day in Australia, the 20th of September 1999.

The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) was a multinational non-United Nations peacemaking task force, organised and led by Australia in accordance with United Nations resolutions to address the humanitarian and security crisis that took place in East Timor from 1999–2000 until the arrival of UN peacekeepers. INTERFET was commanded by an Australian military officer, Major General Peter Cosgrove.

Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and annexed the former Portuguese colony. The East Timorese resistance movement Falintil resisted the annexation. The annexation by Indonesia was not recognised by the United Nations, but was recognised by one state, Australia, in 1979. Cold War security concerns were emphasised, while foreign powers also placed high importance on good relations with Indonesia and were largely reluctant to assist a push for independence as a result. However, following the fall of long-serving Indonesian President Suharto, the new president, B. J. Habibie, was prepared to grant East Timor special autonomy.

In late 1998, the Australian prime minister, John Howard, with his foreign minister, Alexander Downer, drafted a letter to Habibie supporting the idea of autonomy but incorporating a suggestion that the long-term issue of East Timorese self-determination could best be defused by providing the East Timorese with an opportunity for a plebiscite after a substantial period of autonomy. The explicit comparison was with the Matignon Accords involving France and New Caledonia. The letter upset Habibie, who saw it as implying Indonesia was a "colonial power", and he decided in response to announce a snap referendum to be conducted within six months.

News of the proposal provoked a violent reaction from pro-Indonesian militia in East Timor. The Indonesian army did not intervene to restore order. At a summit in Bali, Howard told Habibie that a United Nations peacekeeping force should oversee the process. Habibie rejected the proposal, believing it would have insulted the Indonesian military.

The United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) was established to organise and conduct a referendum on the question of independence. It was composed of police and observers rather than military personnel. The UN-sponsored referendum held on 30 August 1999 showed overwhelming approval for East Timorese independence from Indonesia. After the result was announced on 4 September, violent clashes, instigated by a suspected anti-independence militia, sparked a humanitarian and security crisis in the region, with Xanana Gusmão calling for a UN peacekeeping force the same day. Many East Timorese were killed, with as many as 500,000 displaced and around half fleeing the territory.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the above information.

Our quote of the day is from: Demi Lovato
No matter what you're going through, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it may seem hard to get to it but you can do it and just keep working towards it and you'll find the positive side of things.

19/09/2026

19/09/2026

Good afternoon members and friends all.

Today we had a team of Bowlers travel down to PLR Ballina in the two buses for the next round in the Eagleby/Ballina Shield.

Although they lost at Ballina today, 92 points to Eagleby and 124 points to Ballina, our team went into the game with a substantial lead from when Ballina played here, we had a 41 points credit, which meant that Eagleby won overall by 9 points and retain the Shield for another year.

Congratulations to all of our players on a great win.

18/09/2026

Good morning one and all, today is a blank canvas, so go out and paint it beautifully.

This morning we have a team of bowlers heading down to PLR Ballina to play the second round of the Ballina - Eagleby Shield. Good luck to all of our players.

We hope to see as many of you as can make it at the bowls club for the members draw this afternoon, now that winter has gone, it will be much more pleasant sitting out in the b**r garden.

The artwork I have for you today was painted by Jimmi Buscombe, at a private residence at Warrnambool in Victoria.

On this day in Australia, the 19th of September 2003.

Construction of Alice Springs to Darwin rail link is completed.

he Alice Springs-Darwin railway project, managed by the AustralAsia Railway Corporation (a joint venture of South Australian and Northern Territory governments), utilized a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model. Asia Pacific Transport (APT) won the tender, with ADrail responsible for design and construction, and FreightLink for operations. The project encompassed the construction of a new 830km standard gauge line (replacing an existing, inadequate meter gauge track) between Tarcoola, South Australia and Alice Springs, and extending it to Darwin, resulting in a combined network of approximately 2,240km.

Funding was a multi-faceted effort. The Australian Federal Government contributed A$191.4 million, while the South Australian and Northern Territory governments provided A$367.8 million. The remaining funds originated from the private sector. This public-private partnership (PPP) model, while necessary to secure the capital needed for such a vast endeavor, attracted criticism from some sectors regarding the return on investment. It’s important to consider the economic development potential as well as the direct financial returns.

The construction phase presented numerous challenges. The project traversed some of the world’s most challenging terrain, including the Tanami Desert, which experiences extreme temperatures (up to 50°C) and a three-month monsoon season. The route also crossed significant areas of Aboriginal Land Trust Land and land under claim, requiring extensive negotiations and careful consideration of native title rights. Logistical hurdles included establishing construction depots at Katherine and Tennant Creek, managing the deployment of work teams working towards a central meeting point, and coordinating the efficient transportation of materials and equipment.

Despite these difficulties, the project implemented effective strategies: using two construction teams working from opposite ends minimized transportation distances, and the work was timed to mitigate the worst effects of the monsoon season. Impressive daily track laying rates of up to 2km were achieved. Safety was prioritized through grade-separated crossings (five in total) with major highways like the Stuart and Victoria Highways. The use of continuous welded rail on concrete sleepers ensured high-quality track suitable for heavy freight trains.
Upon completion, the line was designed to handle 23t axle loads, accommodate double-stack containers, and allow for speeds up to 115km/h. Integration with Darwin’s East Arm Port, including an intermodal container terminal, was a key feature of the project.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the above information.

Our quote of the day is from: Tom Clancy
The good old days are now.

18/09/2026

Happy hour in North Rothbury

17/09/2026

And just like that, another weekend is almost upon us. We hope it will be a great one for you all. Good luck to all those playing in the mixed triples game this afternoon, we hope it is a fun filled game for you all.

The artwork I have for you today is on the Moe RSL in Victoria and was painted by Steve Bechaz.

On this day in Australia, the 18th of September 1981.

Dale Buggins Australian motorcycle Stuntman died in Melbourne.

Dale Charles Buggins (1961–1981) was an Australian stunt motorcyclist who has built a national and international reputation by the age of 20. At 17, Buggins broke a world record previously held by American stuntman Evel Knievel when he jumped 25 cars with a Yamaha dirt bike, in 1978.

Buggins was born to parents Jan and Ken in Carmarthen, Wales, and immigrated to Australia with his family at the age of 7 months. His interest in motorcycles began at the age of nine, when his father gave him a small motorbike powered by a lawnmower engine. In just a few years he was riding an XR75 Honda and doing jumps off car bonnets like the others at the local dirt bike track, known as the "Dude Ranch" near Umina on the Central Coast of NSW. A schoolfriend recalls:
Any given afternoon when school had finished, and on weekends there would be all kids blasting around kicking dirt up. Buggo to us, or Dale would be going hard, wheelies, jumps, big power slides, it was something to see. Dale was a school friend of mine at Woy Woy South Primary School, and Woy Woy High where he did very well in all subjects. I have pictures of Dale in our Rugby team. In 1976 he moved with his family to Wyong where he honed his jumping skills on a farm jumping cars. Dale became a sensation with his stunt shows, the rest is history.

Buggins's work pre-dated Freestyle Motocross and the Crusty Demons by 10-plus years. In that sense, at least in Australia, he was a stunt motorbike pioneer like his idol, Evel Knievel.

On 28 May 1978 Buggins broke Knievel's world record by jumping over 25 cars at the Newcastle Motordome and by 1979 he was touring Australia with the "Evel Knievel Spectacular", a Michel Edgley Production. Scheduled to play 35 cities and towns, the tour flopped after four, when Knievel left the show citing safety concerns. (The Canberra Times, 2 March, 1979, p.3). The last venue was Melbourne Show Grounds. In 1980 he visited Seattle in the United States to perform with American stunt motorcyclist Gary Wells.

Jumping everything from cars to buses, Buggins also created a unique motorcycle high wire act with his sister Chantel. He toured the "Dale Buggins Spectacular", in the States and Australia, appearing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and others around the country. A documentary made with Buggins, Mud Sweat and Gears, by Douglas Stanley and Nomad Films was never released in Australia but can be found on YouTube.

Buggins's record has since been broken by fellow Australian FMX stunt rider Robbie Maddison.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the above information.

Our quote of the day is from: Napoleon Bonaparte
If you want a thing done well, do it yourself.

16/09/2026

Good morning one and all, here's to a great day, good luck to all the guys playing in the Men's Self-Select Pairs this afternoon, we hope it will be an enjoyable game for you all.

I have been asked to be the guest speaker at the Coffee Club 272 get-together this morning, talking about my life history, we hope to see you there.

The artwork I have for you today is at the Dandenong Market and was painted by TD Ilistrations.

On this day in Australia, the 17th of September 1962.

Film director Baz Luhrmann was born.

Bazmark Anthony "Baz" Luhrmann born Mark Anthony Luhrmann, 17 September 1962) is an Australian film director, producer, writer and actor whose various projects extend from film and television into theatre, music and the recording industries. He is regarded by some as a contemporary example of an auteur for his style and deep involvement in the writing, directing, design and musical components of all his work. In Australia, he is the most commercially successful native director, and four of his films are in the top ten highest worldwide grossing Australian films ever.

On the screen, he is best known for his Red Curtain Trilogy, comprising the romantic comedy film Strictly Ballroom (1992) and the romantic tragedies William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Moulin Rouge! (2001). Following the trilogy, projects included Australia (2008), The Great Gatsby (2013), Elvis (2022) and the television period drama The Get Down (2016) for Netflix. Additional projects include stage productions of Giacomo Puccini's La bohème for both Opera Australia and Broadway, and Strictly Ballroom the Musical (2014). In September 2025 his first documentary, EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival

Luhrmann is known for his Grammy Award-nominated soundtracks for Moulin Rouge! and for The Great Gatsby, as well as his record label House of Iona, a co-venture with RCA Records. Serving as producer on all his musical soundtracks, he also holds writing credits on many of the individual tracks. His album Something for Everybody features music from many of his films and also includes his hit "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)".

Mark Anthony Luhrmann was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 17 September 1962. His mother, Barbara Carmel (née Brennan), was a ballroom dance teacher and dress shop owner, and his father, Leonard Luhrmann, ran a petrol station and a cinema. He was raised in Herons Creek, a tiny rural settlement in mid-northern New South Wales. He attended St Joseph's Hastings Regional School, Port Macquarie (1975–1978); St Paul's Catholic College, performing in the school's version of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1; and Narrabeen Sports High School, where he met his future collaborator Craig Pearce.

Luhrmann received the nickname "Baz" at school, given to him because of his hairstyle, the name coming from the puppet character Basil Brush. While still in high school, Luhrmann changed his name by deed poll to Bazmark, joining his nickname and birth name together. In 1980 Luhrmann graduated from high school, and in the same year was cast opposite Judy Davis in the Australian film Winter of Our Dreams. In 1982, using the money he had earned from film and television work, he co-founded, with Nell Schofield, Gabrielle Mason, and Julia Little, their own theatre company, The Bond Theatre Company. The four had recently been turned down by NIDA. In March the company performed American Days at the pavilion at Sydney's Bondi Beach. At the same time, he conceived and appeared in a controversial television documentary, Kids of the Cross, where Luhrmann, embedded as a character, lived with a group of street kids. In 1983 he enrolled in an acting course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. He graduated in 1985 alongside Sonia Todd, Catherine McClements and Justin Monjo.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the above information.

Our quote of the day is from: Bernard Meltzer
When you forgive, you in no way change the past - but you sure do change the future.