Antipodean Boats Connection

[Phil Y]

Thanks guys-"we" in this case being the company I work for, and yes, we will be helping out a little! Its a new school-only opened this year. Government school-which means the goverment employs the teachers, but so far has provided nothing else. No books, no buildings, no nothing. They have no water supply-I was there today for the end of school assembly, and one of the repeated messages to the kids was that they need to bring water and lunch to school. So they are asking that we put in a rainwater tank and some guttering. They want some desks-or some wood with which they can make some desks. And some ply and black paint to make blackboards.

Transport and import duty is always the problem with getting donated stuff up here from Oz. And sometimes distribution,(although in this case that's taken care of). Rick what sort of books do you have?-suitable for primary school kids? I am about to bring a new employee up here from Cairns. We allow a 20' container of personal effects. When we came up here we only 3/4 filled the container with our own stuff, so we packed the remainder out with books and clothes donated by a local church group, and we've been distributing that to some local churches and schools as we get to know who's who. Maybe if we could get your books up to Cairns our new employee could include them with his own stuff.

Here are some ore photos of the school. 180 kids, 4 teachers. pretty basic.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.223834661064818.45599.100003148587462&type= 1&l=406283d1a0

[Phil Y]

That looks like an Elementary School - not the same as a US elementary school. These are for very young kids and the teaching is in local language and English. All primary schools in PNG teach only in English. Elementary schools are built by locals and the teacher is also a local, trained in teaching methods through courses provided by the National Dept Ed. I'd guess this school is one of those.

Rick

10/10 Rick. That building is the elementary school-It houses prep and years 1 and 2. Right next door, part of the same institution, is the primary school, which at this stage has 2 year 3 classes and 2 year 4 classes.

[PeterSibley]

If there's any cunning way to organise transport or at least make it reasonable we could come up with library and possibly pre school supplies. I could certainly ask around .

[RFNK]

Right, a lot of Elementary Schools have been built on the grounds of primary schools but a lot are in villages without primary schools too. We just closed a special school which had a pretty big collection of books and games etc. The other special schools took whatever they could use but there's still quite a lot of stuff left and a lot of it would suit your purposes I think. There'd be about half a dozen cartons - I'll throw in whatever books, games etc. that I think could be useful for the elementary school or the primary school. I'll pack it up and put a packing slip with each box. When is your colleague going to Cairns?

Our furniture people always have surplus school furniture. The big issue would be getting it all there, of course. Elementary school kids are usually happy to sit on the ground so low tables, mats etc. are fine unless they've built the school in a swamp - that does happen! I can get some tables and desks but I have no idea how to get them to PNG. I can't help thinking it would be cheaper to get a mill in Lae to knock up some suitable benches. But let me know if getting furniture here might help.

By the way, the Elementary School initiative came from the Elementary School Project - one of the good things that AusAid has achieved up there. Good of you and your company to be helping out with this Phil!

Rick

[Phil Y]

Thanks Rick-I agree, tables etc are probably best sourced locally-I'm thinking if I can get some fairly thick ply locally, I can cut out some shapes on my band saw and or jigsaw, and the parents can have a bit of a working bee and knock them together, like kits. You can see what the school has in the pic above. The gear left over from the special school sounds perfect. The guy in Cairns is a new recruit-we've just made an offer. With work permit and visa processes it will be a couple of months before he can come here-maybe 4-6 weeks before he packs his container to ship here. I'll check with him if he's happy to bring some stuff up, and assuming he is, I'm sure we can organise a courier from your place to his. Peter, same, if you are able to gather some stuff, we could send it up to Cairns and add it to the new guy's container. I'll need to find out how much space he thinks he might have. We packed about 40 or so boxes of donated stuff in ours, some book boxes, some tea chest sized. Lots of good stuff.-We also found out what happens to the stuff that gets confiscated in airports-we brought up about 1000 pairs of scissors, heaps of multi tools, pocket knives, all manner of little hand tools. Kinda hard to give it all away, but we thought we should.

[WX]

Thanks Rick-I agree, tables etc are probably best sourced locally-I'm thinking if I can get some fairly thick ply locally, I can cut out some shapes on my band saw and or jigsaw, and the parents can have a bit of a working bee and knock them together, like kits. You can see what the school has in the pic above. The gear left over from the special school sounds perfect. The guy in Cairns is a new recruit-we've just made an offer. With work permit and visa processes it will be a couple of months before he can come here-maybe 4-6 weeks before he packs his container to ship here. I'll check with him if he's happy to bring some stuff up, and assuming he is, I'm sure we can organise a courier from your place to his. Peter, same, if you are able to gather some stuff, we could send it up to Cairns and add it to the new guy's container. I'll need to find out how much space he thinks he might have. We packed about 40 or so boxes of donated stuff in ours, some book boxes, some tea chest sized. Lots of good stuff.-We also found out what happens to the stuff that gets confiscated in airports-we brought up about 1000 pairs of scissors, heaps of multi tools, pocket knives, all manner of little hand tools. Kinda hard to give it all away, but we thought we should.

The kids are going to think it's xmas, this is a wonderful idea.

[RFNK]

Great Phil, I'll box up the books etc. and have them ready. You'll find that the elementary school won't have anything to keep books in and in that climate, they fall apart and get eaten very quickly. They also get stolen. Steel cabinets are the best storage and these can sometimes be available from local suppliers but it would be worth checking with the primary section to see if they have secure storage - they probably do.

Rick

[Phil Y]

They certainly don't have secure storage. I think it is fair to say that the books will have a limited shelf life.

[Phil Y]

Pulled these out of storage today-some of the stuff we brought up with us. I'm going to the 'grand opening" of another little elementary school just down the road tomorrow-will give them this stuff to help them along.

[The Bigfella]

You're starting a casino?

[RFNK]

Well, they're going to love that stuff Phil - expect to see lots of big smiles!

Rick

[RFNK]

Here's the perfect boat for a pushy person with time on their hands:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/33ft-1948...item3f161bbce4

Rick

[purri]

^ I remember her from Jorgensens Timber Yard around the corner of Peacock Point East Balmain in the late 60s, thence at Snails Bay a bit further along up the creek. The timber barge tugs were known generically as the Lane Cove Yacht Squadron and the barges as the Black Armada. I'd advise caution.

[Phil Y]

A 6 par what?

[johnno]

Anyone watching America's Cup on Youtube?..bloody windy today in Naples.

[WX]

I haven't watched an AC since the 80s...not since a certain country used a cat to win.

[skuthorp]

Neither me, a completely irrelevant event devalued by hubris. Not that it had been what you would call 'clean' for decades.

[johnno]

Neither me, a completely irrelevant event devalued by hubris. Not that it had been what you would call 'clean' for decades.

I should have known I'd get some negative comments for posting that. Never mind, you missed some great sailing in some wonderful boats.

[Larks]

I should have known I'd get some negative comments for posting that. Never mind, you missed some great sailing in some wonderful boats.

I didn't realise that it was back on, I need to get the events into my diary. It does make fore some exciting viewing and I enjoyed watching the last series.

[The Bigfella]

Yep... I'm a fan. Its good to see multihulls achieve their rightful place too.

[johnno]

For those interested, it's on again tonight our time around 10pm or so. Match racing day today in Naples. Two fleet races last night in strong winds and very choppy seas. Three aussie skippers involved I think. Oh and lots of those darned New Zealanders

[The Bigfella]

Brilliant. Nothing better than a beast on the water

[Larks]

I have a friend working on the logistics side of the cup, Ian Murrays' off sider, up until just before Christmas he was very confident (ie 90% sure) that we were going to get one of the heats here on the Gold Coast and it looked very likely that he'd be able to get me a couple of rides on one of those things. I'm not sure why they pulled out of the GC but I'd love to have a go on one of them!!

[johnno]

I have a friend working on the logistics side of the cup, Ian Murrays' off sider, up until just before Christmas he was very confident (ie 90% sure) that we were going to get one of the heats here on the Gold Coast and it looked very likely that he'd be able to get me a couple of rides on one of those things. I'm not sure why they pulled out of the GC but I'd love to have a go on one of them!!

Yup, it's a real pity we didn't manage to get a team up in the end..it was looking okay until around May from memory then they just couldn't get an entry together. Wouldn't it have been terrific off the Gold Coast. Would they have sailed it on the Broadwater?

[Larks]

Yup, it's a real pity we didn't manage to get a team up in the end..it was looking okay until around May from memory then they just couldn't get an entry together. Wouldn't it have been terrific off the Gold Coast. Would they have sailed it on the Broadwater?

I don't know actually, I think they had a couple of courses in mind so it may have been both inside and outside the briadwater, though I don't really think the broadwater would be wide enough for a decent course.

[PeterSibley]

How about Moreton Bay?

[Larks]

How about Moreton Bay?

I think the attraction to the GC at the time was the proximity of infrastructure, accom', entertainment etc to the race venues. I do now recall the main reason behind it not coming here: Anna Blight wouldn't provide the funding that it required, I don't know why Ian Murray didn't kick up a stink Federally...(or perhaps he did and got a knock back there as well.)

[The Bigfella]

Oops... politics rears its ugly head

[m2c1Iw]

I think the attraction to the GC at the time was the proximity of infrastructure, accom', entertainment etc to the race venues. I do now recall the main reason behind it not coming here: Anna Blight wouldn't provide the funding that it required, I don't know why Ian Murray didn't kick up a stink Federally...(or perhaps he did and got a knock back there as well.)

They couldn't find a big enough spectator boat for the pollies.

[PeterSibley]

Get below you two!

Moreton Bay would be an excellent venue for sailing ... but it's not just about sailing , lots of hoopla and place to be seen ..

[johnno]

The best thing about the new format is the proximity of the boats to the spectators, mostly for at least part of the course, only 50-100 metres off shore, and always lots of viewing positions relatively close to the shoreline. Need deep water close to the shore for that. The Broadwater and Moreton Bay can't really provide it. Might almost be better off the ocean beach just beyond the breakers. Of course, Poona would be perfect

[skuthorp]

Didn't mean to be a hobble de hoy Johnno, but though I've owned 3 different cats and enjoyed them I think that the Cup is a besmirched item. I suppose that's a bit silly really.
Had a 4 hour paddle today,

On the pic, Corinella point, Pelican Island, French Island, (the big one) Elisabeth Island (middle left) and return. One paddler got very tired and the return was slow. I'm planning an 8 hour trip, probably next spring as I will try to find a couple of others.

[The Bigfella]

Yes

[johnno]

Didn't mean to be a hobble de hoy Johnno, but though I've owned 3 different cats and enjoyed them I think that the Cup is a besmirched item. I suppose that's a bit silly really.

I think they are trying to begin again with a clean slate, because the recent past has been a disaster, I agree. They want court battles, rule trickery, excessive funding requirements, and distant views of three hour match races ten miles off-shore in the fog to be a thing of the past.

I had a hefty dose of the skeptics when this series first started around June last year. Was sad to see monohulls go, and I still don't like the rather juvenile hype that is in a lot of the coverage. But I was truly converted after watching the first races. They are great to watch, extremely skilful in both fleet and match racing versions, and quite sophisticated in the way they can move the courses around mid-race to make sure of an even playing field.

On the other hand, I did love watching the old races in the fog at 3am in the morning

[purri]

BTW some very tasty hog deer on French Island...

[PeterSibley]

Here's a project! It looks as though it has had an interesting past and may have been quite nice at one stage .
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/33ft-TIMB...item3f161af3eb

[Larks]

Here's a project! It looks as though it has had an interesting past and may have been quite nice at one stage .
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/33ft-TIMB...item3f161af3eb

Lovely shape. I reckon I'd be having a closer look at her if I was in Sydney.

[The Bigfella]

Now there's a concept... a 33' putt putt

[PeterSibley]

Now there's a concept... a 33' putt putt

A 20 hp diesel and room for a few guests, maybe a big canopy .Yep, it could be very good .

[skuthorp]

Paddled the kayak, in company, from Inverloch out into Bass Strait today beyond Eagles Nest rock and out to sea. This is an important fossil site. http://museumvictoria.com.au/discove...h-fossil-site/


Big long slow 15-20 ft swells, like something breathing beneath you but quite stable. You can really sense the power of it even at rest. Came across the Enterprise with a holiday crowd aboard sailing out of Port Phillip. Some interesting comments from a small sailing ship looking down on 4 kayaks. Great weather, blew up as we paddled back and we came home with wind assist and surfed the swell into the inlet. Five hours on the water.

[johnno]

Fleet racing about to start in Naples ....... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRaPR...feature=relmfu Forecast for tomorrow is 35 knots.

[gypsie]

Isn't Huon the king of all boat timbers ever .... ever?

apart from you can't really get it anymore that is.

[gypsie]

Isn't Huon the king of all boat timbers ever .... ever?

apart from you can't really get it anymore that is.

ooops, i was responding to a post from last month, on the worng page.

[m2c1Iw]

Fleet racing about to start in Naples ....... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRaPR...feature=relmfu Forecast for tomorrow is 35 knots.

What does the bloke on the stern tramp do....tactition? Assume the skipper is on the helm.

[WX]

Two days to the pour and we've got rain right to Tuesday at least. I think I'm going to have to put some sort of shelter over the mold and melter so I can get it done.
Playing around with my wood lathe today making wooden plugs for the ends of the bamboo battens. The ones I have made slot into the ends with a bit proud that will have a hole through them for the sail tensioning lines. However I've realised I don't need the proud bit, all I need to do is glue the plug in and drill a hole through and bamboo and the plug...much neater.

[johnno]

He/she is basically an observer..along for the race.

[m2c1Iw]

He/she is basically an observer..along for the race.

Ah for protests and the like?

[johnno]

No, they belong to the team. Often it's the owner, or some guest, charity winner, promotion, etc. They aren't allowed to participate at all...might be needed for ballast, not sure on that.

[skuthorp]

In the days when I sailed a Paper Tiger, often one up, if the wind looked tricky you'd walk along the beach and look for a girl the right ballast weight for the day. Sometimes she turned out to be the right weight for the night as well.

[m2c1Iw]

Gotta say the boats the racing and the coverage are all spectacular.