Shannon McDuff’s Blog

This is just an intetresting article that is going around in the news lately… sad, but hopefully they can do something about it.

article below:

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — Australian media say a lost humpback whale calf has bonded with a yacht it seems to think is its mother.

The 1- to 2-month-old calf was first sighted Sunday in waters off north Sydney, and on Monday tried to suckle from a yacht, which it would not leave.

Rescuers towed the yacht out to sea, and the calf finally detached from the boat but still swam nearby.

The calf appears exhausted but rescuers hope it will continue out to sea and search for its mother or another pod of whales.

“The outlook is not good, but we are giving the calf its only option. It can’t be fed, and in fact we wouldn’t know what to feed it” because it is not weaned, National Parks and Wildlife regional manager Chris McIntosh told ABC radio

I saw on accurent affairs a few nights ago, a incident which astounded me greatly. Why anyone would be THAT angry to actually throw away their medal, and to be never seen again is amazing!

Here is a part of the article below:

Beijing Olympics 2008: Ara Abrahamian an anti Olympian

Jessica is angry about cuts to the music program which will drive many of her fellow students to Brisbane, where the Queensland Conservatorium of Music has offered them places.

“The opportunities just aren’t here at USQ anymore,” she said.

“I’m extremely angry because students weren’t given any warning that these changes were going to happen.

“I would like to ask the vice-chancellor to understand that changes might be made because of budgets, but those changes affect real people.”

Jessica is in the final year of a degree specialising in voice and had planned to undertake the USQ honours program next year. This extra study, she said, is necessary for any performers keen to get a foothold into a highly competitive industry.

But those plans are on hold.

“There is no point in doing the honours program here anymore because it has been changed to a general “creative arts” course (at both degree and post-grad levels) which is not specific to our needs (the Masters level program has apparently been abolished altogether),” Jessica said.

“The USQ has always had a great reputation for the standard of performers it produced that was one of the reasons so many of us came here.

“I have been approached by the Con to finish my studies there, and I know many people in my course are considering that offer. Certainly some of the students feel they will be in a better position career-wise if they go.”

Sharing Jessica’s concern over the introduction of a creative arts course is chief executive and artistic director of Opera Queensland, Chris Mangin.

While USQ and Opera Queensland have long shared a productive relationship, he said that “may not be the case in future”.

“I find this news disturbing,” Mr Mangin said.

“USQ has done very good work in the past, but they have chosen not to have a conversation with us about this decision.

“In my experience, where there is non-specificity in a course, you prepare the students for nothing. A fleeting connection does not set students up to work in this industry.”

USQ’s Faculty of Arts associate dean and senior lecturer in music Rhoderick McNeill denied claims that the course changes would result in a lower quality program, or impact on career opportunities for graduates.

“I believe we will be providing a very similar standard to what we’ve provided in the past,” Dr McNeill said.

“Practical elements of the course are unchanged, and now allows for composition and musicality; the main area of change is in music theory. Students will have plenty of opportunities to reach professional standards, particularly in opera.”

The mixed messages and confusion surrounding the course changes have left students angry and fearful, according to second year Bachelor of Music student Anna Marangelli.

She said with “subjects being scrapped, staff leaving left, right and centre, and classes just not happening”, USQ had become an unstable learning environment.

“It’s just an absolute joke no-one knows what’s going on, not even the lecturers,” Anna said.

“USQ had a great reputation. Now the whole place is broken.”

A common concern among students was the possible abolition of productions which showcase USQ to the community, and bring students to the campus.

For those of you who may have or may not have noticed.. my website fell victim to HACKING…

And out of that, I reccomend people.. not to have any thing in there password that resembles a word.  (As everyone warns anyway)

It’s a big change – (from Sunny old Hervey Bay to the always cold and never rains Toowoomba) and there is one thing that is most annoying about this town. Apart from the fact that you can’t go down a street without stopping at, at least 3 traffic lights -  There is no 7 day trading. Nearly everything closes on a Sunday, which I would have thought is one of the busiest days in town. If people don’t have anything to do… what do they do? They usually go to cinemas or brows around in shops, but apparently that’s not what you do here.

I can’t help but wonder how much more money they would get if they were open to seven day trading.

I have just recently come back from a trip from Sydney - flying from Hervery Bay. I have flown from Hervey Bay to either Brisbane or Sydney a fair few times, and each time there is one little thing which impresses me. When your on the plane, and leaving the tarmat the people working wave good-bye to you. Personally I think this is quite a polite gesture and a nice little extra touch to make our air-port just that little better.

So I was off to Hawaii, first time in America and first time flying without the family.

A lot of people think Hawaii is going to be really pretty with little Bali huts everywhere and lots of palm trees and everyone walking around with Lay’s are there body. However, it’s not really like that. It’s like any other city – lots of houses everywhere and lots of people, and always traffic. However, where we stayed which was Wakiki was quite nice, with the hotel - The Hilton Hotel adding to a great experience.

We had 3 swimming pools – with one only being accessed by those in our tower. A beautiful beach to look over with sparkling water. However, I chose not to swim much in the beach water, as there were signs up warning people of the (little) jelly fish in the water (the ones that give you a little sting) which I suppose we don’t find in Hervey Bay because we are protected by Fraser Island. However, this didn’t stop me from doing anything else. With the weather only ditrubing around 3-4 days of our trip and canceling our trip to the Pearl Harboue  we still managed to do- The Cultural Center, Hiking, swimming with the dolphins, Sea life park water park and so much more!

photos up on - www.flickr.com/photos/benmay

In comparing Hervey Bay to Wakiki it was so different – not to mention Hervey Bay isn’t a City. Hawaii- being America, everyone drives on the wrong side of the road which was scary being the passenger…the busses are typical school buses that you see on, say – The Simpsons…. and there are a large amount of stretch limos being used as regular taxi’s.

I don’t think I would ever like to live in Hawaii… mainly because the pay in which people my age get is extremely low…. which shows how important it is – if you are served well – to tip your server.

Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia…. and after spending 2 nights there I don’t think I could ever live there.

Sure the place where we stayed “Holiday Inn” was in a … ok spot…although I do suppose it being walking distance to the casino did make my time more enjoyable. But while its good for a short get away, I just don’t see how people could live there.

While yes, its great having a big town but the way people drive, and how the streets are set out are just stupid! The poor GSP even had trouble working out where to turn let alone the traffic making it difficult to change lanes.

For those who want busy but not stupid busy – I suggest Toowoomba. And yes, I stayed there for two night’s as well just after Brisbane. They are similar in they both have alot of people, but Brisbane is just for people who know where they are going and don’t care about anyone else.  In Toowoomba case, you could be a tourist and find it quite easy to get around and if you miss a street there is plenty of opportunities to turn around.

So, take your pick - Brisbane  

 or                 Toowoomba

Or if they don’t have what you want….. try Hervey Bay

The fresh, floral air energizes you. The warm, tranquil waters refresh you. The breathtaking, natural beauty renews you.

Look around. There’s no place on earth like HAWAII!!!

And that is where I am going – to stay for a 10 relaxing days exploring the island and the volcanoes!    

Anyway – back on topic:

With my trip to Hawaii only 26 Days away (and counting) I have been keeping a close eye on the Australian dollar to the US dollar. Yesterday, it surged to 23-year high after the Reserve Bank of Australia raised interest rates and investors interpreted its outlook as hawkish.

The central bank increased its official rate by a quarter of a percentage point to a 11-year hight of 6.75 per cent - as widely expected, to fight inflationary pressures.  (And, because of it going up, it has just helped my fight in not know who to vote for- just gives me one reason to go against John Howard.)

The Australian dollar raced back above US93 cents shortly after the announcement and by late afternoon yesterday had jumped as high as US93.80 cents, its highest level in 23 years.  

Anyway, good news for me and my money in regards to my trip!

Some Interesting Information - Central bank data showed  that the Aussie closed at US93.93 cents on April 4, 1984  

With someone’s “inside knowledge” on the Hervey Bay council came along http://strewth.wordpress.com . Starting from just a small website Strewth has gained around 29,000 hits! I remember, just back in September reading this website and wondering if it was just another website doomed to turn boring and to be never used again. But, no such luck for Strewth, with so many people finding out – more people will bring in information and all under ‘secret’ names. It would be impossible to find out who anyone is, unless of course, someone who knew let it slip.

Anyway, for those who are interesting in the Hervey Bay council, I seriously recommend reading it. It’s very interesting to see the truth about what’s going on in this town!