Lest We Forget

Today I was once again reminded of the armistice which ended the First World War. At 11 am my pilates class observed a minute of silence in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts. 

In my travels across Australia I have yet to visit a town, no matter how small or isolated, that did not have some type of commemorative war memorial. However, it is each November 11th when I watch those around me--whether it be in a pilates class, at the botanical garden, or on an airplane--that I am reminded of just how seriously Australians take remembering those who have sacrificed their lives.

Well Preserved

This week's PhotoHunter theme is "vertical".

This hole measures 1.8m x 1.2m and drops vertically over 58 meters (200 feet) into the ground.  The original timber-lined shaft was built in the 1870's.  It is located in the 270,000 hectare Ngarkat Conservation Park in South Australia.  It is the last surviving well, a relic of local pastoral history, in the Pinnaroo district.  

One, Two, Three Huts

The Australian Alps are not only blessed with great natural beauty, but the area's 200 historic huts represent the rich cultural heritage from every era of European presence in the area.  These buildings, some dating to the late 1800's, were originally built for shelter and storage during stock mustering.  Over the years the huts have remained in use by graziers, gold miners, foresters, government workers, skiers and bushwalkers.

Visitors to Alpine National Park are able to visit many of the huts, as their doors are always unlocked.   The huts provide a glimpse into history, and provide shelter.  Should the unfortunate visitors need emergency refuge they will find matches, and dry firewood, and kindling.  However, some huts that have been rebuilt after being destroyed by fires containing everything from beds to kitchen sinks.

The Wallace Hut

The Wallace Hut is one of the more famous huts, and is thought to be the oldest in the high plains.  It was built in 1889 from Snow Gum Slabs and Alpine Ash shingles.

The Cope Hut

In 1929 the Cope Hut was built by the Ski Club of Victoria.  Early skiers and walkers referred to it as "The Menzies of the High Plains" because of its size and comfort.

Mt. Wills Hut

Mt. Wills Hut was one of the more modern huts that we visited.

A Golden Gem

Like many of our road trips, the drive between Kooyoora and Mt. Buffalo took longer than expected, but we also made some exciting discoveries including the city of Bendigo, located in the heart of the goldfields just 150 kilometers from Melbourne.
We weren't drawn to the town in search for alluvial gold--as more the 20,000 diggers were in 1852-- but instead we were looking for a public toilet. When we drove into town we were surprised to be greeted by wide streets, lush gardens, spectacular buildings and a majestic church. For a brief moment I felt as though I had been transported back to Europe. Before our eyes was a grand and gracious city, but it was just below our feet--in the gold-bearing quartz reefs--where the wealth with which the city was built came from.

Once a booming gold town, where over 5,000 shafts were dug and 25 million ounces of the precious metal were extracted, operation of the local mines ceased in 1954.   However, in 1978 there was an attempt at modern exploration and currently there is some small scale exploration and mining occurring 1000 meters below the town.

After a short stroll through the town, where I managed not to take as many pictures as I thought I had, we jumped back into our Britz Land Cruiser and continued on our way to Mt. Buffalo.

Remembrance Day

National War Memorial, Adelaide

Last year on November 11, while on a free guided tour of the Adelaide Botanical Gardens, I was introduced to Remembrance Day in Australia.  Our tour began at 10:30 and shortly after our guide began to anxiously look at her watch.  At 10:55 she explained to the group of mostly foreigners how it was Poppy Day (aka Remembrance Day) and that at 11:00 we would take one minute of silence to commemorate the sacrifices of those who have died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.  Even though the guide did not explain the significance of the date or time, I have since learned that at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 there was a cease fire on the western front after more than four years of continuous warfare.  November 11th is not a public holiday in Australia but a moment of silence is observed by many.