colours

Cooktown A peaceful, tranquil location inhabited only by nomadic Aboriginals for thousands of years prior to becoming Cooks Town. Cooktown was later named in 1873 in honour of Captain James Cook, who in 1770 beached the HMB Endeavour on the Southern banks of which he later called the Endeavour River (Wabalumbaal) to undertake repairs after running aground on one of the many reefs that fringe this coastline. Despite the developments and industrial activity that took place, today the region in many respects remains as is it was 1000’s of years ago. By the late 1800s, Cooktown was a busy commercial port which underpinned its existence for welcoming supplies and dispatching the regions produce whether it was gold, beef or timber. With the development of roads and alternative transportation regions south of the Cape like Mossman, Port Douglas, Mareeba, Cairns and Atherton outgrew Cooktown. By the early 1990s, Cooktown’s economic windfalls had all but disappeared. With time new modern minerals were found and new industries were created and our little village sprang to life again to become the capital of Cape York. Pearling Australia’s pearling industry began hundreds of years ago with Aboriginals harvesting abundant shallow water pearl shells from waters of the north coast of Cape York. By the time of European settlement, the Aboriginals had a well-established trading network for pearl shells, both within Australia and with Beach-de-mer fishermen (collectors of sea-slugs) who, since the late 17th and early 18th centuries, visited northern Australia to trade with the indigenous inhabitants of this remote coastline. Interestingly, in 1812 the first Australian pearls were discovered in Queensland waters by Captain William Campbell. The first recorded harvest of pearl shells from Paumoto Archipelago followed in 1814. Cooktown and most of Cape York once boasted a large fleet of Pearl luggers to service the roaring trade that followed, Beche-de-mer fishing (Sea Cucumber) Source: www.mungumby.com/things-to-do/regional-history/

It is not only about cricket, but also about the artistic expression of a young cricketer, illustrated by Esther Paterson. Esther Paterson Gill (5 February 1892 – 8 August 1971) was an Australian artist, book-illustrator, and cartoonist. Paterson was publishing her illustrations while still at school with work featured in The Woman in 1908 and cartoons appearing in the Sydney Bulletin throughout 1912. This led to regular appearances in Melbourne Punch, the Argus, and other papers and journals. Her work saw her labeled by the Sun as "Melbourne's Poster Girl." Her first book of sketches "Aussie Girls" was published in 1918 by Melbourne Publishing Company. Her portraits of soldiers both uniformed and civilian are shown at the Australian War Memorial Canberra. The National Gallery of Victoria and Geelong Art Gallery also hold some of her work. Paterson posed in her wedding dress for the 1926 Archibald Prize-winning painting Silk and lace by William Beckwith McInnes, acquired by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Paterson was the longest serving female office bearer in the Victorian Artists' Society and a significant presence within the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. In 1950 Paterson was awarded the honor of Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, London (FRSA), showing her reach went beyond Australia to be known in England. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Paterson

No summer floral display is complete without striking, sculptural dahlias. With a dazzling range of forms, colors, and sizes to choose from. Dahlias are vibrant beauties. Source: www.gardenexpress.com.au/growing-guide/planting-growing-g...