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The Melbourne Cup might be the race that stops the nation, but the Birdsville Races is the race that sees the nation flock to one of Australia’s most remote towns. Well, maybe not the whole nation, but over 6,000 eager racegoers transform the 100–person town of Birdsville into a pumping metropolis the first weekend of September. It’s not just punters who travel hundreds of kilometres for the event – with $200,000 dollars in prize money up for grabs – horses and jockeys have been known to venture from interstate and overseas to gallop in the 13-race program. Source: www.outbackqueensland.com.au/news/everything-you-need-to-...

Hayman Island has touched the hearts of travelers for generations. It is Australia’s most iconic private island. Timeline: I. 7,000BC The Whitsundays and the neighboring coastal fringe are the traditional home of the Ngaro Aboriginal people, who are also known as the ‘Canoe People’. Archaeological research shows that the Ngaro inhabited the Whitsundays for at least the past 9,000 years . II. 1866 Hayman Island is named by Commander Nares of the “Salamander” in honor of his navigator, Thomas Hayman, Master R.N. III. 1904 Thomas Abell obtains the lease of Hayman Island and intends to graze cattle. IV. 1907 Abell sells the lease on Hayman and all the saanen goats he had introduced to Boyd Lee for 30 pounds. Boyd Lee was a local legendary character who inspired the author Norman Caldwell to write two books “Titans of the Barrier Reef’ and ‘Fangs of the Sea’. V. 1931 The lease passes hands again, this time to NSW teacher Monty Embury. Embury starts to offer boat tours to the outer reef to zoologists, scientists, and bird watchers. VI. 1933 The first structure is built on Hayman: a biological research laboratory. The accommodation was in tents camping grounds. VII. 1935 The lot is sold to the Hallam Brothers, Bob, and Bert. The brothers establish a fishing resort and the biological research laboratory is converted into dining and recreation rooms. VIII. 1936 Impressed by the island’s tropical beauty, American filmmaker Zane Grey chooses Hayman as the shoot location for his film, White Death. IX. 1938 A Beach Chalet built on Hayman Island: A single-room, timber-framed, fibro-clad beach holiday house with a corrugated iron roof. X. 1945 Hayman Hotel – Lounge area of a Hayman Island hotel furnished with split cane chairs and sofas. For more info check the website: haymanisland.intercontinental.com/about/history/

A plaque records: The first Anglican Church in Mareeba - was a wooden structure built on this site - on an honorary basis by two young brothers - Francis and Marcus Brims, aged 17 and 15 years - respectively. Completed in 1905, it was used - for worship until replaced by the - present building in 1977. A plaque records: This church - was dedicated by - The Bishop of North Queensland - The Right Reverend John Lewis SSM - Saturday 17th September - 1977. A plaque records: This church was consecrated by - The Bishop of North Queensland - The Right Reverend John Lewis SSM - Sunday 17th September - 1981. [Note 17/9/1981 was a Thursday, not a Sunday] No other details are known about St George's Anglican Church, Mareeba. Source: www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/locations/quee...