natural

Elephant Rock is a well-known rock formation located on Currumbin Beach and is the remains of ancient volcanic activity. Beach goers can climb the stairs to a platform at the top of the rock for views of Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta. Elephant Rock has become and major and significant site for the annual Anzac Day Dawn Service and houses a war memorial plaque at the western base of the rock. Source: www.queensland.com/us/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-5e17e...

Point Danger is a scenic headland, located on the Southern end of the Gold Coast in Coolangatta and overlooks the popular Duranbah Beach. The headland is home to the Captain Cook Memorial as well as the iconic Point Danger Lighthouse. There is beachside parking, amenity blocks, barbecues, plenty of picnic tables and the headland is just a short walk away from the famous surf spot, Snapper Rocks. Source; www.destinationgoldcoast.com/places-to-see/coolangatta/at...

Hunting Spears: Hunting spears are usually made from Tecoma vine. These vines are not straight but in fact curly. To straighten them the maker dries out the moisture by heating the branch over a small fire while it is still green. While doing this he shapes it into the form that he wants. A wooden barb is attached to the spearhead by using kangaroo (sometimes emu) sinew. the opposite end is then tapered to fit onto a spear thrower. On completion, the spear is usually around 270 centimeters (9 feet) long. Spear Thrower/Woomera A spear-thrower is also commonly known as a Woomera or Miru. The spear-thrower is usually made from mulga wood and has a multi-function purpose. It is however primarily designed to launch a spear. The thrower grips the end covered with spinifex resin and places the end of the spear into the small peg on the end of the woomera. The spear can then be launched with substantial power at an enemy or prey. Inserted in the spinifex resin of the handle of many spear throwers is a very sharp piece of quartz rock. This is used for cutting, shaping, or sharpening. The spear-thrower was also used as a fire-making saw, as a receptacle of mixing ochre, in ceremonies, and also to deflect spears in battle. Source: mbantua.com.au/weapons/

One year, two disasters The year was 1918. In the early hours of 21 January, a tropical cyclone crossed the coast just north of Mackay, bringing with it tidal surges of 2.7 meters in the center of town. The force was strong enough to uproot large Jacaranda trees and destroy 80% of Mackay’s buildings, numbering around 1200. More than 20 people were killed and widespread flooding ensued across Central Queensland, most notably in Rockhampton. A few days later, the Cairns Post described a scene of sheer desolation: The cyclone lasted over 14 hours and particularly wrecked the town. Scarcely a building escaped. The Anglican and Methodist Churches were completely demolished … The Presbyterian School Hall was razed. Only three hotels were left tenable … The Star Theatre, the Olympic Theatre, the Star Court, and Theatre Royal were literally turned inside out … The streets were littered with wreckage, galvanized iron being blown about like paper. (Cairns Post, 5 February 1918, p.2) Only seven weeks later, as Queensland was still reeling in the aftermath, another cyclone struck the coast, this time further north at Innisfail. The eye of the storm passed over the town in a terrifying hour between 9 pm and 10 pm on 10 March 1918, followed by wind gusts that blew in from the opposite direction to destroy any buildings left standing. Regarded by many to be the worst cyclone to hit a populated area in Queensland’s history of European settlement, 95% of dwellings were damaged or destroyed and close to 100 people perished across the wider region. The Brisbane Courier reported the impressions of Nationals’ candidate for Herbert, Mr. R.G. Johnson, as he walked towards Innisfail the following day: … [As] he journeyed along he saw many demolished homes, the occupants of which had to take refuge behind logs and in the open canefields. There were 1000 houses in the cyclone area, and in every instance the home was injured or destroyed … The tram route, which runs for 21 miles between Liverpool Creek and South Johnstone, was covered with the trunks of huge trees … (Brisbane Courier, 16 March 1918, p.6) Source: queenslanddecoproject.com/2015/02/25/art-deco-in-north-qu...