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Daily newspapers filled their columns with royal updates and ‘tiny details,’ describing events on the Queen’s schedule. On 17 March on one of these occasions, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was greeted by more than 3,000 women who attended a reception for her in Brisbane’s City Hall, accompanied by Mrs. Gair, wife of the Queensland Premier, The Honourable V. C. Gair. Representatives from 18 women’s organisations were presented to the Queen and another 130 organisations carried flowers and bouquets as floral tributes to give to Her Majesty. These were later distributed among various hospitals in Brisbane. Source: www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/hear-ye-hear-ye-its-1954-and-her-...

" "I am very glad to be with you today and to have this opportunity of meeting representatives of the women's organisations of Queensland. "The wide scope of Interest you represent is sure evidence of the valuable part that is being played by the women of Queensland in this State, and in the national life of Australia, to an ever-increasing degree since the war, and no doubt because of it the influence of women is being extended beyond the home. "This is right, for there is a great deal that women can do in many spheres of public life, not only in arts and in medicine, and in education, but also in commerce and in the business of Government. "Indeed. I do not think that there is any field of human activity in which the influence of women cannot be joined profitably to that of men for the two are complementary, and together create a balanced attitude to life and its problems. THOSE GREAT VIRTUES "But woman's paramount duty will always be in the home and towards her family where the virtues that make for human welfare and happiness have their origin. "It is there that women are not only most useful but also find their truest fulfillment. "I wish you all every possible success in the work you are doing here in the great cities and outposts of settlement, and I pray the family life of Queensland will always continue to bring happiness and strength to her people." Source: trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/212330864?searchTerm=c... The Queen addressed the women's audience at City Hall, Brisbane 1954.

In the beginning… Way back in the Spring of 1882, a group of 150 owners, managers and stockmen came together on the South Australian and Queensland border for the first – and unofficial – Birdsville Races event. They managed to raise nearly 200 pounds by public subscription, enough to draw a significant crowd at the time – but a far cry from the $200,000 in prize money on offer today. Instead of bookies standing trackside, bets were settled at ‘Tucker’s Hotel’ – a dignified affair after the last race was called. What happened next reads like a movie script, and the first iteration of the Birdsville Race Club was born. The community gathered at Burt and Co.’s large iron store and the ‘Border Jockey Club’ was formed, being 42 members strong. Stewards were appointed, a working committee elected, and the next race meeting was fixed for July, 1883. Now, well over a century later, the race continues to grow as an iconic Australian event – and something that is high on many people’s ‘bucket list’. Source: www.birdsvilleraces.com/about-the-races/birdsville-races-...

They Are Living Dinosaurs At The Top Of The Food Chain Not only are saltwater crocodiles the largest reptile in the world, but crocodiles themselves also first appeared over 240 million years ago during the Mesozoic Era. Living up to 80 years old, even today, and growing anywhere from three meters to seven meters in length, the Crocodilia order were once at the top of the animal food chain. They Are Protected Animals After Almost Being Extinct Throughout the last century, saltwater crocodiles have been hunted almost to the point of extinction. However, in 1971 they became a protected species which resulted in their numbers growing drastically. It is now believed that there are around 150,000 salties roaming the ‘Top End’ (north Australia). Today, they are also a high priority for Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors and can be seen in close proximity at Australia Zoo. They Live Amongst Australia’s Murky Waters Although they spend a majority of their time in freshwater rivers and swamps, they move to the estuaries, and occasionally the open sea, during the dry season. In living in the murky waters, it is often hard to see them approach until it is too late. In saying this, they are quite capable of propelling their body in the air by leaping out of the water, and the deeper the water, the more momentum they gain. They Cannot Generate Their Own Heat Or Sweat To Keep Cool Like most reptiles, crocodiles are cold-blooded and cannot produce their own heat resulting in them hibernating or going dormant in the cooler season. Whilst they prefer the heat and live in tropical climates, they cannot generate body sweat, so to cool off, they sit along the river bank with their mouths open. They sweat through their mouths! They Can Easily Crush You With Their Jaws A human can apply 100 pounds of pressure per square inch with their jaw, whereas a crocodile can apply up to 5,000 pounds of pressure per square inch with their jaw. Despite such pressure, they have very little ‘opening strength,’ meaning you can quite easily keep a crocodile’s mouth shut with rubber bands. It allows them to feed on mammals, birds, and fish however, they are not fussy eaters and are happy to eat anything, even a one tonne Water Buffalo. Although they are known to attack humans, they are reported to kill on average less than one human per year. They Are Fast Swimmers But Cannot Swallow Prey Underwater Despite having a heavy set of jaws allowing them to crush their prey, they cannot eat their prey underwater. Within their mouths, they have valves that prevent water going into their throats, allowing them to open their mouths underwater without drowning themselves, meaning they need to rise to the water’s surface, or return to land, to swallow. Although they cannot eat underwater, they can swim up to 32 kilometres per hour and hold their breath for up to an hour. So be careful along the water’s edge as they are capable of ambushing you in the blink of an eye. They Are Famous For Their Deadly ‘Death Roll’ Their deadliest attack is known as the death roll, which is ‘designed to throw large prey off balance enabling them to be dragged into water easily’. Usually, they will watch their prey from the water and ambush the animal, dragging them into the water. When an animal puts up a fight, or it is a larger prey, they will roll their bodies underwater disorientating the prey, making it easier for him to consume. Source: theculturetrip.com/pacific/australia/articles/australias-...