School's Out!

Harvey Primary School is a wonderful school.  As parents, we are pleased that it provided such an excellent school year for our boys.  Below are two reasons why - on the left is Mrs. Duff, Caleb's year 1 teacher and on the right is Mrs. Bayliss, Jackson's kindy teacher.

The last day of school for the year was Wednesday, 12th December and this school year was a most memorable one.  We have a few more blog entries before we close out on our exchange, so please keep looking us up for a few more weeks yet.  [Note: This entry is also a work in progress, so come back again to see a final product.]

Every day and several times a day, Mr. Walker would see skinks in the school yard sunning themselves.  Just one of many things that will provide lasting memories of Harvey and of Western Australia.

The second last day at Harvey Senior High School for the year 8's and 9's was an activity day.  Students rotated through three activities is the morning - Wii Competition, Sumo Wrestling, and a Quiz Show.  Lunch was an Aussie essential - the sausage sizzle.

Then off to the outdoor pool for a swim, games, and inflatable obstacle course for the rest of the afternoon.  Students had to fight off some teachers to get their turns on the obstacle course.

The year 10's finished regular classes in week 4 of term four and then had opportunity to continue learning by take some excellent endorsed programs.  Students were intensly instructed durings periods 1 to 4, Monday to Thursday.  Some options included first aid, skipper's ticket, driver's education, O H & S and others.  In period 5, year 10's signed up for some  less structured activity based programs, such as movie making.  Below is the product of 3 weeks of Mr. Newton and students's hard work - a zombie film with a cameo appreance of an imported actor from Canada.  Enjoy!

If you can't watch the youtube video above, then click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBk447iuZho&list=UUqenJT9CRHvdiKWVMOQzCeg&index=1&feature=plcp

Rewarding Days of Summer

The last weekend in Harvey before we board our flight home to Canada was spent at Binningup Beach.  The Indian Ocean coastline is only about 20 km from town and is used quite frequently by locals for fishing, swimming, surfing/ bodyboarding, and soaking up the sun.  One thing we have noticed on the Aussie beach is that if guys weren't in boardies (surf shorts) they were wearing short shorts instead.  As you can see wee Jackson joined in with his wee speedos.  The Newton family had a going away bbq for us and brought out the fishing rods to have a go.  Caleb caught the first fish within the first few minutes of throwing in the hook.  Unfortunately, it was a small puffer fish and they're poisonous.  But, the look of satisfaction on his face after catching that fish was worth all the fish in the sea. 

In the hour that we went fishing we didn't catch any keepers, but 6 fish (3 pufferfish, 2 yellow fin bream, 1 whiting) was still pretty fun.  Plus, Collin was glad to have finally gone beach fishing in Australia.  Pretty good way to spend your birthday - on the beach with +30 degrees temps.  Better than some birthday parties in his youth when invited guests had to spend the night because of terrible blizzards!

Our Children had a fantastic year at Harvey Primary School.  Both boys enjoyed their year groups, loved their teachers, made good friendships, and learned copius amounts of the Australian curriculum.  At the last school assembly of the year, Caleb was awarded an Endevour Award for  'demostrating the virtues of persistence, determination, patience and commitment'.  Two very proud parents were in the crowd thinking to themselves - which side does he take after? 

Jackson also was given going away gifts and a 100% attendance certificate for his days at Kindy.  After going to school 3 days a week here in Harvey, he might become a little bored with only 1 afternoon a week playschool back in Lloydminster.  Oh well, Becky will have to put on her Mrs. Walker, Kindy Teacher hat a little more often.

Bunbury Santa Claus Parade

Last Sunday might of been one our last times to go to the beach.  We sure have enjoyed living near the coast and it's endless supply of beaches. This picture was taken in Bunbury at Hungry Hallow, an excellent swimming beach nestled between two reefs.   In Australia, the first day of summer starts on 1 December; and we wanted to make the most the summer heat before heading home to much colder climes.  And no better way to do that than attend a Christmas parade and see how the folks down under celebrate the festive season!

There was a street festival with market stalls, music, kids activities, a small side show alley, kite flying and a grand stand showcasing local talent singing, dancing, carolling, and joking the afternoon away. 

To the right are gingerbread stars to be decorated and later eaten.  Below is a game of chance - drop a ball in the clown's mouth to win a prize.  We didn't stop there as it would be just another thing to pack.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me... three musicians playing jingle bells, two little boys wanting lots of presents, and a silly Christmas tree. 

The main event and what every little girl and boy was waiting for... the Santa Claus parade. 

First the police, then Girls in Utes to lead the charge down main street.

Dolphy from the Dolphin Discovery Centre joined in as well.  Earlier in the day we saw three of his wild cousins close to shore while we're swimming.

And only a fleeting glimpse of old St. Nick riding in a convertible.  Still not sure if Santa was wearing shorts during his Australian appearance or not?

Note:  If you look back three blog entries you may notice a new one titled, Signs That You Are Not In Canada.  We started it awhile ago, but only had it saved as a draft.  We recently published it, but the original creation date remained.

Scitech and Canoes

SCITECH SCIENCE EXHIBIT PERTH

Caleb had suggested that we should check out Scitech after two traveling exhibits stopped in Harvey over the past few months.  So we did.  And it was so exciting and interactive that we stayed at the science centre for more than four hours.  We even went back to the car to get our picnic lunch to eat inside.

Welcome to Scitech, we will now take your heat image photo.  Is there any place our kids won't climb?  Well, it might as well be safely on a climbing wall.

Scitech had a Search and Rescue exhibit.  It had numerous interactive displays explaining the science behind fire fighting, ocean and surf rescues, knots, pulleys and ropes, mapping and coordinates, canyon rescues, television news reporting and much more.  As you can see the boys were ecstatic about jumping into the 'sea' of balls.

Jackson: "Help me! I am drowning in the sea!
Caleb: "Just wait, I got to help this kid into the life raft first."

 CONSTRUCTION ZONE

Another section had an area especially made for 4 to 7 year olds to play.  The most fun was had using pulleys, inclines, chutes, wheelbarrows and foam bricks to build to wall.  Demolition was just as fun watching them smash down the foam bricks to start again.

CANOEING THE SWAN RIVER
On Sunday our hosts, Pam and Steve, took us out canoeing on the Swan River.  Pam and Steve are friends of the Spraggs and have graciously hosted us Walkers on numerous occasions.  A special thanks goes to them for all the welcoming hospitality they have given us during our stays in Perth.  It was an early paddle as we had eaten breakfast, loaded and unloaded the canoes, paddled for an hour, and were back to the house by 9 am.  The boys did so well as they were entertained and sat still for the entire ride.

MUSEUM OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
On the way home, we also stopped at the WA Museum to check out the Aboriginal exhibit that was closed during our previous visit. 

ORIGINAL NOONGAR MIA MIA
The traditional shelter of the local aboriginal people and
a kangaroo cape to keep them warm during the winter months.

The original boomerang (and not those touristy ones found in the shops)
and some spears, throwing sticks, and spear throwers as well.

From Blues of Bridgetown to Fremantle Markets

Blues of Bridgetown - Blues Music and Street Festival

On Saturday 12th November we drove 130 km south past apple orchards and wineries, crossed a few rivers to get to the forested and hilly town of Bridgetown.  Each year it hosts a music festival dedicated to the blues which attracts thousands of spectators.  The main street downtown was only for buskers, street performers, musicians, fashion/ food/ trinkets stalls and of course tourists.  The atmosphere was electric, pun intended, and eclectic.  We heard covers bands sing - The Cranberries to Tom Petty to Amy Winehouse; a rock and roll bag piper playing both punk and traditional Scottish ballads; Australian blues men belting out the best Aussie blues and harmonica tunes as well.

It was such a cool atmosphere, with five different stages to hear free music.  We soaked it up, unfortunately we could only stay for half a day of the three day festival.

Saturday 19th November - Fremantle Markets

Becky and Collin left the kids with the friendly neighbours and drove 130 km north to the eclectic side of the city to check out the markets.  Great fruit and veg, plenty of Australiana souvenirs, art, and fantastic smells from the ethnic cooking and various flavours of coffee beans roasting.

Inside the markets.

Outside the markets.  Going strong since the 1890s.

A painted mural under a highway overpass brings plenty of fans and his grave is reputedly the most visited in Australia.  This rock icon wasn't born in Fremantle, but grew up there and his parents continued to call it home for the remainder of their days.  Who is it?

View of a lovely lady and some fast boats.  What else could a bloke ask for?

Becky and Collin had a date lunch with no kids.  So we went to a Spanish inspired restaurant called Gypsy Tapas which serves small plated food all made from scratch.  http://gypsytapashouse.com.au/

Tapas are small snack sized plates of French/ Mediterranean/ Spanish/ Italian style food items originally served with your wine or drinks.  We had 14 or 15 different dishes to try over the 1 hour and a 1/2 we  were there.  We ate char grilled local scallops and prawns, pickled sardines, best tasting lamb bastille ever, chorizo sausage, smoked asparagus with sesame, Turkish bread and hummus, curried chicken skewers, Jamaican pork cooked in coffee and pineapples, thick slices of baked feta and crushed tomato, mushrooms a la grecque, some other vegetables and unknown dishes from the chef's set menu. Yum Yum.

The answer of the Rock Icon is... Bon Scott.

Back in April, Grandma Hughes found a statue dedicated to AC/DC's first front man at the Fremantle Boat Harbour.

Signs That You're Not In Canada

The following are signs that we have found in Australia that may not be found in Canada.  Either it may be lost in translation or warnings that native Aussie animals are crossing or something we found a little humorous.  View and enjoy!

+40 degrees in February!
Location: Our house in Harvey during the hottest month on record.

No deer or moose crossing - its 'roo crossing!
Location: Ferguson Valley

New vocabulary for dirty business.
Location: An outhouse in Wagin Historical Village

You would think that that is self explanatory.
Location: Perth Zoo

Canada has seagulls too and they will S.O.Y. too!
Location: Fremantle Boat Harbour

Again, you would think that this would be self-explanatory.

Rare and unusual animals do cross the road in Australia, but this is ridiculous! (Caleb clarified for us that it was not actually a tea cup crossing, but to let us know that we can buy coffee and tea up ahead in a shop. How did he get so smart?!)  Location: Shark Bay

The Great Northern Highway and North West Coastal Highway have such vast distances between
towns/ roadhouses/ cattle stations/ settlements that these warning signs also cover great distances. 
It truly is a driving concern with stray stock and kangaroos on the roads.

A sign at Kumurina Roadhouse south of the outback mining town, Newman.

C'mon old people need to cross the road too!
Location: Harvey (But, found where ever old people inhabit.)

Can you guess what animal this is?  Answer: a bilby.

In Albany, residents have been educated on these noctural mammals feeding in their gardens are not rats, so please don't kill these once endangered animals.