Comments for At Our Table

Comment on The people of Normanton by Gordon Storer

Gordon Storer — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:22:05 +0000

Goodness!! I was well off course when I mentioned the Savannalander Rail motor. Of course I meant the Gulflander, or as some of the less ‘hedgemacated’ called it, “The Tin Hare”. That’s what old age and not enough Bundaberg rum does to ones memory. It’s amazing how some of these names were dreamed up.

Comment on Droving Damper by Gordon Storer

Gordon Storer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:29:48 +0000

A quite good variation of this damper is easily made by adding a hand full of mixed fruit into the mixture, or the same measure of sultanas, raisins, and currants to make up a kind of sweet damper. Very good with treacle or if you are a ‘gentleman or lady bushperson’ then Golden Syrup or even honey, jam or whatever is at hand may be used for a tasty spread. Any damper is very filling and generally keeps the ‘munchies’ at bay for quite some time. With a quart pot full of good strong sweet black tea it’s great. And, damper, or as I call it ‘bush bread’ is so easy to make that everyone should try it..

Comment on How to corn beef by Gordon Storer

Gordon Storer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:08:11 +0000

To Nadine: I’d reckon a good feed of first cut brisket, served up with boiled potatoes in their jacket, along with whatever other vegetables are available would have to be my favorite during the cooler months. I personally love a good old Queensland Blue pumpkin and bush marrow. All are easy to prepare, with the brisket being put into a ‘corned beef billy’ with a half handful of salt, then slow cooked beside the fire for around four to five hours.
A piece of wire netting pushed into the top of the beef billy is used to cook the vegetables in the beef water at the end of the cooking of the meat. Just cut the veges into large slices and put into the simmering water, leaving the potatoes whole.
The tucker of kings. (and us bushmen of course).

Comment on The people of Normanton by Gordon Storer

Gordon Storer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:50:36 +0000

Normanton, that little town in the Gulf country that brings to mind so many fond memories. I first wandered there in about 1959, then returned again whilst OIC of the Cloncurry based Queensland Police Stock Investigation Squad in 1982 through to mid 1985. The residents are really, “Gods own people”, living in a harsh climate, far away from the “easy streets” of the East Coast. Friendly and gregarious they make those who accept them as they are feel welcome and part of the town.
It was also the home of my old Police tracker, Nardoo Burns, who still has family living in the area. Nardoo and his wife Leila are buried in the Normanton Cemetary, a place with much history, and well worth a quiet afternoon visit.
Another old resident well known to me is Gordon Richards, whose people, if my information serves me correctly, at one time owned Wernadinga Station on the Gulf coast
and who spent his entire working life ringing on that station. I had quite a pleasant conversation with him in the Albion Hotel during a trip through that country in August of 2003. It is a pity people such as Gordon grow old and finally pass over without a record
having been made of their life experiences. The knowledge these old men have to impart would no doubt make our present society just that much more complete. Another old gentleman, White Eyes, first became known to me when he was employed at Rutland Plains, as a cowboy gardener, after becoming too old to continue his lifelong
occupation of a ringer through that country. Again, last time I saw and spoke with him was in 2003 when he was living in Normanton in retirement.
The old jail is a most sombre place to visit and leaves one wondering just how the old inmates survived the Wet Seasons with the intense heat. It must have been a hell.
An offset to the old jail are the thermal pools at the present caravan park where an evening dip was always welcome to us who worked and played in that vicinity.
Further, no visit to Normanton would be complete without spending some time in the Purple Pub. Good drinkies and excellent food were always available when I worked the area. AND, there’s nothing wrong with the Albion Hotel either, another great place to eat, drink, and socialize in lovely surroundings, whilst the Central is not to be sneezed at either.
A look over Krys, The Savannah King, outside the old Carpentaria Shire Council building,
along with a quick snappy read of the plaque describing him and his demise, is to leave one feeling sad that he had to die to a rifle shot, and further leaves the impression that swimming in the Gulf rivers may be a foolhardy was to pass an evening.
The old Railway station along with it’s collection of ancient rail motors and other railway memorabilia, is another definite “do not miss” as is a trip on the Savannalander to Croydon township and back. Further, another old timer since passed over, but who once lived there was Ted May, a traveling saddler who worked around the Gulf stations and over in the Territory. The only man I have ever known who traveled with his own swag, and also a miniature swagroll for his little dog, “Pawpaw”, a ginger/creamy colored pooch which looked like an overgrown Chihuahua. Both real characters.
All in all, Normanton is well worth a stay, and no one should ever become bored there. I certainly loved the place and look forward to another visit in the near future.

Comment on Now what would you like to know about me??? by Gordon Storer by Tony Everitt

Tony Everitt — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:50:59 +0000

Well Gordon sounds like you’d be handy in NZ too to control our introduced pests. See my blog http://www.greenbranz.org/?cat=16

Comment on festa di famiglia - a real family feast! by Sam

Sam — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:26:01 +0000

We so wished we could go to this event - long way to travel from Caboolture. Looks like a fantastic time was had by all!

Comment on Saltwater Dining on Minjerribah by Sam

Sam — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:18:29 +0000

It was the most glorious night - the setting was just beautiful, sitting watching the sun go down…superb food and wonderful company. All the more special listening to the stories. Can we do this every weekend?

Comment on The Stockmen gather in Longreach… by Gordon Storer

Gordon Storer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:13:00 +0000

The whole weekend was terrific. Those who chose to stay away certainly missed a great event. From the toilers who did the setup work, and kept us all refreshed to the chefs who did such wonderful things to our meal, it all added up to a memorable evening. The sound throughout the night was remarkable in that there was none of the drumming or sound distortion so often found at such events. Everything that was said came through loud and clear, whilst still allowing the guests to easily converse amongst themselves without interfering with the main speakers.. Top marks to to the sound and lighting professional. Nadine, and Katherine from the State Library of Queensland, who, together with an extremely able and skilled team made the evening such a success, along with the hosts and lovely hostesses from the Stockmans Bar and grill at the Stockmans Hall of Fame combined to make the whole event such a success. The speakers, from a varied cross section of inland life, made the evening a most informative and pleasant experience for all. For my small part, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and sincerely hope those who chose to talk with me enjoyed the experience as much as I. From the number and variance of the questions put to me, it indicated that people are still interested in our inland and what makes it so dear to people like myself.
The presentation put forward through the highly skilled MC, and those who responded was just great. The information put up by those of the Organic Beef producers forum made great listening and I for one thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great to again meet up with some of those I had known from ‘the long ago’ and to pass the time of day, and also to meet some new people, especially “Ann” from Auckland in New Zealand, but who originally came from California in the USA. She told me that she had made the trip to Longreach only because she had heard of the Stockmans Hall of Fame whilst still resident in the US. Being a horse person, she had made it a “must see someday” and as luck would have it, she was in Longreach over the weekend, and honored us all at the evening with her presence. I hope she enjoyed our company as much as we did hers. Overall, a beautifully organized and presented evening, and congratulations to all those who made it so.

Comment on kup murri & Sop Sop by Reena

Reena — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:14:57 +0000

culture culture

Comment on Bully Beef by Maud Corowa

Maud Corowa — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:19:57 +0000

Here is a hint for anyone who may think there is too mush fat in the can.
Take the meat from the can and place it on paper towels and place in a microwave for a couple of seconds and all the fat will disappear