- Aaron from Dandenong was at the Oceania Glass Factory (old Pilkington Glass Factory), in the process of closing the factory for architectural glass manufacturing, typically 3mm to 12mm window glass for construction. The issues driving the closure were cheap imports (Indonesia, Vietnam, China), the furnace needing to be repaired, and the rise of energy and gas prices. The factory employed 250 people. Since announcing the closure, Chinese glass has gone up in price. The end of 169 years of glass making in Australia, as they were the last manufacturers of glass over here. Aaron had spent 20+ years cutting up glass and will now have to look for a new job in a new industry. Listen to the closure being discussed here.
Drone flyover of the huge factory here:
- Ross Smith from the Australian Light Horse rang in from the Chauvel Light Horse Trail Ride from Shepparton to Tallangatta. Six weeks and 750km. It’s an anniversary ride, commemorating 80 years since Harry Chauvel died, doing educational talks along the way. Find out more here.
An insight into the important history of the Australian Light Horse here:
- Tony from Singleton rang in to talk about the King Island Racing Carnival he had ridden at, riding seven winners. The horses were taken over on a barge, shipping on and off the island was difficult. He talked about King Island Dairy being sold to an Australian with the help of the Tasmanian government, saving the famous cheese brand.
This video talks about the King Island Racing Club Struggle:
- Jalal rang in from KC in ACT to talk about Ramadan, which started on March 1 to 30 pr 31 (depends on lunar cycle). He was originally from Bangladesh. All muslims celebrating will have breakfast before sunrise and dinner after sunset.
- Marion from Benalla rang in having sold her cherry farm, after 35 years. The children didn’t want to inherit it. She was organising a Women on Farms event, which is the 35th annual event, focusing on letting women know what’s happening in farming. The event is over 3 days from March 14-16, find out more here.
- Bob Crowther’s book “The Wonders of the Weather” the tropical cyclone season in Northern Australia is normally from December to April. The earliest season recorded cyclone was Cyclone Innes in 1973 and the latest was Cyclone Herbie in Western Australia in May 1988. The average number of cyclones per year is 10 of which six cross the Australian coast. The highest number in one year was 16 in 1963. Cyclones cross the coast most frequently between Onslow and Cape Leveque in WA and between Mossman and Maryborough, Qld. Tropical Cyclones do less damage in Australia (compared to other countries) because coastlines are often sparsely populated.
- John wrote about Cyclone Trixie which happened in February 1975. He was living in Dampier, he was working for Hammersley. Construction in the town had been to Cyclone standards, partially due to the managing engineer of Hammersley visiting Darwin to inspect what had happened after Cyclone Tracey where the city was smashed. The maximum recoded wind speed was 246km/hour, yet very little damage was done. He and his family hid in the bathroom in the centre of their house.
- Rocks in Rockhampton rang in to talk about stem cell donation. Every 28 minutes in Australia someone gets diagnosed with Blood Cancer. Many of these people require a Bone Marrow Transplant. The Red Cross Blood operations used to be the only places to be able to register. Now cheek swabs are being used to register, making it more accessible to join the register.
StemCellDonors.org.au is where people can register, if you are 18-35.
- Bob from Flaxley, who talked about not having had rain in South Australia for 12 months. They are desparate for hay and so are getting it delivered from Gippsland, Victoria to the Adelaide Hills, Rotary are donating them, costing three trucks of 32 bales at $110 per bale. They are calling out for donations to Rotary Australia World Community Service, Project 42/2024/25. Donate here.
- Wayne rang from Belladonia Road House heading to Shepparton for the 20th GT Falcon Nationals. He was in a group of eight cars from Perth, in a 1972 XA, yellow fire colour.
Listen to the podcast episode here.
Disclaimer: Brisbane Suburbs Online News has no affiliation with Ian McNamara or the “Australia All Over Show.” This weekly review is an attempt to share the wonderful stories that Ian broadcasts each week and add value to what is a smorgasbord of great insights.
