Australian History

[TheSilentBugler]

You got it Magilla

No worries bob, just didn't wanna sound like a tea leaf.

 

[Magilla]

I was born in Tasmania and should have had the top job but no one would work with me?

 

[Ramjet]

Good question, they went emu hunting.

Following the long hot summer of 1932, wild emus in the Murchison district of Western Australia went on the rampage in search of food and water - much to the chagrin of local farmers who feared for their crops. In a bid to stop the advancing emus along the rabbit-proof fence farmers enlisted the help of the army. Armed with Lewis machine guns and 10,000 rounds, a party, led by Major Meredith of the Royal Australian Artillery, was sent to the Campion district where it was estimated 20,000 emus were causing damage. However, due to the abundance of food the emus were gathered in small groups, most of which were outnumbered by the 50 settlers who had turned out to meet Major Meredith and his men. A group of 40 emus was sighted and beaters were sent to herd them into firing range. At a distance of 1,000 metres the first burst of fire landed short, with the second killing about a dozen birds as they raced for the cover of trees.

Great story.

 

[Magilla]

I did make it to State Premier.

 

[Magilla]

Top job being PM. I also had a bit to do with old age pensions and early closing of shops.

 

[Balmain Bob]

Gday Magilla,
Would it be Joseph Lyons ?

He was born in Stanley Tas and became Tas Premier in 1923 and went on to become our 10th PM in 1932.

cheers

Bob

 

[Magilla]

No Bob, not him. This guy never made it to PM.

 

[Magilla]

And he wasn't Premier of Tassie.

 

[Magilla]

He also presided over the passage of legislation for miners accident relief and shearers quarters.

 

[slowflow]

William Lyne

 

[Magilla]

That would be him. At the time of federation he was the first choice for PM but none of the other state representatives would work with him so he had to refuse the offer on the grounds that he couldn't form a government. The offer was then made to Barton, he had nationwide support so became our first PM. Lyne was originally against federation and campaigned strongly for the no vote at previous referendums which put him off side with the majority. Your turn slowflow.

 

[slowflow]

Magilla, I'll e out of range in an hour ot so. Would you mind asking another question? Thanks barry

 

[Magilla]

No problems Barry but it is getting harder to find interesting questions.

Australia has produced some great inventors that have made our lives so much better, I'm guessing very few have heard of this guy because his invention is a bit obscure but it did change the way some things are made.

His parents were born in London then emigrated to Australia, it was on a visit back to London in 1870 that this bloke was born. They returned to Australia in 1872 and lived in Victoria. He became a civil engineer and received national and international awards for his invention.

 

[TheSilentBugler]

Anthony George Maldon Michell invented the Mitchell bearing, did some work ahead on his time on stuructural optimisation, and also a crankless engine.

Pure googlage, never heard of the fella.

 

[Magilla]

I thought I would give a little extra info because the guy is a bit obscure, looks like I gave just a bit too much. I was surprised to read that he invented the thrust bearing in 1905, I would have thought it was around a lot longer than that. Not too many mechanical devices today that don't have a thrust bearing of some kind in them. Good work TSB your turn.

 

[Next1m8]

I just installed a new thrust/throw out bearing onto my clutch arm on my SS, guess I have old mate to thank

 

[Magilla]

Your turn Silent Bugler.

 

[TheSilentBugler]

Sorry mate, flat out, if you've got one go for it.

 

[TheSilentBugler]

This painting, titled "Northeast view from the northern top of Mount Kosciusko", isn't.

What happened?

 

[nicko61]

it was actually Mt Townsend