Merewether beach then Dixon Park then Bar beach in the distance.

 

Celebrate life!  Ethnic Community Council hosted a gathering for dancing and restrained feasting.

What price do you put on community happenings that give us gratituous happiness? 

Central park in New York was the scene of The Gates work of art which was celebrated by heapes of visitors but had a hugh price tag and some opposition.  

I was sorting out the audio things for the TV and came across this show (The Gates), on SBS One. The film had splendid images and music, and the work of art was food for the soul according to one of thousands who strolled thru.  Another said it looked like a car wash - a somewhat valid comment.  Then saffron drapes and Buddism came to mind.  

Now and Then.

A photo of sorts of Maitland Court House and a sketch, of sorts, made in about 1980.

Across the river is a house. A local said it was originally a Cobb & Co stageing post. A shaded side track follows the river.

This is Gresford, with,  I believe, the Paterson River which is providing water for the town and is having the small scale supply infrastructure rebuilt. The Allyn River in not far away either.

Health and weight: My cholesterol is lower and a good combination of fat prevails and statins staved off, but  keeping on track is what it takes and there is hope of that. Someone swore by the eating of beans every day, along with exercise, for overcoming some forms of diabetes. A reasonable endeavour no matter what.
Statins contributed to a dramatic fall in death rates in England and Wales last year says an official report. About 5 millions people in Britain are on statins. Other opinion totally rejects this conclusion, according to the Telegraph UK.

Cross over the river

Maitland Station, on the main northern line, is a kilometer or so from the Hunter river but in the past, flood waters have filled a low lying area nearby and the station went under water with possible loss of life. Since then levee banks are designed to protect certain areas.
Update: levee banks existed prior to 1955 flood and went on to be widely improved. A story around the failure of the levee is that stock had crossed it and cut deep tracks that weaken the wall. Mount Pleasant Street area was largely washed away and water rushed on under the Long Bridge, while the other side of town met with other disasters.   

At the station, a door way is marked and shows the flood water levels. The lowest: 1949, next 1893 and the highest mark is for the hugh 1955 flood. The door way is on a stepped-up area above the railway line.
No really big flood has occured since 1955.

Shoe-throwing 

Not the first time it has happened by the look of this street art in Hunter street, Newcastle!
The object of protest by a Novacastrian during Q & A on ABC TV Aust  - our entry into war - is a worthy target of debate.