Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Kooba Staion Bush

We drove througth thousands of grasshoppers, poor little Camry needs a bath.
Elder and Sister McGrath. Elder McGrath is modeling his fly repellant idea. It seems to work. The rest of us were doing the Aussie wave and none of the flies were bothering him.
Sister Nielsen at the Murrambugee River, it is really low this time of the year.
Elder Nielsen out in the bush near Kooba Station.




Kooba Station Service Project

The museum is now spic and span. We had fun cleaning the museum for our service project.
Sister Solomon and Sister Nielsen clean up the museum.
Elder and Sister Racine working in the porch at the museum.
Dinner at the beautiful Kooba Station.




Senior Couples Conference

We visited the Hermit's cave in Griffith again. It is such a beautiful spot. We are constantly amazed that someone could live in a cave for thirty years.
Dinner in Echuca at Antonio's Italian Restaurant. Good company and good food, and a great evening.
Elder and Sister Nielsen on the EmmyLou on the Murray River
Paddle steamers at the Port of Echuca. The first boat and the EmmyLou were featured in the TV series, All the Rivers Run. We watched the movie and it was fun to see places we had just been that day.




Senior Couples Conference Camel Ride and River Boat


The Senior Couples getting ready to ride the paddle steamer, EmmyLou. Elder McGrath's left arm, Elder Nielsen, Sister Solomon, Sister Nielsen, Sister and Elder Racine.
Reji and Roman cooling down after their practice race. They are racing Camels. Reji has won 46 or her 49 races, Roman is just beginning his career.
The Senior Couples on our camels at the Cosgrove Camel Farm
The Racines, McGraths, Solomons and Nielsens
Shepparton, VIC
President and Sister Nielsen riding "Colorado."
We had a great time riding this beautiful "ship of the desert."




The Albury Chapel
We found this wonderful little Bookstore...Books on Dean
Terrie Klepiak was baptized on April 10, 2010.
We are so happy for her and her family.


Monday, May 10, 2010

Golden Horseshoe Days in Beechworth, VIC

April 3, 2010 Golden Horseshoe Days Parade in Beechworth. It was a beautiful and delightful event.
Ned Kelly himself showed up to ride on the Beechworth Bakery Truck

Beautiful butterflies in the parade.



Elder and Sister Nielsen in our Aussie Bush Hats! Beechworth Golden Horseshoe Days Parade. April 3, 2010
The missionaries and the members from Wangaratta and Benalla march in the Parade with a float about Family History.
Elders DeMann and Cook carry the banner for the float.



Filipino Night

Mar. 28, 2010 was our Filipino Night. We learned about the customs, dress and dances of the Filipino People. We had a wonderful time and the event was attended by over 90 people, many of whom were not members of the Church. We all had a great time!
Several of us made a Filipino Dish called, Adobo. The assignment was to find out what it was and prepare it. Then it would be judged by our Filipino guests. Here are the judges. Our dish did not win, but it was an interesting experience.

We were entertained by several beautiful dancers. Zandra Williams performed both the Hawaiian and Tahitian Hulas. She is amazing. Zandra is the daughter of Helen Williams who was recently baptized.


Cope Hut - A ski refuge on the high plains

Bushwalkers and cross-country skiers enjoy visiting this place, and others like it across the Victorian Alps. It is great to rest near a hut and enjoy the tranquility of the Alps.Brian and Erin Peacock and Elder Nielsen check out the inside of the hut. It would be welcome shelter in the cold winter. With evidence of possoms and other critters, it could be an exciting place to stay.


The Cope Hut was built in 1929, was the first purpose-built tourist structure on the high plains. It was a new kind of hut for the Victorian Alps, with hot and cold water as well as two bunk rooms designed to sleep eight.


Wallace Hut Falls Creek, VIC

Mar 22, 2010 Brian, Glenyse and Erin Peacock took us up the mountain to Falls Creek to see the Huts. This is Wallace Hut, which was built in 1889, was used in the summer time when the Wallace family drove their cattle to the Bogong High Plains.
The hut provided welcome shelter after a long day in the saddle.Elder Nielsen at Wallace Hut and the beautiful Snow Gum tree.

Wallace Hut, built in 1889. In 1993 a bush fire swept through the area. Miraculously, the hut was not destroyed!


Relief Society Birthday and our wonderful Elders

Mar. 17, 2010. Our Relief Society Birthday Party. We had fun and dressed as pioneers. It was a challenge to find Pioneer clothes in Australia!
Elder Okamura and Elder Stone at the Murray River near Wahgunyah, VIC-Corowa, NSW

Elder Okamura and Elder Stone visit with "Cookie" at oz.e.wildlife.
Mar. 15, 2010. Cookies likes to talk and ask, "What's your name?"



Dedication to Missionary Work and Relief Society Retreat

March 12-13, 2010 The Wangaratta District held a Relief Society Retreat at the Homestead in Ovens, VIC. It is a beautiful place and we had a marvelous time.
March 11, 2010 The Missionaries of the Albury Branch Rededicated the Albury Area for Missionary Work.