Tuesday, February 23, 2016

A PUSH FOR THE BUSHIE – IT’S NOT CUSHIE BEING A BUSHIE!



History-making female Melbourne Cup Jockey, Michelle Payne aboard winning horse, Prince of Penzance

Graphite sketches of horse and Aboriginal stockman drawn by me
The Central Hotel, Normanton.  It also housed the local TAB
The Purple Pub, Normanton
The Albion Hotel, Normanton
Rugby League great Gene Miles playing for Brisbane Broncos


Michelle Payne, her brother Stevie, along with their dad, Paddy and trainer Darren Weir sure put the "Bushie" on the map with their history-making achievements on Melbourne Cup Day 2015! 

For those not in the know, Michelle Payne was the first female jockey in the history of Australia’s most famous horse race, the Melbourne Cup, to ride and guide the winning horse across the finishing line.  It was an exciting moment, not only for Michelle, her family and trainer, but also for many of us keen spectators, some of whom only follow that one race – the Melbourne Cup.  History most certainly was made on Tuesday, 3rd November, 2015.

Of course, let’s not forget the prince of all princes, Prince of Penzance.  After the horse’s stunning performance on Cup Day he’s more a king than a prince. If there was a throne for horses he’d be perched on it, chewing on a carrot or leisurely munching on a hay stalk; and, perhaps, as a special treat, a sugar cube or two. The Prince certainly deserved and earned royal treatment.

If Gilbert and Sullivan were still alive writing and composing they’d be re-working and renaming their comic opera, “The Pirates of Penzance”. 

There’s a story begging to be told on film about the humble players, the humans and horse alike in the makings of what occurred in the lead-up to and on Melbourne Cup Day.  It’s a heartwarming, wonderful tale. 

I bet Prince of Penzance was happy to be led to water after his gallant gallop. No one would’ve had to make him drink. He’d worked up a thirst and would have happily, without urging, quenched it.

More often than not our Aussie bushies have it hard. They’re a tough lot, but we must never take them for granted.  Everyone has a breaking point. Our bushies are the backbone of our country. Without their hard work - without their dedication to the land -there’d be huge gaps on our supermarket shelves of Australian-grown produce and meats.  Produce doesn’t just magically appear on the supermarket shelves, and yet, I’m sure there are many people who believe it does!

In days of yore I had myriad interesting experiences; challenges I grabbed hold of and ran with. 

One adventure was when, for a few weeks, I stepped in as relief manager at the Central Hotel, Normanton, in Queensland’s Gulf Country - gulf savannah country just south of the Gulf of Carpentaria...in north-western Queensland. There were/are three hotels in Normanton.....the Central, The Purple Pub, and the Albion.  The Albion was just across the road from the Central; and the Purple Pub was just up the road.

The owner of the real estate company for whom I worked at the agency’s Smithfield office in the Northern Beaches’ area of Cairns also owned the Normanton’s Central Hotel.  At the time he owned another country pub in Herberton on the Atherton Tablelands, Far North Queensland.  Because of my previous experiences within the hospitality industry, in one manner or the other, Ross, my boss, asked me to act as relief manager at the wonderful old country pub in Normanton while the managers went on holiday.

In 1989 only one race meeting a year was held on the dusty Normanton track. Not giving two hoots about dust, crowds from near and afar flocked to the annual event. 
 
Because the pub sponsored the day’s main race, as its temporary manager, I was an invited guest. It was my job to put the sash around the winning horse’s neck and stroke his nose.  Bronco, State of Origin and international Rugby League player, the great Gene Miles was also a guest. He was far more recognisable and famous than me. On the race day, Gene was representing Power’s Brewery.  Power’s Brewery now CUB Brewery, sponsored the Brisbane Broncos and the Cronulla Sharks, both NRL teams.  

It was a pleasure to meet Gene, a giant of a man in stature (193 cm /6 ft 4 inches), and the winning horse.

It was a fun afternoon. I didn’t stroke Gene Miles on the nose, but I did pat the winning horse on its nose.

Normanton, in the middle of beef cattle country, has a population around 1,300. The town is classed not only as the capital of the Carpentaria Shire, but also as the Barramundi Capital of the North.

These days its main street boasts a statue of an 8.64m salty croc; a gentle reminder of the largest crocodile ever taken from the Norman River.  I bet the barra population (and blue-nose salmon) relaxed and multiplied when old Krys the croc met his match.  It’s advisable not to dip your toes into water - Krys’ offspring, as well as his close and distant relatives still call the river home.

During my brief stint in Normanton I met many unique, interesting characters – all were bushies - wonderful, honest (but never shy about telling a tall tale), straight-forward, true blue Aussies - black and white.  People I’d be proud to stand beside any day of the week. Folk I’d be privileged to have as friends. They called a spade a spade, but, on the flipside, were mischievous enough to try to convince you it wasn’t!

I loved my time spent in Normanton; and I've never regretted my decision to go there...I had a choice...I made the correct choice. I've a lot of good memories from my Normanton sojourn.

Stuffed Barra: Preheat oven 220C; line baking tray. Wipe dry 4 whole, scaled, cleaned baby barramundi (about 350g each); trim side fins; cut off dorsal and belly fins; trim tails to a V-shape. Cut 2 slashes, 1cm deep in thickest part of flesh on both sides. Stuffing – combine 3/4c chopped pecans, 1c fresh breadcrumbs, 3 chopped button mushrooms, 2tbs each grated parmesan, chopped chives and Italian parley, 1 whisked egg, 1tbs x-virgin olive oil and 1tbs lemon juice. Spoon stuffing into fish; press in firmly. Put on baking tray; brush with olive oil. Bake 10-12mins, until just cooked.

Barra and Vine-ripened Tomato-Spinach Salad: Finely shred 150g baby spinach. Heat pan on med-heat; fry 50g chopped speck/bacon until crisp; remove from pan; add 1tbs x-virgin olive oil; fry 15 basil leaves until crisp; remove from pan. Combine spinach, speck, 100g vine-ripened tomatoes and 50g toasted pine nuts in bowl; whisk 80ml x-virgin olive oil with 20ml balsamic; season; pour over salad. Heat pan, med-high; brush 4x200g barra fillets with a oil; fry skin side down to crisp, 2mins; turn; cook, 2mins until golden and cooked through; arrange salad on plates; top with fish.

Turmeric Coconut Barra: Make paste: place 2 trimmed, thinly sliced lemongrass stalks and 3 trimmed coriander roots in mortar; crush to a paste; add 2tsp ground turmeric, 2tsp ground ginger, 1/2tsp cumin, 3tsp grated palm sugar and 2tbs fish sauce; grind to combine. Heat 2tbs oil in saucepan; fry paste 2mins; add 1 finely chopped brown onion; cook 3mins; add 1c coconut milk and 1c fish stock; simmer. Gently lay 4x180g barra fillets into sauce; cover; reduce heat to medium; poach 8mins; halfway through add 1 bunch choy sum cut into 10cm lengths

38 comments:

  1. Reading your title, I thought you were going to talk about a different Bushie; the swagman. I forgot that rural farmers are also called Bushies, and yes they do it tough! None of the city conveniences, out there they work hard and play hard, making their own entertainment.
    I don't think I've ever eaten Barramundi, in my kitchen it's mostly canned tuna; when I was little and we had fish'n'chips on paydays we'd get butterfish in our paper parcel of yumminess. My mother in law was a fan of whiting, but sometimes at her barbecues we'd get mullet.

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    1. Hi River, Barra is excellent eating. In my opinion, any fresh fish is good eating if it's been cleaned, filleted etc., immediately upon catching...even the sometimes considered lowly mullet. Freshly-caught/netted mullet eaten pretty well straight away is delicious and mullet is very good for us.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  2. For me - who still has a fair bit of "Busy Larrikin"
    in my veins, I thoroughly enjoyed your "down memory lane"
    story.
    As the saying goes - "You can take the boy/girl out of the country (rural scene), but you can't take the country (rural scene) out of the boy/girl." That is NOT being sexist, but alphabetically , as "B" come before "G". ha ha
    Normanton sure is northern and outback and stockman country - but by God you need a lot of acreage per beast to be able to have a sustainable income, and then there is drought and floods to contend with.
    Did you come across any "feral" buffaloes??
    You could have played a "Lee of Crocodile Dundee' fame and no skinny dipping or even modestly in your swimmers in the waterholes, eh? You wouldn't want to be crocodile dinner, lunch or breakfast. I don't believe crocs. distinguish between their hunger pangs.
    Great report Lee - well done.
    Cheers
    Colin

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    1. Ouch! BUSH LARRIKIN. Over excitement reading your report, I blame - ha ha.
      Colin

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    2. I'm glad you enjoyed my story, Colin...I've a few others from that adventure.

      You know you won't get a "sexist" argument from me! lol

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  3. The bushies do lead a tough life. Work hard, and play hard. And don't too often get caught up in the cr*p which concerns too many of us.

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    1. Hi EC...you're allowed to say "crap". I do! lol

      The bushies work to hard and long to have time to get caught up in the crap. They're prepared to get their hands dirty...and do.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  4. Normanton - there is 'talk', just 'talk' of us going there this year, probably won't happen.
    Good memories you have in your post.

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    1. Hi Margaret, I hope you do get up that way...it's very hot, of course, as you'd be aware...hot, dry heat. But the savannah country is fascinating. The wetlands between Normanton and Karumba are worth seeing, just for the Sarus crane alone.

      Thanks for coming by...and if you do make it up that way, I look forward to seeing your photos. :)

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  5. You never run out of truly unique experiences. Your artwork is so wonderful. You said some people think food magically appears on grocery shelves..that reminded me of a story about my grandson. He was very young and helping me pick strawberries. He picked a super large one and proudly exclaimed, "This is just like the real ones you get in the grocery store."

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    1. G'day Annie...I love your tale about your grandson and the strawberries. I bet he brought a smile to your face. :)

      Thanks for your kind comments and for coming by. :)

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  6. You've certainly lived and worked in a huge variety of interesting places Lee....and your drawings are WONDERFUL !

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    1. That I have, Helsie. Through my working years I had some very interesting experiences in equally interesting places...some places I never thought I'd ever be and some things I never imagined I'd do. It all just "happened", I think...not much prior planning! lol

      I'm glad you like my sketches...thanks for coming by. :)

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  7. You are a very talented artist; your picture of the stockman shows a life of hard work, but also a man who seems happy with his lot.

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    1. Hey there Arleen...thanks...I just draw and paint for my own pleasure and it's about time I did some more. I keep meaning to do so. I wish I was a very talented artist...I just look over the fence - standing back in the fringes in hope, I think! lol

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  8. When you were plonking the sash round the winning horse's neck, I bet some of the locals thought you were royalty. The Duchess of Gympie has a nice ring to it.

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    1. I was the Countess of Cairns at that time, Yorkie...I lived and worked at the Northern Beaches of Cairns. Get your facts straight, young man!

      On that race day I was just the normal Noblr Normanton Lady of the Sash.

      I was the Gentlewoman of Gympie, I'll have you know!

      Thanks for coming by! You may depart now...backwards out the door! :)

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    2. Forgive me milady for I am naught but a humble ostler and quite ignorant of the astral sphere in which you swirl and glisten so magnificently.

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  9. Those drawings are magnificent. I love horses.

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    1. Thanks, Sandra. I surprised myself a bit with the horse, too...so I framed it! :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  10. Your art is very good.

    We finally got some rain and snow, long overdue and much appreciated.

    Have a very blessed weekend.

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that you got some rain, Gail. I can imagine it was very welcome.

      You have a wonderful weekend, too...thanks for coming by. :)

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  11. I remember your Aboriginal stockman drawing from a previous post: it obviously made an impression on me. Because in NZ (where I live anyway - it may be different in the big cities) I am often amazed at the fact that the food in the supermarket in Stornoway on Lewis comes from all over the world and, apart from watermelons, is non-seasonal. So few people these days realise the work that goes into providing that food and the 'bushies' everywhere who used to (and probably in many places still do) have such a hard time doing it.

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    1. Our men and women on the land still battle daily to survive...to ensure the greater populace, a lot of whom have no idea at all what they have to go through, survive. They're a hardy lot and we should be very grateful.

      Yes...I have put up my stockman before...I thought he fitted into this story...as I met a few similar to him when I was at the pub in Normanton.

      Thanks for coming by, Graham. :)

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  12. Love the horse's name! Great drawings!

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    1. It was a wonderful finish to a wonderful race, Lynn.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  13. Good people or no if they have crocodiles I avoid it!

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    1. Well, you'd better avoid the Norman River at Normanton, Mr. Ad-Man because it has many crocodiles cruising its waters. Chicken!!!

      However, they'd avoid you if you've still got the sniffles! Thanks for coming by :)

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  14. Wow, Lee, I love both your drawings. You are very talented.
    And I love the sign "Population small. We love them all. Drive carefully." That is great.

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    1. Hey there, Kay. Thanks...I'm glad you like my drawings. I'm just a trier...(very trying some would say)! :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  15. That Barra dish is making me think about opening the fridge - but its late at night and I must resist!

    If I catch the spider the weaves a web between my wife's and my car ever day, I think I may have very harsh words with it!!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. I knocked down the web again this morning when I went to get into my car, Stewart! It's an ongoing war here...one in which neither the spider nor I will wave the white flag!!! He must get weary having to spin a new web every time after I've finished my attack...but spin a new one he does! And on and on it will go...me against him...and him against me! lol

      I'm sure I can hear him out there grinding his teeth in anger!

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  16. Had to Google "bushie" and I'm still not sure I got it right. Somebody from the "bush" country of Australia, right? I really like your artwork. Just curious, did you ever do any artist shows? Those hotels look intriguing. Not your average Mariott, I gather.

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    1. Hi Dave...yes...a "bushie" is an old Aussie slang for those who live in the country...in the bush as the rural areas were called.

      As for art shows...goodness me, no! I'm not good enough to do that. I'm a rank amateur! :)

      The old Aussie pubs certainly aren't the Mariotts, the Ritz or the Savoy...but they have a charm all of their own....as have the customers who frequent their bars. Thanks for coming by. :)

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  17. Lee, I am pretty sure I heard (rather than imagined it) on Grandstand radio a few weeks ago that Michelle Payne has not been able to get another ride since winning the Melbourne Cup. I am not sure why .. a bit of sexism, or jealousy to put her in her place so to speak. I am also thinking that I heard that she had to fight hard with the owners to get a ride for the Cup? I will look it all up someday and satisfy my curiosity. I hope she is given a book deal.

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    1. No, she has ridden since Cup Day, Carol...it was in one particular race on one day that she couldn't get a ride. She had a win at the very important and popular Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast on January 9th, to mention just one meeting, winning the Magic Millions Sprint on Husson Eagle. She'll be riding at Ascot in the UK later this year.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  18. Wow, I didn't know that Michelle Payne is one awesome woman. Women's month this March. This is great.

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    1. Hi Lux...you obviously are not a devotee of the Melbourne Cup or hear, read or watch the news. Michelle was all over the media in all its forms after she'd won The Cup. It was massive news. She's a wonderful, down-to-earth young woman as is the family that surrounds her. Her story of the path she trod to get to her history-making ride is worth reading about. One of her brothers, Stevie who has Down's Syndrome is her strapper. Michelle is the youngest of 10 children. Her mother was killed in a car accident when she was only six months old. Their father, Paddy, raised the children after the tragic death of his wife, their mother.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Payne

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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