“Land ho!” was the cry at first light from the crow’s nest high up in the mast of HM Bark Endeavour.
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That cry came on Thursday, April 20, 1770 – 248 years ago.
Lieutenant Zachary Hicks made the sighting, but when Captain James Cook recorded it in the Ship’s log, but for some reason it was dated today’s date, April 19.
Significantly, Cook named the point of land “Point Hicks”.
Point Hicks is not far below the NSW border and the coastline runs almost westerly from that point.
Cook only had to sail a little more south and he may have sailed right on by.
Cook sailed north, and I guess you can say, “the rest is history”.
WITS
I am disgusted by the decision of the ‘Gang of 5’ that resulted in Anthony McMahon’s ‘forced’ resignation as General Manager of Hilltops Council.
I am disgusted by the fact that ramifications from that decision means Boorowa has to say farewell to a wonderful family.
For his time serving Boorowa Council, for his handling of the merger situation, for his time serving Hilltops Council, we can only say thank you.
To Anthony and family, you will be missed, but our best wishes for the future go with you.
We all have a chance to say goodbye at the McMahon family farewell from 6.00pm tomorrow Friday, April 20 at the Ex-Services Club.
All most welcome.
WITS
A letter from a good Irish mum to her son serving overseas.
It goes:
Dear Son, Just a few lines to let you know I am still alive.
I am writing this slowly because I know that you can’t read fast.
You won’t know the house when you come home, we’ve moved.
About your father, he has a lovely new job.
He has 500 men under him, he cuts grass at the cemetery.
Your sister Mary had a baby this morning.
I haven’t found out yet whether it’s a boy or girl so I don’t know if you’re an aunt or an uncle.
I went to the doctors on Thursday and your father came with me.
The doctor put a small tube in my mouth and told me not to talk for 10 minutes.
Your father offered to buy it from him.
Your uncle Patrick drowned last week in a vat of Irish whiskey at the Dublin brewery.
Some of his workmates tried to save him but he fought them off bravely.
They cremated him and it took three days to put out the fire.
It only rained twice this week, first for three days then for four days.
We had a letter from the undertaker.
He said if the last payment on your grandmother’s plot wasn’t paid in seven days, up she comes.
Your loving Mother.
PS I was going to send you five pounds but I have already sealed the envelope.
WITS
Anzac Day is almost upon us with April 25 rolling around next Wednesday.
Things are much as we are used to with Dawn Services here in Boorowa at 6.00am and Rugby at 6.30am.
Marchers in the parade in Boorowa are asked to assemble in Queen Street adjacent to the post office at 10.15am for a 10.30am march to the War Memorial where the service will commence at 10.45am.
Boorowa always turns out in numbers to reflect on the sacrifices made so that we can live as we do today:
“Lest we forget.”