Thursday, Dec 04, 2008 at 12:10
1987 ... a bloke, driving one of the best appointed army landrovers I had ever seen ... used to come and go from a shed across the road from me at the
Townsville army barracks. Had a minion or two to do his bidding when he was around ... and had the typical, "do as I say" military officer attitude.
Asked around and found out who he was to deserve the specialist treatment and found he was on a native food source project, that was to be included when printing the topo maps.
My first thought was what a waste of time ... not enough hours in the day, to do what had to be done on a military exercise, let alone scrounging around for grubs and berries ... and as for getting main course ... there was hardly enough ammo available for target shoots ... let alone risking an "unauthorised discharge" on a 'roo ... Still, an invading force would appreciate the dietary info supplied on captured maps I suppose.
Most common "story" around at the time, was that he spent more time laid up with bellyaches after being offered "good tucker" from the "oh, so knowledgeable ones" than doing anything else.
Later on, when there was a TV series, I realised the initial military side of it wasnt a waste of time at all ... just good prep work.
Got to give the man his dues though ... was certainly passionate about the use of whats available out there in terms of food.
Plenty of time alone and the rank of major in the army would promote an air of aloofness about a person and certainly make that person seem "eccentric" to those debonaire members of the arts world ....... TV film crews. Enjoy the doccos for what they are ... good scenery and ways of spicing up your
camp meals. ( and thats my opinion of course )
As Norm C has stated ... there are other good things the man has done ... Not being quite old enough to enjoy "club membership" at the NQ facilities he was instrumental in arranging ... I certainly enjoyed the following excerpt about
Pandanus Park.
From:
http://www.vvnw-au.org/News/Pandanus_Park.htm
The story goes that Les Hiddins, who is known as the Bush Tucker Man, was yacking to a mate, a
Ranger with Parks and Wildlife, (a Government body) and said how it would be good if there were a place where Veterans could ‘chill out’. A former Mayor of
Cook Town, Graham Elms, knew just
the spot for such a thing. It was 100,000 acres of land, formerly known as Kalpower Station (alias the Green Ant Block), not viable for cattle and purchased in 1980 by the Government for a possible National
Park. So Les, Dick Shafer and a couple of their mates, tracked into what is now known as
Pandanus Park and had a look around. They liked what they saw. Initially they went for two weeks but stayed for ten. A couple of weeks later, back in Pandanus, Dick and another mate, Jock, were coming in from a night of fishing, ‘buggered’ with their efforts. And just like Peter and the other disciples coming in to land after a nights fishing, there on the shore waiting to greet them was a ‘power of authority.’ Not Jesus in this case, but a Police Officer and believe me, he has a lot of authority in the Outback. “What’s the trouble?” Dick and Jock enquired. “Looking for Veterans” was the laconic reply. He could be laconic as at his heels panted two big dogs and strapped to his hip was a very visible side-arm. “
Well you’ve found some,” answered the two Veterans. “Come up to the
camp for a brew.” “There is a Ministerial investigation on you blokes” went on the Voice of Authority, “The Minister for the Environment heard that there are Veterans living up here illegally, dressed in camouflage gear and wearing grease paint. It is also reported that they are carrying explosive devices and have sentries placed around the perimeter of this property” Jock and Dick, amazed at what they heard, uttered one word in reply, “Bull bleep !” The Police Officer, who introduced himself as Bobby Haden from the township of
Laura, strolled across to his four-wheel drive and, holding the two-way radio, dialed the Inspector in
Cairns. He asked the Inspector to speak up but neglected to inform him that Jock and Dick would be listening in to the dialogue. “You all right Bob?” asked the Inspector. “Yeah Sir. The story is all bull bleep Sir. There are just two old fellas here, both grandfathers, and on so many pills for health problems they can’t even take a drink.” “
Well……stand down on this one Bob. What are you going to do now?” “Goin’ fishin’ with ‘em Sir.” Over the next few hours, Bob informed Jock and Dick that the Queensland SWAT Team had been put on standby as
well as the Police Academy in
Cairns. They had just been waiting to hear from Bob before taking their next course of action.
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338207
Follow Up By: OzTroopy - Thursday, Dec 04, 2008 at 12:17
Thursday, Dec 04, 2008 at 12:17
Apologies ....
Norm C and Jeff H
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