Guinea Pigs & the accounts keep us busy

Photo: Cookies n Cream enjoying a tickle under the chin

The end of each quarter in the year is a busy time for small business owners as we have to submit our BAS reports to the tax office, reconcile the accounts, pay outstanding bills (because everyone else is reconciling as well), pay staff superannuation, and so on...  If you are a small business owner, I'm sure you know what we mean!

It has also been a particularly busy family time with Easter, children's birthdays...and learning to care for two super-cute new family members, Guinea Pigs Marshmallow and Cookies n Cream.

Welcoming the first pets into our family is a big occasion and who could imagine that two tiny creatures would consume so much fussing around time.   Thank you to the RSPCA from where we adopted these loving seven month old sisters. 

If you have read my earlier post about food waste, we now have somewhere to send our fruit and vegetable scraps - with the added bonus that they are 'upcycled' into warm fuzzy cuddles!  I'm feeling inspired also to finally build a small vegie patch to grow some food for the Guinea Pigs... and maybe even the humans in the house too.

Between the wish and the thing life lies waiting.  Unknown.

Live your dreams.

From our Positively Green inspirational cards

Legends of conservation that preserved Noosa for us all

Have you ever sat on the beautiful beach at Noosa or walked through the National Park and thought "thank goodness there is no high rise in Noosa"?

In 1969, Noosa Council had approved a high rise development on the beach side of Hastings Street and in the late 70's was proposing a 12 storey limit on the other side of Hastings Street.  Today, there is a humble three storey limit.  How this happened is the story of two legendary couples, Arthur and Marjorie Harrold and Bill and Mavis Huxley, and the volunteer organisation they founded, Noosa Parks Association (NPA).

Queensland's Noosa and Cooloola National Park region works its magic on all who are fortunate to visit, just as we were at Easter.  Noosa is one of our most valuable tourism destinations in economic terms, but only because concrete development has harmonised with the natural beauty of rainforest scrambling down coastal headland to pristine beaches.

I was awe-inspired to learn that we also have these people to thank for there being no coastal road around Noosa Heads and the existence of Cooloola National Park stretching from Noosa River to Double Island point.  In the 60s and 70s, this area was destined to be ripped apart for sand mining and when the miners moved on, suburban development would have moved in.

The NPA and the people that have volunteered their time and hearts since 1962 are true legends of conservation.  Today, the NPA is regarded around the world as a shining light for successful community environmental organisation.  Unlike well known single issue battles such as the Franklin and Gordon River, the NPA has relentlessly fought and won successive battles over 40 years.

In addition to lobbying, the organisation has a vibrant program of activities including bush walking, bird watching, Greening Noosa and weekly talks at their Environment Centre in Wallace Drive, Noosaville. 

Thousands of visitors to the Noosa National Park (from where you walk around to Alexandria Bay) will also benefit from the recently opened NPA Info Hut and guided walks each Wednesday morning.  Bookings 07 54473522

Dr Michael Gloster, who was President of the NPA for many years, has written a fascinating 10 part series about the NPA and the battles.  These are incredible stories that will enrich your experience of Noosa and remind us all that individuals do have the power to change the world!

More reading:
Timeline of the Noosa District  For history buffs, a thoroughly enjoyable chronology from the traditional Aboriginal inhabitants to modern times. Sunshine Coast Library online resources.

Dr Arthur Harrold was named a Legend of Conservation by the Queensland Conservation Council in 2009.  Sunshine Coast Daily article.

..make it as harmonious and kind as you possibly can...

I am reading a very enjoyable book called Adventures in Caravanastan by Greg Bearup (published by Random House Australia, 2009).  It is the story of his one year trip around Australia in a caravan with his partner and toddler.  He writes fascinating stories about local people in the places they visit.  Reading the chapter on Bruny Island off southern Tasmania, was kind of excruciating - only because it reminded me of how far removed my crazy city life is from the idyllic and simple life on Bruny Island.

The author tells the story of a retired brain surgeon who now lives on the island, and who has a passion for translating poetry from ancient Greek, Latin and Chinese texts and a deep belief in Confucianism.  I am always intrigued by how ancient Eastern philosophical teachings remain so relevant to our modern world - many might say our dysfunctional modern world.

As we share peace and love around the world at Easter, his words as recounted by Greg Bearup in the book hold great meaning:

"Confucianism is about the individual person trying to be the best they can...Don't worry about the big issues.  It's about what you do in your own life and your immediate associations."

"[Confucianism] means behaving properly towards family members and immediate associates."

"I live in a way that makes no imposition on other people and on things.  I use next to nothing.  It try to restore the land here and live a very simple life.  If I have contact with anybody I try to make it as harmonious and kind as I possibly can. That's it."