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I S S U E N O . 7

CA IRNS

Kurandavillag

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SkylineJourne

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The Cassowary Bird Dangers in the Water During the summer months,October - March, the water around

Cairns is filled with poisonous

stingers (jelly fish). The sting of

these creatures is deadly. You

cannot just go in the waterwherever you please, you would be

seriously risking your life. SLS or

Surf Life Saving has put up

stinger nets,, on the most popular

beaches all over Queensland, the

nets are an enclosed area for people

to swim within. SLS has projects all

over the pacific and are working on

protection programs keeping people

from the dangers of the ocean.

There is also the matter ofthe man eating crocodiles that livehere year round! Crocodiles are

very aggressive and will attack for a

few different reasons: Territorial or

nest defense, if they feel threatened,

for food, or if they are scared or

surprised. Visiting in this area ofAustralia was quite intimidating.

Always waiting for a Croc to jump

up behind you!

The Cassowary is a bird thathas been around for over 100 million

years, it is part of a family of birds

called the Ratite Family. There are

only 5 species left in this family, the

Cassowary, Ostrich, Emu, Rhea and

Kiwi. This family is all large, flightless,

and ancient birds. Its relative, the

Moa is now extinct as well as many

other birds of this family. T h e r e a r e o n l y 1 , 0 0 0Cassowaries left on earth. They live

deep in the rainforest away from

people. They are said by many to be

the most dangerous birds it the world.

There are struggling because of

habitat loss, they live in the rainforest

which is rapidly disappearing. Theylook much like dinosaurs with tough

reptile-like skin on there head and feet.

Its colors are spectacular and is one of

the most sensational lookingbirds I have

ever seen. (We didn't actually see one

of course) I hope the Cassowaries canrebound along with many animals in

the rainforest, I wish people with big

power would think to do something for

the animals that would really make a

difference, I hope I can do that oneday

Kuranda is an Aboriginalvillage in the Mountains of Northern

Queensland. there are markets and

shops selling to the tourists who

venture here on the train and the the

skyline gondola. We rode to the

village on the 7km gondola from the

Coast into the rainforest, sailing over

the tops of the trees, we could look

out over the Coral Sea and the Jungle

rivers winding through the dense

vegetation. We stopped along the way

to learn about the unique rainforest.

It is home to the only conifer tree

with leaves. Conifers live primarily in

places where it snows, the needles do

not hold the snow, therefore

preventing the weight on thebranches. The conifer in the

rainforest has no trouble with snow,

instead it wants large leaves as to

absorb as much sun as possible. The markets had beautifulthings, and the Aboriginal village was

colorful and captivating. The Train

on the way down took us over

multiple bridges and through many

tunnels. It was a fabulous way to see a

part of Queensland that most

overlook when they come to see theGreat Barrier Reef.

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The Aboriginals of Australia!

! he Aboriginal people have lived in

Australia for at least 40,000 years. Theylive in harmony with nature, not disturbing

anyone or anything. They are careful to

never endanger species of animals or

plants. Living a seemingly perfect life,

untouched by the new and growing world

of European colonization until... 1787, a

fleet of 11 ships arrived from Great

Britain, due to overcrowded prison in

England, they carried prisoners and

criminals. Many explorers had previously

come to Australia and even mapped parts

of it, but had not settled.

! The Aboriginal people have a

tragic history with the British that

colonized here, being treated very poorly,

as if they were not even humans. They

were not allowed to associate in any way

with the new settlers. Many Aboriginal children were unwillingly taken from their families and sent to missions where it was

forbidden for them to practice their cultural traditions, they were taught European ways including Christianity. The

missionaries looked at this and thought they were protecting these people from cruel and unfair prejudice that they were

subject to. They believed sincerely that they were helping the children.

!A tradition of the Aboriginal people is to go on a Walkabout, Walkabout is when they walk through the outback formonths at a time traveling in groups of tribal members. They have exceptional ways of asking the earth for the blessing of

having food and water, very few things are brought with them, only the clothes on their back and animals skins to sleep on. I

suggest the book: Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan. It is a story told by an American woman about her 4

month walkabout with the Aboriginals, what she learned and her amazing experiences.

! I hope that that a!of the Australian people can accept the Aboriginals, forget the past and let go of the differences.

This would make it so that everyone, Aboriginals, Australians, and many diverse cultures of Australia can live the way they

each believe in peace.

T