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Deadly brown in boot

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Stanthorpe Cricket

Stanthorpe Cricket

Adeadly eastern brown snake - known as a ‘common brown’ despite its uncommonly poisonous venom - was found in a Warwick resident’s boot last weekend, possibly hiding from the venomous heat of summer. Southern Downs Snake Catchers’ Anthony Adams has had a busy time of it of late, with a report coming in of a snake attacking a pig in the greater Warwick area underlining the threat.

Mr Adams told Nine News, “It was the first time finding a snake in a gumboot, but they can pop up anywhere.” He admitted to being surprised to see the species, as they aren’t ordinarily known for their climbing up (or into) abilities. Best to have “eyes out before boots on” is his warning - and close the screen door not just to keep the flies and mozzies out.

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EVERYONE’S ENTITLED with Andrew Gale

Please don’t bother ringing my wife and I at 8am in the morning. It doesn’t matter if you need a boat licence, driving lessons or help with the other things we both do. We’re always busy at that time. No, not getting the kids ready for school. (High schoolers need to be able to do that for themselves).

If we haven’t left already to go to work, we will be sitting down together, having a cuppa and watching Bluey on the ABC.

Yes, Bluey. The kid’s cartoon. Our grandkids put my wife onto it. She got me hooked and now it’s as much a part of our morning routine as the aforesaid coffee, cereal and feeding the cat.

If you don’t know the show, it’s about a family of andromorphic blue heelers that live in a world entirely populated by dogs. Bluey is a young dog who lives with her little sister Bingo and her mum and dad, Chilli and Bandit. It’s set in the inner west of Brisbane and all manner of Brisbane landmarks pop up in the show. Be it Mount Coo-tha, Southbank, City Cats and even St Brigid’s church at Red Hill.

So far there have been around 100 episodes of the show made. They’re all 7 minutes long and that’s the perfect time length for an active child (or a grandpa) to sit still.

Sure, on face value it’s written to entertain little kids. Probably toddlers to under 10’s being the main audience. It does that very well. But Bluey is one of those shows, if you sit and watch it, you very quickly gather an appreciation that it is truly relevant to people of different ages. It is no doubt intentionally written in a multi-layered style to do exactly that.

Each episode has a fun or even silly to the point of ridiculous plot theme. The type of stuff you would expect from two little girls (I mean pups), having a fun little life with all the make believe that little girls do. Added to this is the interaction with parents, grandparents and neighbours in all types of scenarios. Be it a family BBQ, camping trip and once even whilst watching the dog equivalent of the State of Origin.

This adds up to life lessons for Bluey and Bingo and no doubt the young audience, along with deeper messages about parenting, family and even things like the work/life balance and sacrifices people make to bring up kids. Quite honestly the show has made me both laugh and cry. But it’s still a great way to start the day.

But don’t just take my word for it. In the 4 odd years it’s been about critics all over the world have raved about it much more often than not. Some have said it’s “the best kid’s show of the last decade”, some of said “of all time”. Others have argued in reviews far more grandiose than my mere ponderings that it is THE BEST television show of all time.

Hmmmm….. better than Captain Kirk and the original Star Trek?

I don’t know about that.

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