A Night in the Tally Room

Labor has won the Queensland election and Anna Bligh is Australia's first elected female premier. For the first time the tally room, where they electronically count the votes and announce the winner of the election, was open to the public. Vas and I went there on a whim, hoping to kill some time before watching a movie, but ended up staying for hours.

Opposition Leader Springborg being attacked by the media mob.

A camera man trying to get an overview of the room before the event is about to kick off.

Opposition Leader Springborg announcing defeat.

Anna Bligh arrives at the tally room as the election winner.

Skippy the Bush Kangaroo

Skippy, Skippy
Skippy the Bush Kangaroo
Skippy, Skippy
Skippy, our friend ever true.

They are cute and adorable, but kangaroos are also seen as a pest in Australia. It is therefore possible to hunt a small number of the large-sized species, which exist in high numbers. The meat has traditionally been eaten by Aboriginals, but it is only in later years the average Australian supermarket has started to stock it. With only 2 per cent fat it is considered a healthy choice and it is also cheaper than other meats.

Vas and I have eaten Skippy meat twice, first mince and then later a herb and garlic steak.

The mince had a bit of a fishy taste, which was a bit weird, but it was definitely edible. I prefer beef mince though.

The herb and garlic steak was more of a success with no fishy taste and surprisingly tender meat.

The Great Debate

I was lucky to score a ticket to the 2009 Queensland election debate between the Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh and the Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg. The journalism school is sponsoring the Queensland Media Club, the host of the debate, and therefore had some free tickets to the event.

It was quite interesting observing such a large function with its different players: journalist, camera crews, scruffy photographers, sleek public relation people, politicians and different lobbying groups who had bought tickets in hope of scoring some media attention for their cause.

Queenslanders are hitting the polls this Saturday after a month of enduring the two main parties, Labour and the Liberal National Party, hectic campaigning. Voting is not an option in Australia and people who fail to do so will be fined. It will be interesting to see if Labour manages to be re-elected after 11 years in power. Some people seem to think it is time for a change.
A ticket to the debate was about 130 dollars (600 kr).

The people in yellow t-shirts are a group lobbying for the creation of more jobs. Unfortunately I do not think they got the amount of media attention they had hoped for.
Lady in red - Queensland Premier Anna Bligh was dressed from head to toe in red, including her awesome high heels.

Hege the Fearless Kayaker

I went kayaking. In a murky river. Got stuck in branches. Got wet. Hurt my wrists. But it was actually kind of fun.

I have wanted to try kayaking since I was in New Zealand and was exposed to their numerous kayaking ads, but it turned out to be an expensive activity with prices as high as 60 dollars (300 kr) an hour. But then I had the bright idea to check if the university had a kayaking club, which it turned out they had.

Their yearly fee is a 100 dollars, which gives unlimited use of their kayaks and participation in club activities. As long as you can prove you can use a kayak you can take one at any time to go paddling in the Brisbane River or even take it to the coast for the weekend.

Vas and I have not actually joined yet, we just went for a free tryout, but I guess we will.