Sunday, September 16, 2012

NORTHERN NEWS PHOTOS ON DISPLAY


Photographs covering decades of news gathering in North Queensland are on display in the Magnetic Island ferry terminal as part of the Magnetic Island Bay Dayz Festival. Arranged by the Townsville Bulletin , the photographs cover diverse events. Politicians of various hues are captured- Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke -Petersen , Bob Hawke in an open shirt, hairy chest pose, John Howard , seemingly not overly keen about being kissed by a woman in a crowd (above ), South Australian Premier, Don Dunstan , usually a snappy dresser, somewhat dishevelled , apparently looking for the light on the hill in a rainforest setting. He would be handy to have around in the event of a possible Townsville tsunami ( subject of a just released city council community information pamphlet ) as he once did a King Canute at the Glenelg Jetty  when doomsday believers spread the message that the city of churches was going to be wiped out by a tidal wave. The photos  are arranged on long banners , like film contact prints  , with biographical details of each photographer. The  display is receiving much attention from travellers and the newspaper should be congratulated for the effort. Other entertainment  includes a talk on island reptiles, bird watching , films and a pirate night . A special event advertised far and wide is the 100th birthday party for  islander , Bill Skinner, itself a news event .