9 days and two homes

Hi All

It has been a very busy 9 days. In some ways it feels like I have been here for weeks as we have been given a crash course on everything Australian. From surfing, to footy and cricket, museums and music, forestry and saw mill tours with a healthy balance of meaty BBQs including the rare Kangaroo. We have been going non stop! I have had two home stays so far and both have been absolutely wonderful. John my first host, a retired surgeon, made sure we saw Melbourne the best we could by train and trolley. Graham "me" present host (everything here is me vs. my) that I am leaving today has taught me everything about the Australian cattle industry including calving and milking. He has kept me busy with chores after our already full days.

We have had three vocational days so far. We have seen a chip plant (for pulping), discussed land tenure and regulations, visited conventional and cable harvesting blocks, walked among the 80m tall gum and ash trees, avoided the fires but watch plenty of new stories, viewed a nursery producing millions of radiata pine and eucalyptus (blue gum) trees. It has been amazing to see the industry down under. It is great to see the investment in mills to make specialty products such as finger jointed and laminated beams for there mainly domestic market.

The growth rates are staggering 5 or 6m tall blue gums that are 3yrs old. For the foresters out there growth rates that have a MAI (mean annual increment) of 20m3/ha compared to BC’s average of say 2.5. Crazy growth rates – trees like weeds. Lots of talk about the “greenies”, the environment, natural forest harvesting, plantation management and global warming. For all the differences we have found lots of common ground to discuss and new friends in the process.

I love a sunburnt country
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of drought and flooding plains

We look forward to more.
Cheers Dave