Singapore Island state

The Island state of SINGAPORE has just held a rare demonstration over plans that will in their view and mine permit more IMMIGRATION. This is a very small island state and apart from the cost does not need this new proposal by their government. Having served there in the emergency and in later years by visits, I find this obvious as do the concerned 4,000 citizens. Lots are blaming immigration for spiraling costs in living and of course values of properties. The island is well known for very strict laws regarding dissent and control over social groups. Lots of info can be read  on this LINK
Our western society's outlook on life especially American,British and to some extent Australia could and would not like some of their laws I assure you. However if you just act like a normal tourist you will like it Also it is not a large Island as can be seen on the map below.
     
 Singapore is however a great place to visit with heaps of attractions, it has improved heaps over the years. places like their famous zoo and painted gardens are very impressive.  
I should warn you prices are expensive (or were) as is booze, it's only half a degree off the Equator so humid and hot. Whilst there a visit to Malaysia could go on your agenda, prices there are inexpensive. Comments are welcome.  


  

THE MONUMENT

There is an old memorial In a park named after Gernal Putnam, this memorial which dates back from 1908 is in the sacred memory of well over 10,000 men/women and of course children who died in awful conditions on them as a result of the revolutionary war. Life if one could call it living was absolute hell in fact on the old Jersey ship the poor prisoners actually called it HELL. A website with lots of info can be found here another site can be found here with many links showing  many details of the horror these poor folk had to endure. These ships took a grim toll on the incarcerated and claimed MORE lives than most of the battles fought in their war against the Brits to gain independence who used many ways of utilising old hulks as prisons. Transportation was a favoured method it seemed they cared nothing for people in those days at all, in fact petty criminals who merely stole a loaf of bread were held in Newgate gaol or on rotting ship hulks on the river Thames prior to sailing these unfortunate folk thousands of miles away from their homeland. Conditions were appalling hygiene in those days was practically nonexistent diseases spread like bushfires as a result. Typhus and Dysentery were the main ones sadly. Death rates of around 30-40% was the norm and worse for all destined to Australia, transportees to America and the British West Indies were a little better off but not much. Pictured below are two hulks on the Thames.   Due to overcrowding at Newgate Gaol these poor souls could linger for months before sailing.      
 

http://www.mediafire.com/?m9vf9c3su55jzwy

AUSTRALIA DAY

On 13 May 1787, a fleet of 11 ships now known as the First Fleet was sent by the British Admiralty from England to Australia. Under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, the fleet sought to establish a penal colony at Botany Bay on the coast of what is now called New South Wales.

It had already been claimed for the British crown in 1770 by Captain James Cook RN.

When this first fleet arrived it did not seem suitable although today it’s a busy thriving place.

So they moved on to Port Jackson, Captain Phillips decided to name it Sydney cove now known the world over as Sydney, contact was made with a few local natives upon landing

This small settlement was much needed as Great Britain had lost their Americans colonies, there were a couple of French ships loitering it was a kind of race I guess.

Most of the British ships finally managed to get out of Botany Bay and landed in Sydney cove on the 26^th of January 1788.

There are Tall Ships all sorts of things occur on this date on this day in our history, as I say at the end of this blog.

Today this is celebrated by all or most Australians as Australia day, it has been called various names, but Australia day got the nod.

I am forever receiving e-mails when it is the Americans thanksgiving why they do this is a complete mystery, my contacts all know where I live.

They rarely if ever mention we too have a day to celebrate, unless you mention it then it's a rush job.

All manner of things are done on this day in all the states including awarding citizenship and very much more, breakfasts, naming of the Aussie of the year and awarding our own awards like the order of Australia etc;

Sourced from State library of NSW

Remembrance Day 2010

On Thursday yet another day for remembering all our servicemen and women many of whom paid the ultimate price ensuring that you and your families are alive and well today.

The British government called it Armistice Day however after the end of WWll Australia and Great Britain decided it would be more appropriate to call it Remembrance Day.

Here in Australia 75 years on remains of an unknown Australian Digger were discovered and entombed in the hall of memory at our war memorial.

The Governor General in 1997 changed the silence to one minute.

All our allies in this shocking war decided to use the same time and the same day for their soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them