Caithness Down Under

**rich** · 03-Nov-08, 16:32

Given the interest and participation shown in the Maple Soup thread we cannot neglect the great Southern Continent. I know rather next to nothing about Australia but here's a site that will intrigue all Caithnessians:

http://www.tasmanianwhisky.com.au/

**trinkie** · 03-Nov-08, 17:12

I look forward to this thread unfolding, good thinking Rich.

I expect you all know about Donald Sutherland, a native of Wick who discovered the Sutherland Falls in N.Z.

I have asked for a picture to be sent in.

Trinkie

**rich** · 03-Nov-08, 17:34

Sounds like you are on the right track, Trinkie!

**percy toboggan** · 03-Nov-08, 18:02

We studied Australia for Geography 'O' level c.1966. It's changed a lot. They had a 'white Australia policy' back then...they'd never get away with it now...quite rightly, especially when the indiginants aren't. Even back then I sensed the injustice of such blatant thievery of a continent.

Incredibly, the population has increased by about sixty per cent since the sixties...it's a beggar when the world changes so much in the space of ones own lifetime.

From the Gulf of Carpentaria, to the Bass Straits, much of the geography of Australia is still etched into my brain. It has little appeal though ,given water shortages and the heat...not to mention bite yer bum creepy crawly things. We could have emigrated c.1970 for a tenner but decided to buy a moped instead.

**rich** · 03-Nov-08, 18:34

I wonder if there were any Caithnessians on the First Fleet? I have a distant ancestor by the name of Gunn who emigrated with his family to Australia in the early 19th century. I have a few crumpled missives from him telling a harrowing tale. His neighbors were Catholics and passed the Sabbath drinking, playing music and dancing instead of reading the bible and praying. He stuck it out however and was joined there by various relative and I am sure the neighbourhood sobered up as a result. Apparently I have a substantial number of Australian second or third or fourth cousins.
Which is why I live in Canada....

http://firstfleet.uow.edu.au/index.html

**percy toboggan** · 03-Nov-08, 18:40

I envy your 'crumpled missives' from the 19th century.
I have letters from a long-lost cousin in Shropshire, but they're all
from last year!

**Lavenderblue2** · 03-Nov-08, 19:34

This photo is on behalf of Trinkie

**rich** · 03-Nov-08, 22:03

Here are the Sutherland Falls. I should note that in another picture J MacKay and J. Malcolm are mentioned which makes this waterfall a triple Scotch

.Note that the falls are on the South Island which is really rugged country. It's where the Lord of the Rings was largely filmed.

My current wife and I spent a (somewhat belated) honeymoon cycling from Chistchurch to Dunedin. Two things they do brilliantly in New Zealand - pies and beer. Just the thing for lunch when you are rounding up mobs of sheep. Yes, that's what they call them MOBS.

New Zealand looks like Scotland on steroids.

**George Brims** · 03-Nov-08, 22:18

There are definitely some Caithness connections in Oz. See
http://www.spec-net.com.au/company/brims.htm

**rich** · 03-Nov-08, 22:21

Here's the pic

http://www.teara.govt.nz/TheBush/Lan.../Standard/1/en

**TBH** · 03-Nov-08, 22:43

Here's some interesting info about a former president of the New South Wales Boys Brigade and his association with Lord Thurso:

http://www.gordonmoyes.com/2008/07/04/crystal/

And, a bed and breakfast called Caithness Manor:

http://www.caithness.com.au/location.html

**rich** · 03-Nov-08, 22:50

EVACUATE AUSTRALIA!!!!!

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21686551-2,00.html

**Anne x** · 03-Nov-08, 22:59

I have a Niece who lives in Cairns and Sis in law in Tazmania I love hearing all the stories they have kept there roots very much alive in Scotland
a nephew goes over to Sydney in Jan to work for a year on a hosp exchange he is a registrar in UK
I very much enjoyed the recent documentary on Dr Mary from Brora aired on BBC 2

**rich** · 03-Nov-08, 23:01

I think I like Australia. I enjoy their newspapers.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...2/s1308868.htm

This story is classic tabloid. You take a nugget of truth, a kernel of fact, find an eye-witness, buy him a few beers....

Love it!

**rich** · 03-Nov-08, 23:24

Australia - the BOLLYWOOD version.

Fantasic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uMqE...eature=related

**rich** · 04-Nov-08, 00:19

The national anthem of Australia is NOT Waltzing Matilda.

Maybe it should be but its a tune that is a tad dangerous to the ruling classes everywhere.

That's because because of the procession of chords right at the beginning that create this massive tension and up and up it goes - it's like a really great cabaret song - maybe Edith Piaf should have sung it until it resolves so the singer is in a sort of plateau where he or she can basically improvise their own lyrics.

And the words to the tune of Waltzing Matilda are usually highly personalized and not suitable really for solemn occasions. I mean to say, that Jolly Swagman who gets hanged might be a little hard for the visiting royals to take. But maybe not. Perhaps the Australian government has a history of being tone deaf.

I like Eric Bogle doing it, and the Poques. I have a sneaking relish for the Rod Stewart version. But we couldn't do this thread without Tom Waits. Even if he's not Australian.

Take it away, Tom!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBdo4...eature=related

**Tilter** · 04-Nov-08, 00:43

Originally Posted by percy toboggan

We studied Australia for Geography 'O' level c.1966. It's changed a lot.

Tee hee Percy. I did New Zealand for Geog. O level in 1964. All I can remember is it had a lot of sheep. I think NZ probably hasn't changed at all.

**sandyr** · 04-Nov-08, 03:13

Check out badbeafamilies.com...
Amazing site..........

**jock leith** · 04-Nov-08, 09:04

A picture of Sutherland Falls Milford Sound NZ.In Blenheim NZ we have a cluster of three streets .Keiss,Dunbeath,Lybster all named by early settlers who came to NZ from Caithness

**Errogie** · 04-Nov-08, 11:01

Perhaps you can measure the status and health of a clan by the number of names it has goven to locations throughout the world or is it just an indicator that they couldn't get on with anyone at home or got kicked out. Having just found a Sutherland River and Sutherlands Lane in Nova Scotia I am now delighted to see that we have made our mark on the other side of the globe and may have outdone other clans in the name bestowal league table. N.B. Macdonald's burger joints don't count!

I sense the birth of an anorak type obsession and even connections to a whole new worldwide tourist trail experience possibly linked into the clan homecoming year. Have to have a word with our man Salmond and the ministry of bright ideas promptly and "sans peur".