Underwood - Buddha

The above statue is in the grounds of the  Chung Tian Temple (中天寺, meaning Middle Heaven Temple) a Zen Buddhist temple located at 1034 Underwood Road, Priestdale, Queensland. The temple is part of theFo Guang Shan Buddhist monastic order. Construction of the temple began in January 1991 and it opened in June 1993.

Chung Tian Temple was founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, who is also the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order.

To find out more about the Chung Tian Temple at Underwood - CLICK HERE

This is part of Theme Day of the City Daily Blog Group

Story Bridge

The Story Bridge is one of the main connecting roads across the Brisbane River.

The Story Bridge is a cantilever bridge spanning the Brisbane River. Part of Bradfield Highway (15), it connects Fortitude Valleyto Kangaroo Point. Before the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 the Government of Queensland asked John Bradfield to design a new bridge in Brisbane. The bridge is named for John Douglas Story.

Nepalese Pagoda South Bank

No, we're not in Asia, we are in fact on South Bank the 88 World Expo site.

One of the remaining traces of the Exposition on the former site is the Nepal Peace Pagoda, part of the Nepalese representation from the Expo, and donated to the city, by the people of Nepal, is a traditional three-storey hand-made wooden replica of a famous Pagoda in Kathmandu, it is near the Board Walk at the south end of the parklands.

Lawn Bowls - New Farm

For a long time, Bowls Clubs were in trouble membership-wise as it used to be mainly played by seniors with very strict dress codes and stringent rules.  A lot of clubs actually shut down when memberships declined. But lately the clubs have relaxed their rules and codes and on certain days there is now a younger generation playing the game.

Brisbane Rickshaw

Having been without broadband for three days, courtesy of Telstra BigPond, I am happy to put up a new post.

Brisbane bicycle rickshaw on the boardwalk outside the Cultural Centre

ANZAC Day 2010

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for their countries. Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga.

Photo taken at the Springwood ceremony this

morning by Diane.

Mayes Cottage, Kingston - Logan City

Following yesterday's roof/sky shot, here's Mayes Cottage: Mayes Cottage Mayes Cottage was saved from demolition in 1974 through political action by the Kingston Progress Association. The property represents an in-tact example of early settlement of the region and includes the original slab hut (1873), the house (1887), cowbells, barn and cream shed. Extensive stands of mango trees complement the scenic locality of this property which has views to Mount Tamborine.

                             

Welcome sign

Another blogger in the 'dunny

                        

For more information about this cottage - CLICK HERE

Under Blue Skies Since 1887

Mayes Cottage in Kingston, Logan City, built in 1887 is a Heritage listed building. More later.

To see more Skywatch Friday Pictures

CLICK HERE

Strange sign in a strange place

One of my avid blog readers pointed out this informative information spotted in a Cleveland restaurant loo, so I had to go and capture it. Amazing information, isn't it? Just don't ask me for the real measurements in metric.

Scrap Metal 'Roos in George Street

On George St, between Adelaide St and Ann St, there are some kangaroo sculptures made out of scrap metal by Christopher Trotter. These scrap metal 'roos are the result of a recent push by the Brisbane City Council for what they call "public art".

Rhapsody for a few pigeons.

I am not sure if it is in flat or sharp, minor or major.

I observed these birds (well some of them anyway) this morning from our balcony.

A photo enhancing program did the rest.

Remnants of the old Victoria Bridge

This gate of the previous Victoria Bridge stands beside the current Victoria Bridge at South Bank and was opened in 1969 to replace a previous steel bridge that was not strong enough to carry more than one tram at a time.

Below is the previous Victoria Bridge which I believe was already the third bridge. The second bridge was made of wood and opened in 1865 but only lasted for two years before it collapsed with marine wood worm.

This steel bridge was put in service in 1897

(Photo from Wikipedia)

Queen Street Brisbane scene

Fortitude Valley Railway Station

This is the entrance to the Fortitude Railway Station, with the platforms underground.

Qantas Jet approaches Brisbane Airport

Qantas 737-300 coming in to land at Brisbane airport. over the Brisbane River at Hamilton.

South Bank - Ex Pub

This building before 1988 used to be a pub. Then Expo 88 took over the area and since then it is the home of the South Bank Corporation, the people looking after the South Bank Parklands. The building was erected in 1886.

Smile and watch the birdie.

When last in town, we observed these Japanese tourists posing outside the Treasury Casino, or maybe just with the round 'steam sculptures' placed around the square.

BAFS Building George Strret

The old BAFS building, corner of George and Turbot Streets in Brisbane housed one of the earliest Chemist shops in Brisbane. Now it's a convenience store. 

On the building are two years mentioned, 1885 and 1915, I have no idea what they mean or when the building was erected. Mybe someone can enlighten us.

New Clem 7 cross city tunnel

The new Brisbane cross tunnel opened a few weeks ago. It goes from Woolloongabba on the south side to Herston on the north side, under the city and the Brisbane River. Drivers avoid 24 traffic lights and save a lot of time. However there have been mixed reports with stories of huge delays when a vehicle breaks down in the tunnel. There are also complaints about the air quality in the tunnel.

The south entrance of the M1 at Woolloongabba

Driving from south to north

The tunnel is named after long serving lord mayor Clem Jones OA, who died in 2007. It is a toll road and it costs at the moment $2.95 until the 9th May, when the toll will rise to $4.28 for a car.

New Farm Park Rotunda

The New Farm Park Rotunda is used for Band Concerts, Weddings and the like.

Treasury Casino

The Treasury Building used to house the State government Treasury Department and later the Lands Department. At one stage, the Queensland Premiers Department used to occupy the building before they moved to the Executive Building in George Street.

Since 1995, the refurbished building has housed the Conrad Treasury Casino, contrasting the once political orientation of the building to one full of vibrance and entertainment. It is home to two bars, five restaurants, and eight function rooms. The casino also provides for the Brisbane community by hosting of the annual Groove and Grape Festival plus entertainment which is provided every night of the week. This includes comedy shows, bands, musicians and dancing shows.

Speed limit on new Kurilpa Footbridge

Ten km/hr is the speed limit on the Kurilpa foot bridge across the Brisbane River. Would that be for pedestrians, I wonder?

A reprieve for this building

The Ekka's (Brisbane Exhibition, for our overseas visitors) famous show-bag pavilion has been given a reprieve and will operate as usual at this year's show in August, for the last time. After this year's Ekka, the building will give way to a multi-billion dollar re-development of the show grounds. Although there is talk that the facade will stay and be incorporated in the new development.

The old Royal National Agriculture and Industry Association Building at the RNA show-ground

Hip Hop

Spotted on Victoria Bridge the other day.

Cycling fun at New Farm

Observing a group of cyclists enjoying a late summer day along the Brisbane River at New Farm.

For more That's My World Contributors - CLICK 

Themis - Greek Goddess of Law

Themis is the Greek Goddess of Justice, She is described as "of good counsel", and is the embodiment of divine order, law, and custom.Themis means "law of nature" rather than human ordinance, literally "that which is put in place". She stands outside the Law Courts in George Street. The enscription below explains.

Unveiled by the State Governor his Excellency

Sir Walter Campbell 19th February 1987

Wavenhoe Dam (Lake Wavenhoe)

Some of you may have heard that the city of Brisbane was in trouble a couple of years ago when the main dams dropped to just on 15% capacity and there was talk that Brisbane could run out of water within a couple of years. Government frantically built a De-Salination plant and sank pipelines, here, there and everywhere to be prepared when this is happening. But, mother nature has once again come to the party and dropped a lot of rain in the last few months, so that now the dams are 98% full and rising.

So, we thought we'd go and have a look at the main dam, Lake Wavenhoe. And it was a beautiful sight! We had a pic-nic while we were there, with friends who live in Esk on the other side of the dam.

Lake Wavenhoe is 98% full

Driving over the dam wall

The Spill way from Bremer river

The dam wall from the lower side

Wivenhoe Dam (Lake Wivenhoe) is built on the Brisbane River, approximately 80 kilometres from Brisbane.  It was designed by the Water Resources Commission and built in 1984. Its primary function is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to the south-east Queensland region. 

•  Wivenhoe Dam consists of an earth and rock embankment 2.3 kilometres long and 50 metres high, measured from the lowest foundation to the crest, with a concrete spillway section on which five steel crest gates have been installed. 
• The gates measure 12 metres wide and 16.6 metres high and are among the largest of their type in the world.
• The dam has a total storage capacity of 2.6 million megalitres.  At full supply level it will hold 1.15 million megalitres, or about 2000 times the daily water consumption ofBrisbane.
•  More than 200 separate properties were acquired to provide the 33,750 hectares of land required for the construction of the dam.
•  The Brisbane Valley Highway was relocated to pass over the dam wall, while 65 kilometres of the road and a number of new bridges were required following construction of the dam.
• The construction of the dam involved the placement of around 4 million cubic metres of earth and rock fill, and around 140,000 cubic metres of concrete in the spillway section. Excavation of 2 million cubic metres of earth and rock was necessary to construct the spillway.

And for the technically-minded, here are some facts:

Key Facts

Name:

Wivenhoe Dam / Lake Wivenhoe

Water Course:

Brisbane River

Location:

Upstream from Fernvale

Catchment Area:

7,020km²

Full Supply Capacity:

1,165,238 ML

Current Capacity:

1,125,787 ML (96.6% full) at 01/04/2010

Flood Mitigation:

1,450,000 ML

Year Complete:

1984

Full Supply Waterline:

67m AHD (above sea level)

Type of Construction:

Zoned earth and rockfill embankment

Length of Dam Wall:

2,300m

Strange yellow building

The Brisbane City Council recently moved they're Administration offices to a new building on the block where the Prudential Building and Waltons Store were. Not sure but I think it might have something to do with the old City Hall getting urgent restoration done to it.

Anyway, the BCC now is in what is called City Square. It looks to me when the building was completed, they parked a yellow semi-trailer under it. Not really, it is a separate little building, housing a coffee shop and a couple of small retail shops. Ah, they also left a few oversized golf balls laying around.

The BCC logo is on the building

New Brisbane Cycle Centre at the RBWH

The new Brisbane Cycle Centre is under the Royal Brisbane Hospital and is available to the staff of the hospital as well as the public. So if you cycle to work, you can leave your bike there securely, have a shower, get dressed for work and start your day, then after work, you go back, get changed into your lycra shorts and cycle home for tea. Great isn't it.

Apologies for the somewhat unclear picture, it was taken from our moving car.

For more details, visit the web site of the Brisbane Cycle Centre

I don't understand either....

Do you understand?