AUSSIE BLOGGIN'

People

An Aussie Boating Legend

Pascal B. wrote us "I'm living in the French West Indies Island of St Barth. I just bought Bewinched an Australian boat built in 1982 by Rolly Tasker. Would you be kind enough to tell me if you have any information about that boat."

I couldn't find anything about the boat, but I did learn a lot about Rolly Tasker. Born in Perth, WA in 1926, Rolly won our first Australian Olympic sailing medal (silver) at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. He won a record 28 championships
with the Sharpie "Falcon II" in only 7 years.

Tasker opened the Australian Sailing Museum in Mandurah WA in 2008. Their history of Australian sailing includes America's Cup races since 1851, scale models of yachts, as well as wax figures of sailing notables. His company Rolly Tasker Sails has produced more than 2.2 million sails worldwide.

Inducted into the Sport Australian Hall of Fame in 1996, he became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2006. The sailing legend died at his home on the Mandurah canals on 22nd June 2012 after a long battle with cancer.

See also ...
• Australian Government buy & register a boat
• our Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race winners & info

Passing of an Aussie Icon

We were greatly saddened to learn that Steve Irwin has died. He has touched the lives of people around the world as evidenced by the world-wide coverage his death has had. Locals have laid flowers at Irwin's Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland as a mark of respect.

Tributes to Steve Irwin have been pouring in . . . Prime Minister John Howard says Irwin's death is a "huge loss" for the nation. "He was the genuine article, what you saw was what you got, he took risks, he enjoyed life, but he brought immense joy to millions of people, particularly to children, and it's just such a terrible loss and I feel very distressed and I'm quite upset," he said.

“The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest Dads on the planet. He died doing what he loves best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. Crocs Rule!” said John Stainton, Steve's producer and closest friend.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says Irwin was a fine ambassador for his country. "He was a great Australian, he was obviously a great Queenslander, but he put Queensland and Australia on the international map," he said. "I mean I can remember going to the United States where people would not know the Prime Minister of Australia but they knew Steve Irwin."

"It is said you don't know what you've got until it's gone, and I think we always had enormous affection and love for Steve but, now that he's gone, what an extraordinary contributor he was to critical environmental discussions in this country." Kim Beazley, Federal Australian Labour leader.

Read more about Steve on our website.

A Personal Thank You

Max and I would like to thank the following people  for their generous donations. We truly appreciate everyone's help to keep our website online and free to use. (Last names withheld to protect their privacy.)

Your kind words and encouragement make our day and we hope you continue to enjoy our website.

Victor Chang Info Updated

Neil B. pointed out that we had an error in our information about heart transplants by Victor Chang. We've corrected it and added a little more information you might find interesting.