Hayman Island, QLD

Had a relatively slow start to the morning due to the previous nights debauchery, but spent the afternoon on the Reef Dancer. The Reef Dancer is a glass-bottom boat that chugs around Arkhurst Island (just to Hayman’s west). The boat goes into a couple of small coves in the island, which allows guests to dive in and snorkel around. I stayed in the boat and watched the others. I can’t for the life of me adjust my breathing to snorkel, which consequently puts me in a panic. Still, just sitting in the boat was amazing. With the water so clear I could see plenty just fine. The view of the coral and the brightly coloured fish everywhere is breathtaking. We were meant to go on a boat to the Great Barrier Reef today, but the weather didn’t allow for it. This is such a shame, because if it is this beautiful so far away from the Reef – that place must be beyond description. Went on a sunset walk with Luvvo, as he wanted to take some photos. Then we did our nightly ritual at the staff bar.

Airlie Beach, QLD to Hayman Island, QLD

Spent today on South Mole Island. The morning boat from Shute Harbour takes about 45 minutes. Once on the island you can treat it as though you are a guest of the resort and use all of its facilities. We spent the morning playing a round of golf. Lunch was a huge all you can eat buffet. And the arvo was spent lazing by the pool. I always pictured South Mole Island being an exclusive resort, but it definitely seems like a more affordable, family-style resort. Still a great place and somewhere to keep in mind for a future holiday. We get back to Hayman in the afternoon. It’s another barbeque night and once again the staff bar is open and more than happy to take my money.

Hayman Island, QLD to Airlie Beach, QLD

A day of recovery – sitting by the staff pool and waiting for the afternoon water taxi to Shute Harbour, for a night out in Airlie Beach. The weather on the way over was the roughest yet, causing some problems in the water. It is the closest to seasick I have ever been. Airlie Beach was chockers full of backpackers. We went to a pub/hostel, Beaches, not dissimilar to the Coogee Bay Hotel, i.e. it had a huge beer garden and was full of Poms. The place was packed for the Wallabies vs Lions rugby match being shown on the big screen. It seemed like we were the only ones cheering on the Aussies, but at least there was a great atmosphere. The place was relatively quite by the end of the night though as the Aussies won the rugby and all the Poms went home to sulk. We wanted to kick on after Beaches had closed but could not find anywhere else with a good vibe, so we ended up back in the hotel by 1am.

Hayman Island, QLD

Friday was our coolest day weather wise, so we took advantage and did a hike around the island. This hike is approximately 9 kilometers long, but quite relaxing. There are 4 main lookouts, and the chapel along the way. The outlook from the chapel is south, overlooking the marina and the Whitsunday Islands. It seems like a beautiful place for a wedding. The Marina Lookout was three kilometers off course from the track we were on, so we gave it a miss. Dolphin Point faces north, and you can see the mainland from here. It is about thirty metres above the ocean. The view is just awesome, and so relaxing. The main lookout, on top of the island, faces south, and Woody reckons that on a clear day you can see right down to Hamilton Island form here. Unfortunately, we were not so lucky today. 3 hours later we had finished our trek and were ready for a feed. Friday night is “cook your own BBQ” night, so there are steaks, rissoles, sausages and chicken aplenty. You pick what you want, buffet style, and then throw it on the barbie and cook to your liking. Another plus is that the barbie is in the staff bar so, needless to say, we spent the night and got absolutely wankered. Luvvo and I decide we are going to start a band, Vomiting From All Orifices, and have a name planned for our first album – 30 Cone Screamers. I told you we were pissed.

Hayman Island, QLD

What has Woody got install for us today? Drink beer!!! Pubby, Lethal and the gang of 4 went to Blue Pearl II Beach on the western side of Hayman, with an esky full of food and beer. It was a glorious day weather wise. Basically all we do all day is relax on the beach, swim and snorkel. This is one of the perks of being here and visiting a staff member – it all comes cheap for us. Because we are with staff we are the last group to be picked up. Fortunately it is right on sunset. A spectacular view of the sun setting over the mainland as we head back into the main bay. Dinner in the dining room, where staff can get their 3 cooked meals a day, and then an evening of frivolity at the staff bar.

Coogee, NSW to Hayman Island, QLD

Our flight arrives at 10.15am. I had flown to Brisbane and met up for the second leg to Hamilton Island with Luvvo and BJ. We board the Sun Eagle, Hayman’s $5 million boat, and travel to Hayman Island in overcast weather. From the outset we know that this island is going to be something else. We meet Woody and his mate, Jase, at the dock and head up to the staff quarters. Our room is not ready, but Woody is prepared. We head over to his room and start on the six cartons of Crownies Woody has stashed. The afternoon is spent with the four of us, and Pubby (Woody’s roommate), drinking until it’s time to go out. Wednesday night is the only night staff are allowed into Hernie’s (Hernando’s Hideaway), the island’s nightclub. So, as apparently is standard, tonight is a huge night. Hernie’s looks like a homestead and is only open between 10pm - 2am. Very swish. But if you close your eyes – you could be back at Bayrock on any given Friday night. Met tons of people – Lethal Lea, Gazza from Wamberal, Poida, Megan (Pubby’s Mrs) – and had a blinder of a night. Everyone was more than happy to make sure we had a great night.

Adelaide, SA

What I remember (in 2024)

Traveled to Adelaide for a Youth Service conference.

Straight from the airport - two long roads tot he hotel (east and south) in a winery and didn't leave the venue.

Left on 16 June and came back on the 19th

Fugazi & High Pass Filter @ The Metro

What I remember (in 2024)

Was a cold, wet winter's afternoon.  I went alone after player soccer with the Coogee Prisoners in the morning.  An all ages show, because that's all Fugazi play, and in the afternoon so everyone is home early on a Sunday.

The Crap Facts
This is my 121st concert.
This is my 23rd concert at The Metro.
This is my 26th concert in Sydney.
This is my 120th concert in New South Wales.
This is my 121st concert in Australia.
High Pass Filter are the 161st band I've seen.
Fugazi are the 162nd band I've seen.
Fugazi are the 50th time I've seen a band at The Metro.

Fugazi are the 50th different American band I've seen.

Peg, Unseen & Twirly Whirlies @ Bat & Ball

The Crap Facts
This is my 120th concert.
Bat & Ball is the 33rd venue I've seen a concert.
This is my 3rd concert in Surry Hills.
This is my 119th concert in New South Wales.
This is my 120th concert in Australia.
Twirly Whirlies are the 160th band I've seen.
This is my 13th Unseen concert.
This is my 5th Peg concert.

Sydney Swans vs Richmond Tigers @ SCG

Sydney Swans 26.8.164 (Dale Lewis 5, Shannon Grant 4, Paul Kelly 3, Mark Bayes 3, John Stevens 2, Jason Mooney 2, Wade Chapman 2, Troy Cook, Paul Roos, Matthew Nicks, Michael O'Loughlin, Simon Arnott goals) defeated Richmond Tigers 16.14.110 (Matthew Richardson 5, Ben Moore 2, Paul Broderick, Matthew Gale, Robert Powell, Wayne Campbell, Ashley Prescott, Trent Nichols, Mark Merenda, Ben Holland, Justin Charles goals)

Crowd: 35,033

NoFX & Snuff @ Selina's

What I remember (in 2024)

Went on my own.

NoFX weren't as good as I'd hoped they be.

The Crap Facts
This is my 119th  concert.
This is my 13th concert at Selina's.
This is my 13th concert in Coogee.
This is my 118th concert in New South Wales.
This is my 119th concert in Australia.
Snuff are the 158th band I've seen.
NoFX are the 159th band I've seen.

Fini Scad, John Reed Club & Spinifex @ Annandale Hotel

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with Roberta, one of her friends was in Spinifex.

The Crap Facts
This is my 118th concert.
This is my 7th concert at Annandale Hotel.
This is my 7th concert in Annandale.
This is my 117th concert in New South Wales.
This is my 118th concert in Australia.
Spinifex are the 156th band I've seen.
John Reed Club are the 157th band I've seen.
This is my 2nd Fini Scad concert.
Fini Scad are the 50th time I've seen a band in 1997.

Regurgitator, Fauves & Tomorrow People @ The Metro

The Crap Facts
This is my 117th concert.
This is my 22nd concert at The Metro.
This is my 25th concert in Sydney.
This is my 116th concert in New South Wales.
This is my 117th concert in Australia.
Tomorrow People are the 155th band I've seen.
This is my 5th Fauves concert.
This is my 5th Regurgitator concert.

Tool, Jung & Shihad @ Hordern Pavilion

The Crap Facts
This is my 116th concert.
This is my 16th concert at Hordern Pavilion.
This is my 23rd concert in Moore Park.
This is my 115th concert in New South Wales.
This is my 116th concert in Australia.
Shihad are the 153rd band I've seen.

Shihad are the 300th time I've seen a band.

Jung are the 154th band I've seen.
This is my 3rd Tool concert.

Tool are the 30tth time I've seen a band in New South Wales.

Surf, Skate & Slam @ Maroubra Beach

What I remember (in 2014)

Went with Roberta.

Sprung Monkey were the "surprise guest" but their names were on the concert's shirts.  They played an arvo set to get to Newcastle for that night's gig.

The Crap Facts

This is my 115th concert.
Maroubra Beach is the 32nd venue I've seen a concert.
Maroubra Beach is the 27th city I've seen a concert.
This is my 114th concert in New South Wales.
This is my 115th concert in Australia.
This is my 4th Nitocris concert.
Grinspoon are the 152nd band I've seen.
This is my 2nd Sprung Monkey concert.
This is my 5th Frenzal Rhomb concert.
This is my 7th silverchair concert.