#rural new south wales

[smalltownwonderlandau]

BATHURST

WHAT IS BATHURST KNOWN FOR?

Ironically, this normally beautiful and peaceful little country town is known for car racing. Every year, the famous Liqui - Moly 12 Hour car race takes place on Mount Panorama and this usually quiet town suddenly becomes as crowded as  Sydney. Of Course, car racing isn’t Bathurst’s only claim to fame, Bathurst has a long rich history with gold mining, the first gold ever discovered in Australia was discovered in Bathurst, the gold rush which took place between the 1850′s and the 1870′s transformed this small provincial town into a major regional centre.

GETTING THERE AND AWAY

AIR Bathurst has a small regional airport. Pelican Airlines do daily direct flights from Sydney to Bathurst, however this is the most expensive way to travel to Bathurst from Sydney. Pelican Airlines Operates direct flight Between Sydney Airport Terminal T2 and Bathurst with two return flights per day Monday To Friday and 1 return flight on Sunday.

CAR Car is the easiest and most convenient way to get to and from Bathurst.

TRAIN The “Bathurst Bullet” train service link Sydney with Bathurst daily.Daily NSW Trainlink Services from Sydney To Lithgow with coach connections to Bathurst are also avaliable. Bathurst Bullet The Bathurst Bullet departs Bathurst Station at 7:35AM and returns earlier in the afternoon, departing Sydney at 3:05PM and arriving in Bathurst at 6:47PM. There are variations to this schedule on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays to allow for existing Indian Pacific and Intercity services. 

GETTING AROUND

The easiest way to get around Bathurst is by car, While Uber does exist, it can be difficult at times to get one as they are not as common as they are in big cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Bathurst Taxis are another option if you do not have a car but you will have to call for them as taxi’s are not something that you will see frequently whilst walking around Bathurst. There is a Bus company in Bathurst, Bathurst Buslines check the website for more information and for bus routes.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS Most businesses in Bathurst are closed on Sundays. Cafes typically open at 7:00AM and close at 3:00PM while restaurants tend to open and close a bit later than this typically around 5:00PM to 9:00PM. Shops usually open at 10:00Am and close at 5:00PM. On or around public holidays such as Christmas and New Year, you can expect most businesses to be closed.

ROAD SAFETY Kangaroos are abundant in Bathurst, unfortunately, that also means that the chance of a collision with one whilst driving is higher than it is in Sydney particularly at night. Drive extra cautiously, especially around areas like Mount Panorama and further out away from the CBD.

PLACES TO STAY

HOTELS

The Victoria  Locally owned and operated, this newly refurbished hotel is the ultimate hub for food, drink, arts, music, events and accomodation. There is a pub which serves craft beer, local wine, cocktails and tasty pub food. Dogs are allowed in this hotel. Facilities: Bar Family Rooms Free Wifi Restaurant Shared Bathroom Location: 3 Keppel St Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: thevictoriabathurst.com.au

Photos from The Victoria Bathurst on Facebook

Littomore Hotels And Suites  Located only a 2 minute walk to the CBD of Bathurst, Littomore Hotels And Suites is the only Motel in Bathurst that does not have a main road or major highway running past its front door. Off street parking is provided and there is a salt water pool. Facilities: On Site Parking Swimming Pool Location: 19 Charlotte St, Bathurst NSW Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: littomoresuites.com.au

Photos from Littomore Bathurst on Facebook

Mantra  The Mantra Bathurst Hotel, is extremely close to Bathurst’s CBD and the second closest to Mount Panorama. Most of the 50 newly refurbished room have a new plush top king bed and ample parking is provided. A free continental breakfast is included and there is also a spa, sauna and swimming pool. Facilities: Bar Coach Parking Continental Breakfast Family Rooms Free Wifi Function Rooms Laundry Facilities On Site Parking Sauna Spa Swimming Pool Location: 344 Stewart St, Bathurst NSW 2795, Australia Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: www.mantrabathurst.com.au

Photos from Mantra Bathurst on Facebook

Rydges Mount Panorama  Located on the iconic Mount Panorama race circuit, all rooms have a spectacular view of Mount Panorama and if you’re lucky, you will see large groups of Kangaroos. There are 131 rooms, all come with spa baths and balconies. There is a pool and a restaurant which has a buffet breakfast as well as on site parking. Facilities: 24 Hour Reception Air Conditioning/Heating Free Wifi Grocery Delivery Service Gym Kitchen Laundry Facilities On Site Parking Restaurant  Room Service Swimming Pool Location: 1 Conrod Straight, Bathurst NSW 2795, Australia Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: rydges.com

Photos from Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst on Facebook

MOTELS

Gold Panner Motor Inn  If you are looking for affordable accomodation, great country hospitality this newly refurbished motel is the place to stay. Located only 10 minutes from the Bathurst CBD, the Gold Panner Motor Inn has 34 ground floor rooms with secure parking right at your door. A free continental buffet breakfast is included, there is also a BBQ area, a children’s playground and a swimming pool Facilities: Continental Breakfast Family Rooms Free Wifi On Site Parking Swimming Pool Location: 260 Sydney Rd, Kelso NSW 2795, Australia Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: bathurstgoldpannermotorinn.com.au

Photos from Gold Panner Motor Inn on Facebook

Panorama Bathurst  This Motel with its 70 rooms is the largest motel in Bathurst . It is conveniently located near the  Bathurst CBD and there is a swimming pool, a restaurant and bar  and off street parking. Facilities: Bar Family Rooms Free Wifi On Site Parking Restaurant  Swimming Pool Location: 51 Durham St, Bathurst, New South Wales 2795 Australia Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: panoramabathurst.com.au

Photos From Panorama Bathurst on Facebook

PLACES TO EAT

ANNIE’S OLD FASHIONED ICE CREAM PARLOUR This Ice Cream parlour, all of which is made in house, looks like something out of the 1950′s with its pink walls, booths, duke boxes and vintage posters of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. The most popular flavour is Sofala Gold, but all of the flavours are good. Cuisine: Ice Cream Opening Hours Monday To Wednesday: 9:00AM - 5:30PM Thursday To Friday: 9:00AM - 9:00PM Saturday: 10:00AM - 9:00PM Sunday: 11:00AM - 5:30PM Location: 82/26 George St, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Website: anniesicecream.com.au

CHURCH BAR Located in a former Anglican School House, this bar serves the best woodfired pizzas in town as well as variety of alcoholic beverages. The Church Bar is extremely popular and you will need a booking if you plan to go on a Friday or the Weekend. Cuisine: Pizza Opening Hours: 12:00PM - Late Location: Church Bar I Ribbon Gang Lane, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: churchbar.com.au

First two photos from Church Bar + Woodfired Pizza on Facebook

DOGWOOD BX This American themed restaurant serves everything you would expect to find a true American diner such as buffalo wings, mac n cheese, southern fried chicken and more. Cuisine: American Opening Hours Monday To Tuesday: Closed Wednesday To Thursday: 5:00PM - 8:30PM Friday To Saturday: 5:00PM - 9:00PM Sunday: 12:00PM - 5:00PM Location: 87 Keppel St, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Website: dogwoodbx.com.au

Photos from Dogwood, BX on Facebook

EL GUAPO CANTINA A classic Tex - Mex restaurant, El Guapo Cantina also have a restaurant in Neutral Bay. Cuisine: Mexican Opening Hours Lunch: 12:00AM - 3:00PM - Closed Monday And Tuesday Dinner: 5:00PM - 9:00PM - Closed Monday Location: 49 Keppel St, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Website: elguapo.com.au

Photos from El Guapo Cantina on Facebook

PICCOLO’S ON WILLIAM Serves the best coffee in town as well as juices and smoothies. They also do an all day breakfast as well as other delicious meals. The cakes are to die for, they are made by a local woman who delivers them fresh to the cafe daily. Cuisine: Cafe Opening Hours: 7:00AM - 3:00PM Location: 4/40 William St, Bathurst NSW 2795, Australia Phone: [phone] Website: piccolosonwilliam.com.au

Photos from Piccolo’s On William on Facebook

SWEET CARAMEL This cafe and patisserie serves both Thai Food and desserts such as cakes and waffles. They also do a high tea which is $45.00 per person. Cuisine: Thai And Dessert Opening Hours: 9:00AM - 3:00PM  - Closed Mondays Location: 185 George St, Bathurst NSW, Australia Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected]

Photos from Sweet Caramel Cafe & Patisserie By Marissa & Pom on Facebook

SHOPPING

BAKE, TABLE AND TEA This cute little kitchenware shop also has a cafe which serves coffee and cake and small meals. Opening Hours Monday To Friday: 8:00AM - 5:30PM Saturday: 8:00AM - 3:30PM Sunday: Closed Location: 76, George St, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: baketableandtea.com.au

Photos from Bake, Table & Tea on Facebook

DEJORJA & CO Dejorja & Co consists of three businesses under one roof, Dejorja Boutique & Homewares which sells beautiful clothing and homewares, Florence Grace Floristry and The Crows Nest Cafe which uses fresh produce. There is a little farm with chickens out the back near the cafe courtyard. Opening Hours Monday To Friday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM Sunday: 10:00AM - 2:00PM Location: 37 Keppel St, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected]

All but the last photo from Dejorja on Facebook

ECLECTIC COLOUR This small family run store sells a variety of unique gifts, homewares and furniture. Some items are new while some a second hand and will only be available once so if you see something you like thats second hand, make sure to grab it before it goes. Opening Hours Monday To Thursday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM Friday To Saturday: 10:00AM - 2:00PM Sunday: Closed Location: 57 Keppel St, Bathurst NSW 2795 Email: [email protected] Website: eclecticcolour.com

Photos from Eclectic Colour on Facebook

ENID’S EMPORIUM Enid’s Emporium is a teddy bear and giftware shop with a focus on toys and other items for children and babies. Opening Hours Monday To Friday: 9:30AM - 5:00PM Saturday: 9:30AM - 2:00PM Sunday: Closed Location: 43 Keppel Street, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: enidsemporium.com

Photos from Enid’s Emporium on Facebook

GORGEOUSNESS HOME A boutique homeware store which also sells clothes, shoes and accessories. Opening Hours Monday To Friday: 10:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday To Sunday: 10:00AM - 2:30PM Location: 116 - 120 William St, Bathurst NSW, 2795 Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: gorgeousnesshome.com.au

GORGEOUSNESS BOUTIQUE A clothing boutique and sister store to Gorgeousness Home Opening Hours Monday To Friday: 10:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday To Sunday: 10:00AM - 2:30PM Location: 124 William St, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: gorgeousnessboutique.com.au

Photos from Gorgeousness on Facebook

LOVE DAPHNE Love Daphne is a small vintage boutique that sells clothing inspired by the 1940′s and 1950′s. Opening Hours Moday To Friday: 10:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday: 10:00AM - 2:00PM Sunday: Closed Location: 105 George St, Bathurst NSW Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: lovedaphne.com.au

Photos from Love Daphne on Facebook

THINGS TO DO

ABERCROMBIE KARST CONSERVATION RESERVE There is much to see in the Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve, most notably Abercrombie Caves which boasts the largest national arch in the southern hemisphere as well as several other grand and richly decorated caves. You can spend the night at the campground or the cosy cabins at Arch Cottage. Dont miss Mount Gray walking track where you can see historical relics of an old gold mining community from the 1880′s or the Grove Creek Falls. Note the price below is for self guided tours only. The guided tours cost more, call the park for prices. Admission: Adult: $20.00 Opening Hours Thursday To Monday: 9:00AM - 4:00PM Tuesday To Wednesday: Closed Location: Cave Rd Abercrombie River, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone]

Photos From nationalpark.nsw.gov.au

ABERCROMBIE HOUSE This heritage treasure which doubles a private home for the Morgan family is open to the public to explore and provides guided tours. The 50 room Scottish - baronial mansion built in the 1870′s contains exhibitions, displays, collections, grounds and gardens, outbuildings and property walks around 18 hectares. When the house was built in the 1870′s it was owned by the Stewart Family who were Bathurst pioneers, in 1968 the house was purchased by Rex Morgan  and restoration work has taken place ever since. Concerts, themed days and high tea days take place throughout the year. Admission Adult: $15.00 Concession: $10.00 Child Under 14: $5.00 Infants: Free Opening Hours Monday To Tuesday: Closed Wednesday To Friday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM Saturday To Sunday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM Location: 311 Ophir Rd, Bathurst NSW Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: abercrombiehouse.com.au

AUSTRALIAN FOSSIL & MINERAL MUSEUM Housed in an 1876 former public school is the Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum, home to the internationally renowned Somerville collection, the lifetime work of Warren Somerville. The collection contains more than 5,000 of some of the rarest and most exquisite mineral crystals and fossils from around the world. The main exhibition is the Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton.  Admission Adult: $15.00 Concession: $10.00 Child Under 12: $7.00 Infant: Free Opening Hours Thursday To Tuesday: 9:00AM - 4:30PM Wednesday: Closed Location: 224 Howick St, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected]

BATHURST GOLDFIELDS Bathurst has a long history with gold mining, the first gold to be discovered in Australia was found in Bathurst in 1823 by James McBrien. Bathurst Goldfields on Mount Panorama provides public tours during school holidays which allow you to try gold panning, see a blacksmith at work and explore the outdoor museum. Bathurst Goldfields also offer accomodation and a souvenir shop. Admission Adult: $20.00 Child Under 12: $10.00 Child Under 5: Free Opening Hours Tours Only Run During School Holidays Monday To Friday: 1:00PM - 3:00PM Saturday To Sunday: Closed Souvenir Shop: Location: 428 Conrod Straight, Mount Panorama, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Website: bathurstgoldfields.com.au

Photos from Bathurst Goldfields - Education Centre on Facebook

BATHURST REGIONAL ART GALLERY (BRAG) Bathurst Regional Art Gallery’s exhibition program includes surveys of local artists, like Mandurrama based Mandy Martin and Hill End based Luke Sciberras. BRAG’s permanent collection of over 2,000 works is valued in excess of $11million. BRAG also has touring exhibitions such as AGNSW’s Brett Whiteley: West Of The Divide, Jam Factory’s Glass and Wiradjuri artist Johnathan Jones’ guwiinyguliya yirgabiyi ngay. Admission: Free Opening Hours Monday: Closed Tuesday To Saturday: 10:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday: 11:00AM - 2:00PM Location: 70 - 78 Keppel St, Bathurst NSW Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: bathurstart.com.au

Photos from Bathurst Regional Art Gallery on Facebook

MOUNT PANORAMA Mount Panorama Racing Circuit is Bathurst’s main attraction, famous worldwide for hosting several major events on the Australian and International motor sporting calendar. When there are no motor sporting events taking place, you are able to drive around the circuit, be aware that the road is a public road and as such the New South Wales road rules apply. There are camera’s along the circuit and police regularly patrol the circuit. Admission: Free Opening Hours Monday To Friday: 8:30AM - 4:45PM Saturday To Sunday: Closed Location: Mountain Straight, Mount Panorama, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Website: mount-panorama.com.au

Photos from Mount Panorama Circuit on Facebook

EVENTS

RELIANCE BANK ROYAL BATHURST SHOW Long regarded at the best Royal Show west of Sydney, the Reliance Bank Royal Bathurst Show is run by the Bathurst Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Association and has seen an average annual attendance of more than 20,000 people. Things to see and do include market stalls, food trucks, rides and amusements, face painting as well as shows and competitions. Month: April Admission Adult: $28.00 Concession: $21.00 Child Under 16: $14.00 Child Under 6: Free Location: Kendall Av, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: bathurstshow.com.au

Photos from Royal Bathurst Show on Facebook

BATHURST WINTER FESTIVAL Each Year, the locals of Bathurst welcome and embrace the icy cold winter with the Bathurst Winter Festival. There is much to do and see such as skating around the McDonald’s Bathurst Ice Rink, browsing the bustling markets, having a ride on the giant ferris wheel and jamming to live music in the Winter Playground. Be sure to also check out the building illuminations, Kaleidoscope mirror maze and the Asteroids multi - player illumination game. There are also feature events such as foodie events, movie afternoons, days filled with kids entertainment, accessibility day and even a day for pets. Month: July Admission: Free Opening Hours: 9:00AM - 9:00PM Location: 160 Russell St, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Website: bathurstwinterfestival.com.au

Photos from Bathurst Winter Festival on Facebook

SPRING SPECTACULAR Like the Winter festival but for spring, the Spring Spectacular features market stalls and displays, live music and open gardens. Month: October Admission: Free Opening Hours: 9:30AM - 5:00PM Location: Bathurst, NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: bathurstgardenclub.org.au

Photos from The Bathurst Gardeners’ Club Spring Spectacular on Facebook

BATHURST OUTDOOR EXPO AND CHRISTMAS MARKETS Bathurst’s Outdoor Expo And Christmas Markets is an annual event which has been running for over 20 years. Held at the Bathurst Showground, there is something here to please everyone, three beautiful pavilions are packed with stalls selling a variety of things such as jewellery, home wares, gift wares, toys, books, crafts, beauty products, clothing and more. Outside is a variety of food and market stalls, entertainment and children’s rides. Month: November Admission Adults: $5.00 Child Under 10: Free Opening Hours: 9:00AM - 4:00PM Location: Bathurst Showground, Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Website: bathurstbiggestexpo.com

Photos from bathurstbiggestexpo.com

ABERCROMBIE HOUSE HIGH TEA Enjoy tasting plates filled with scrumptious savoury and sweet treats and sip tea or coffee while elegant live classical Celtic harp music plays in the background. The main rooms and gardens are open to explore so be sure to check them out once you’ve filled yourself to the brim with pastries and sweets. Month: January April May June July September October December Admission Adult: $55.00 Senior: $50.00 Child Under 14: $40.00 Opening Hours Sunday: 2:30PM - 4:30PM Location: 311 Ophir Rd, Bathurst NSW Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: abercrombiehouse.com.au

Photos from Abercrombie House on Facebook

LIQUI - MOLY BATHURST 12 HOUR By far, Bathurst most famous annual event is the Liqui - Moly  Bathurst 12 Hour car race that take place on Mount Panorama, where the world’s best GT3 teams and drivers race around the circuit to the finish line. Month: February Admission: Check Website Location: Mountain Straight, Mount Panorama, Bathurst NSW 2795 Email: [email protected] Website: bathurst12hour.com.au

Photos from Bathurst 12 Hour on Facebook

RIVERSIDE MARKETS Small but quaint markets that has a range of stalls selling unique handicraft items such as clothing, accessories, candles and beauty products, home wares and more. The Lions Club BBQ offer drinks and hot food and there is a kids playground. Month: Monthly Event Admission: Free Opening Hours: 9:00AM - 1:00PM Location: Lions Club Dr, Kelso Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected]

#australia #new south wales #rural new south wales #central west new south wales #bathurst #visit bathurst #small town #country town #mount panorama #tumblr

[bigvolcano]

Good morning

Sunday 23/8/23.

📷 Samsung Galaxy M21

#nsw #treescape #northern rivers #new south wales #rainforest #rural scene

[thewondermentofillustration]

Lionel Lindsay (1874 – 1961) - The black tracker's hut, Jindabine, 1903, pen and ink; The old schoolhouse, Kurrajong Heights, 1906, pen and ink

#Lionel Lindsay #Sir Lionel Arthur Lindsay #Jindabine #rural Australia #New South Wales #horse #hut #illustration #vintage illustration #Australian artist #drawing #pen and ink

[sataniccapitalist]

#australia weather #australia news #new south wales #rural australia #flooding

[parkfox]

Why are some towns just so towny? I've been coming to this rural town got my whole life and its just so comically town.

There's one big factory where everyone works, it rests where two rivers meet, it has one really well paved road then the rest are shit, and it only has 500 people.

It's also very beautiful.

#town #rural #littletown #australian #new south wales

[geek-aflame]

Whomever named Deepwater, New South Wales was playing some kind of sick joke.

I know I grew up during one of the worst droughts in recorded history but was the river always like this? My great grandma used to tell stories about walking across the thing to get to her friend's house.

In a town called Deepwater crossing the river on foot is a short cut :/

#Australia #rural Australia #wtf is this #mystery #Deepwater Australia #New South Wales #Australian Mysteries #Deepwater #country things #country town #wft Australia #No town in Australia should be called Deepwater

[ignorantsackofeyeballs]

I’m listening to these pro- gamers on the train brag about their follow counts to each other. I’ve been listening to them talk for 15 minutes. I know you should hate on people you don’t know… but also… I hate them.

#mmyoversharing #I don’t think they’re from my city… I think one of them is French #they keep describing Newton has hipster and talking about gettin stabbed in auburn #screaming they think Penrith and Newcastle are rural New South Wales #I’m so confused where are they frommm

[kaitaiga]

COD MW OC: Damien Whitlock

GENERAL INFO

Full Name: Damien Whitlock

Nickname: Damo

Birthday: 7th March 1996 – Sydney, Australia

Face Claim: Zane Phillips

Affiliation: 2nd Commando Regiment (2CDO REGT), Tactical Assault Group East (TAG-E), SOCOMD.

Rank: Sergeant

Call sign: Bravo 2-6 (2CDO)

Height: 186cm (6’1)

Weight: 90kg

Blood Type: B- (B NEG)

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Pronouns: He/Him

Languages: English, Arabic (conversational), Indonesian (conversational)

Family:

Father: Arthur Whitlock

Mother: Audrey Mae Whitlock

Older Brother: Thomas Whitlock

Older Sister: Sienna Whitlock

Younger Sister: Zoe Whitlock

Affiliates:

2nd Commando Regiment

→ Captain Lachlan Jones

→ Sergeant Daniel Greenhill

Task Force 141

→ Sergeant Major Hannah “Sparrow” Cayton (@revnah1406)

→ Sergeant Annabelle “Kit” Pham (@applbottmjeens)

→ Charlotte “Jade” Le Jardin @sleepyconfusedpotato

→ Joyce “Joe” Hardman @mctvsh

→ Captain Price, Gaz, Laswell

Los Vaqueros

→ Alyssa “Aly” Martinez (@alypink)

Para SF

→ Captain Arjun Dhingra, LT. Aditya Tripathi (@welldonekhushi)

Urzikstan Liberation Force (ULF)

→ Farah Karim

→ Alex Keller

Other

→ Jackson Wyatt (1CDO, Warcom)

→ Benjamin “Otter” Lee (SAS)

Appearance

Hair: blond, short mullet.

Eye Colour: blue/grey

Build: tall, muscular

Scars: Bullet wound (left shoulder), knife scars (forearms)

Beauty Marks: Right jaw, above and below the left eye.

Tattoos:

Personality and Traits

Damien comes across as a very laidback and open guy, very easy to approach and talk to. He is a pretty big jokester, likes to crack a few jokes here and there to make people laugh or lighten the mood.

Though in the heat of battle, he has known to be brutal towards his enemies, sparing no mercy and absolutely no time - getting a job done quickly and efficiently. He isn’t afraid to speak his mind when needed, even if it may be more emotionally driven.

Nevertheless, towards those he likes, he is a very caring and loyal person. Ride or die buddy. It’s pretty damn obvious too, he’ll never stop bugging someone he cares for no matter where they are in the world. He can read their emotions like a book too; he can tell when someone’s feeling down and will try his best to cheer them up.

ESFP-T (MBTI)

Damien’s also the sort of guy to take care of others but not himself. Truthfully, after he lost Daniel, he found it very hard to cope. Thus, he took on Daniel’s role of looking after others.

Damien is also really good with any sort of trade work which he learned whilst growing up on his family farm. You need an electrician, mechanic, or welder? He’s your guy.

Skills/Specialisations

Like any other commando, Damien has undergone a multitude of training, preparing him for anything and everything. Alone or with his squad. A few of these include:

Demolitions and Breaching

CQC/Melee Attacks

Wilderness Survival

Long Range Recon

HALO / HAHO (including water insertion)

Roping (aid climbing)

Hostage Rescue

First Aid

And so on. In his own time, Damien frequently trains in Jiu-Jitsu, earning his purple belt, further enhancing his CQC.

Biography

Coming from a family of farmers, Damien spent most of his childhood living and working out on his family farm in rural New South Wales. Throughout his younger years, he was constantly harassed/bullied by his drug addicted older brother, Thomas. Young Damien was no match for him but luckily enough, his older sister had his back at all times. Thomas would eventually runaway and was never seen again – presumed dead.

As he grew up, Damien attended an all-boys boarding school in Sydney where he met Daniel Greenhill – his best friend for many years to come. He never really excelled at any subjects other than wood/metalwork and P.E., so when it came down to his final ATAR exams he absolutely flunked them. Not wanting to continue studying or returning to farm life, Damien worked the odd job here and there to make ends meet.

Whilst working one of his jobs alongside his buddy, Daniel had dropped that he had met a special forces operator by the name of Jackson Wyatt and suggested that he should meet with him.

After hearing all about Wyatt’s career as a Commando, Damien was sold on the idea; so much so that at the age of 19, he enlisted into the Australian Army after being trained by Wyatt himself much to his parent's disapproval. He served two years as an infantryman within 3RAR before completing the Commando selection course and earning his green beret, where he was placed in Lachlan’s B Company. Turns out he had a real knack for this sort of thing as he continued to undergo a range of further Commando specialist courses after initial Commando training.

 Since then, he’s done multiple tours to Urzikstan, Afghanistan and Iraq where he was introduced to Captain Price (via Lachlan) and Benjamin “Otter” Lee (via Wyatt).

Damien has since then worked alongside Captain Price closely thanks to Lachlan’s close connection to him, particularly in Urzikstan, but isn’t opposed to flying out to lend a hand wherever.

Modern Warfare I

During 2019, Damien is first seen in the UK on a training exercise with the SAS before he is swiftly sent to London’s Piccadilly Circus to assist against AQ’s terrorist attack, alongside Gaz. Afterwards, he joins the SAS Anti-terror wing along with Price and Gaz to clear a house in Camden, full of AQ affiliates in search of any information related to the Piccadilly attack and The Wolf.

Damien returns to Urzikstan alongside 2CDO REGT, where not long after he is called to assist Captain Price, Gaz and the others at the US Embassy, also aiding to save the Ambassador’s Assistant, Stacy. Following this, he follows the rest of the team back to the ambassador’s residence only to find the Wolf had been extracted by AQ forces already. Furthermore, he is seen briefly helping SAS and CIA on the night raid to locate The Wolf at his compound.

2020/2021

After the events of MW19, Damien spent this time on rotation in TAG-E, though was later sent back to Urzikstan on an emergency deployment to help aid in the assassination of an AQ leader. This proved to be a struggle. They were given little to no information and thus were subsequently ambushed, leading to the death of best friend, Daniel Greenhill, who tried to pull an injured Damien out of enemy fire.

After the funeral, Damien spent his time spiralling down. He became depressed, not leaving his Sydney apartment for days at a time and ultimately almost being discharged from his duties. Though thanks to his Captain and two close friends - Lachlan, Sparrow and Aly - they helped him find the means to work towards getting better and soon enough, he was ready enough to go back to his duties.

Modern Warfare II

In 2022, Damien is first seen undercover at Café Gracht alongside Captain Price where they wait for representatives from both AQ and Las Almas Cartel to show up. After seeing Gaz tranquillise the cartel member, they all move to enter Laswell’s vehicle and leave the area swiftly.

Later on he returns to Urzikstan, where he is again enlisted for help by Price to rescue Laswell from AQ along with ULF fighters.

Modern Warfare III

Damien spends this time going home to Australia for a little while before being sent on another tour around the Middle East. It is in Urzikstan that he (and 2CDO REGT) work alongside Phillip Graves and his Shadow Company, unaware of the events in Las Almas concerning Los Vaqueros and TF141. He is only made aware when seeing his friend Sparrow again, where she rips the SC patch off of him and promptly has a go at Damien for wearing that thing around them, explaining the full story.

Trivia

EDM and rock/metal music is what he listens to most.

He is a Mclaren F1 fan, as well as being a big fan of the AFL team: Collingwood Football Club (Magpies).

Absolute gym junkie. Has an extensive collection of pre-workout, protein powder and creatine stored in his apartment (and snuck onto base). If he wasn’t a Commando, he’d probably be a bodybuilder or athlete of some sort.

Damien keeps a scrapbook that he fills with stickers, trinkets, thoughts or drawings from various places he has visited.

During his downtime in Sydney, he likes to go café-hopping! He’s a big foodie. Also likes to take long walks during the night, overlooking the Harbour Bridge and generally just taking in the city lights. It's one of his favourite things to do to ease his mind.

Thanks to Daniel, Damien is pretty good at speaking Indonesian and really enjoys Indonesian food! His favourites are nasi campur and soda gembira. He’d mix Indonesian and English together to gossip about something to Daniel. After they both graduated high school, Daniel took Damien to visit Jakarta for the first time and he loved it! Also owns a couple batik shirts.

Drives a 79 series Landcruiser. His number plate is “WHITLOCK”.

Does jiu-jitsu and is currently at a purple belt.

Frequently visits Daniel’s grave when he has the time. He sits there for hours just catching him up on every little event or thought that has happened, as if he were there to listen like the old times. Frequently catches up with Daniel's family too, they've taken him in like he's their son.

In the past, Damien has never had a good relationship - they’ve all either cheated on him or ghosted him. He gave up looking for a partner even though he longed to have a family of his own.

Moodboard + Playlist

#long awaited redo of his old profile lol #damien whitlock #cod oc #my oc #my art #call of duty #call of duty oc #mwii #call of duty modern warfare #modern warfare #oc #call of duty fanart #military oc #Australian oc #call of duty mwii #mw2 #Jackson Wyatt #benjamin otter lee #oc profile #cod oc profile #oc reference sheet #Spotify

[fatehbaz]

Various different ways of effectively legalizing slavery. All on display in different regions colonized by England. Including the formal system of chattel slavery at plantations in the United States; the criminalization of poverty and enforced labor regimes of urban factories in the British metropole in London; and the prison labor of penal colonies in Australia.

Reading about how some people were victims of all of these ways of de facto enslavement. For example, all of these conditions of imprisonment were experienced by one man named John Moseley.

Around the year 1800, this forced labor existed across the British Empire. At the time of the American Revolution, Moseley had been enslaved in tobacco fields under the chattel slavery system in the Tidewater region of colonial Virginia. When Britain offered emancipation to slaves willing to join the military campaign against the Americans, Moseley joined the British forces. When Britain conceded and surrendered, Moseley feared that he would be re-enslaved in the United States, where chattel slavery remained legal, so he fled to London. However, around this same time, in England, rural livelihoods were being made more difficult; during this so-called Industrial Revolution, many were forced to move to cities or accept manufacturing jobs. And authorities were beginning the tradition of criminalizing poverty, rounding up “vagrants and vagabonds” in urban areas, as debt and poverty were forcing people to work in brutal labor conditions in factories. So Moseley sought income through criminal fraud. Moseley was arrested. He was sentenced to death. However, a death sentence could be commuted if the prisoner submitted to “transportation” and labor. And thus Moseley was once again imprisoned in chains, once again forced to work, and shipped to the convict colonies of Australia.

As Jeff Sparrow puts it: 

To control the desperate and the jobless, the authorities passed harsh new laws, a legislative program designed to quell disorder and ensure a pliant workforce for the factories. The Riot Act banned public disorder; the Combination Act made trade unions illegal; the Workhouse Act forced the poor to work; the Vagrancy Act turned joblessness into a crime. Eventually, over 220 offences could attract capital punishment - or, indeed, transportation. [...] [C]onvict transportation - a system in which prisoners toiled without pay under military discipline - replicated many of the worst cruelties of slavery. [...] Middle-class anti-slavery activists expressed little sympathy for Britain’s ragged and desperate, holding [...] [them] responsible for their own misery. The men and women of London’s slums weren’t slaves. They were free individuals – and if they chose criminality, [...] they brought their punishment on themselves. That was how Phillip [commander of the British First Fleet settlement in Australia] could decry chattel slavery while simultaneously relying on unfree labour from convicts. The experience of John Moseley, one of the eleven people of colour on the First Fleet, illustrates how, in the Australian settlement, a rhetoric of liberty accompanied a new kind of bondage. [...] The eventual commutation of a capital sentence to transportation meant that armed guards marched a black ex-slave, chained once more by the neck and ankles, to the Scarborough, on which he sailed to New South Wales. [...] For John Moseley, the “free land” of New South Wales brought only a replication of that captivity he’d endured in Virginia. His experience was not unique. [...] [T]hroughout the settlement, the old strode in, disguised as the new. [End quote. Text by Jeff Sparrow. “Friday essay: a slave state - how blackbirding in colonial Australia created a legacy of racism.” The Conversation. 4 August 2022.]

#abolition #prison #labor

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Incredible property for sale in Kurmond, New South Wales, Australia is a home, the coolest business, a farm, and much much more. Priced at $1,125,600, you’ve got to see this.

The main residence has a very roomy living room. The main house has 4bd. & 2ba.

It also has large crescent-shaped kitchen.

The main bd. has access to one of the decks on the upper level.

One of the decks overlooking the beautiful property.

It’s lovely, isn’t it? But, this is just the house. Let’s get to the other spaces.

It has a picturesque farm area- look at the ancient shed.

Nice, right? Let’s move on.

This is the star of the property. I would live here and rent out the main house. This building has a bath, 2bds., dining/living room, kitchen, plus a showroom, 2 gift shops, restaurant, a display room, an incredible commercial kitchen, and storage rooms. 

Welcome. Look at the antique motorcycle under glass. (It comes w/the property)

So, this is the display area- it’s an auto museum. The business’s name is Crusty’s and is a popular attraction. Oh, and it’s all included!

More display area.

And, here’s the retro restaurant decorated in a vintage Coca Cola theme.

Here’s the amazing commercial kitchen that even has a walk-up window that serves a large outdoor deck.

And, this is one of the gift shops.

https://www.realestate.com.au/property-acreage+semi-rural-nsw-kurmond-141624656

#live & work property canada #unique property #unusual property #houses #house tours #home tour

[rmd-writes]

RMD RMD!!!

This image is from this post that @goodways shared.

As an Australian and our resident person who knows and explains things. Please!! Is this a real thing? If yes, for the love of god, why?????

Thank you for your time!

Lemon!

Oh dear. Yes, that map is a real thing. Australian time zones in the summer are a quite literally a (very) hot mess. What that map doesn't show you is that there is a tiny part of New South Wales (the bigger state in the red part) that observes South Australian (middle orange state) time zones for some reason that I don't understand. It's wild.

I'm going to do my best to explain this but the reality is that I don't entirely understand why myself.

Okay so, the first thing you need to know is that Australia is very big. It is about the same size as the continental US. The second thing you need to know is that we are a federation meaning that until federation, each state you can see outlined on the map essentially operated as it's own little country. Western Australia did not want to join the federation but eventually did. South Australia (orange, middle) has the distinction of being the only state that was solely a settler colony, no convicts. They think that makes them very important. Also yes, Australia was initially colonised by the Brits because they had too many criminals and needed somewhere Very Far Away to send them. So, lots of white people here are descended from convicts . Anyway, I digress, the colonial history of Australia is a matter of record and a disgrace and the racist effect of that history is still very present and is most evident in the referendum that happened on the weekend but this is neither the time nor the place for me to get into that and my absolute disappointment in the country I live in. (how's that for a run on sentence)

ANYWAY, sheer size means that many time zones are necessary. Federation means that the states are like squabbling siblings and no one wants to do what anyone else says.

Next fact, the top of Australia is quite close to the equator. The northern part of Australia is classified as sub-tropical to tropical. It's hot and humid. The sun rises very early up north, even in the winter. We do not have long winter nights here. The sun setting in the afternoon is not a thing.

Also Australian populations are concentrated on the coasts, the middle of Australia is sparsely populated. After the coastal areas, there is farm land and then desert in the middle.

In Queensland (big yellow state on the right) there is no DST because the top two-thirds of the state (mostly rural/regional) will not countenance it for reasons such as "the cows won't cope" but also because up there they do not want longer days in the sun because it's too fucking hot and actually they look forward to the sun setting and things getting cooler. The bottom third of Queensland (which is mostly urban) wants DST but the state government cannot implement it without the cooperation of the rest of the state.

As for Western Australia (big blue state on the left), they do whatever the fuck they want and quite often don't opt in to federal laws and do their own thing. I can't explain what's happening there.

Do not ask me about the 30-minute time zone thing happening in the middle. My only explanation is that, as per above, SA thinks it's better than everyone else and did it to be ✨special✨ (the Northern Territory (middle green territory (not a state) at the top) was part of SA until some time after federation which is why they follow the same time zone (except for DST).

Did any of that answer your question? I'm really not sure.

Anyway, Australia where time zones are in the future but are also fucked ✌🏽

#rmd answers #time zone witchery

[derpcakes]

Okay, I’m never actually going to write this (for reasons I’ll go into in a moment) but do know that a few years ago I was playing with a fanfic idea where a glitched out Holy Grail manifests in rural New South Wales. An ordinary teenager just trying to scrape by ‘til graduation in this tin-pot dairy town is out on a beer run for some crappy country high school party when two supernatural beings crash through the bottle’o wall, one with a spear and one with a pair of shiny, impossibly fast pistols. She survives being caught in the fight but inevitably ends up on her arse looking up at the glowing gunslinger, who says something about being a Heroic Spirit needing a Master. Our heroine then replies “Yeah nah, get fucked”. Nonetheless, she’s dragged into this battle, and the adventure begins from there.

I had most of a cast of Servants laid out: some smartypants mage decides to summon Ned Kelly--an Australian Heroic Spirit if ever there was one, and who is naturally depicted as a hot lady--before remembering that Ned Kelly was famous for being an outlaw who embodies the quintessential Aussie lack of respect for authority. Summoned as the Archer, Kelly has a degree of independence but ultimately needs a human to keep her anchored, hence going “wait, shit” after breaking her own contract, then reluctantly teaming up with our country town hero in the scene above. Since Ned Kelly’s homemade armour is so famous (to the point where a lot of art just depicts the armour, and it’s way more recognisable than his actual face despite photographs of him existing!) the armour would be constantly on, but invisible, in the same way that Arturia obscures Excalibur. Plenty of potential here for dramatic reveals, not to mention the Themes and Motifs. 

I also liked the idea of each Master having a kind of disjointed cultural relationship with their Heroic Spirit, e.g. a young mage who’s grown up as part of the Greek diaspora in Australia summons a hero from Ancient Greek legend; a character whose noble family fled Russia during the revolution (and hasn’t lived there since) summons a staple of Russian folklore like Baba Yaga (as Rider, you know, for her walking house). These old stories are part of these characters’ heritage, but the versions that exist in lore and legend are unrecognisable from anything they’ve known due to the passage of time and the transformation of culture through the immigrant experience. I thought that could be a fun thing to play around with, you know? Especially with the Australian setting.

I also messed around with the idea that someone summons what they think is a Valkyrie (back before they turned up in FGO!) but, in a third act reveal, turns out to actually be Loki in disguise. Loki would be Very Gender and extremely fun as an amoral pseudo-villain who gets into some cheeky chats with Ned Kelly about the way humans mythologise their troublemakers while also shooting them down.

Oh! It was also going to be gay. At least, in terms of the rowdy teen heroine having a female love interest (in the form of a traumatised but deeply powerful girl from an abusive, traditional mage family. She was gonna be full of plants. The heroine was going to throw it all away and go feral to save her in the end, probably punching God in the face to do it. Do you see what I’m doing here? You gotta have the archetypes).

Anyway, while there were some Cool Ideas floating around here, I ultimately shelved and buried this thing. a) it was going to be a SUPER research intensive project, not only in reading up on the myth and history to get the Servants right, but getting my head around the intricacies of Nasuverse worldbuilding not only enough to understand it but enough to mess with it in way that would be satisfying to the reader. These plot bunnies were bouncing around my head when I was in the middle of my Honours year, and heading towards my doctoral studies, so unfortunately, much like real bunnies in Australia, they were deemed an invasive species that would suck up too many of my resources. 

And I was alright with this, because b) I realised that the thing about Fate that makes me want to write fic is its characters, not its world. So staying in the world but taking the characters out felt... well, not like my kind of creative direction. And I would need bucketloads of passion to get me through this thing, because naturally as the story of my very own Grail War it would need to be at least novel-length. And not a thin novel, either...

I thought to myself “If I’m going to do this much worldbuilding and develop this many OCs for a novel-length fic, I may as well be writing my own original fantasy novels”. Which I’m doing! Some ideas that started here have ended up being folded into other, more successful projects. My interest in exploring a trickster god character flowed right into my PhD work, which is largely about trickster god characters; and I’ve nicked and repurposed a few other elements, too, like the idea of a mage family who get their mana from a freaky symbiotic relationship with plants that they grow in their own body. I feel like my angry, take-no-shit, typically Aussie Ordinary Heroine--the girl I placed in Shirou’s archetypal role--will wander into an original project too, since she has a lot of presence and I think would be really fun as a protagonist. 

Anyway--I’m not going to come back to this, but the idea echoes in my brain every now and then, so I figured I’d share it here. What do you all think? If you could devise your own Grail War from the ground up where would you set it and who would you throw in the ring? 

#in honour of Fate/Strange Fake getting that TV special! #going to tag this #coffeefic #so it has a shelf to sit on and I don't lose it

[wewantclimateactionnow]

"Australia is known for its clean air. But this summer’s unprecedented fire season is changing that. Millions of people in Canberra, Sydney, and rural towns close to the fires breathed toxic pollution for months.

And experts say we don’t yet know what the long-term health effects will be.

“We’re all currently living in a big experiment,” says Donna Green, an associate professor at the University of New South Wales’ climate change research centre." The Guardian

#jail climate criminals #we want climate action now #climate change #cambio climático #climate crisis #prepare for climate change #greenwashing #big oil #fossil fuel industry #plastic #climate washing #floods #climate activism #calentamiento global #medio ambiente #IPPC #climate hope #sea level rise #late stage capitalism #victims of capitalism #klimakatastrophe #klimawandel #changement climatique #qihou bianhua #izmeneniye klimata #cambiamento climatico #気候変動 #जलवायु परिवर्तन #jalavaayu parivartan #das Alterações Climáticas

[thewondermentofillustration]

Lionel Lindsay (1874 – 1961) - Talbingo,  Snowy Valleys, New South Wales, 1925, aquatint

#Lionel Lindsay #Sir Lionel Arthur Lindsay #Talbingo #Snowy Valleys #New South Wales #Australia #rural Australia #farm house #dog #horses #Australian artist #realism #illustration #vintage illustration #art #aquatint #print #1920s #1925

[bookofmac]

Thank you!

1) where do you think class of 07 takes place? do you think the school is posh enough to pull people from different states or would they all pretty much be local?

2) what kind of beer is most associated with aussie rednecks (and is "bogan" dated slang)?

okay so

the show takes place in New South Wales. The co-ordinates that Zoe gives out on the Radio (south 34.4100, East 150.3037) show it to be south of Sydney, and about 1.5 hours drive away. Generally boarding schools cater to in-state kids, different states have different end of year exams and education standards, so I assume all the student, bar Sandi, lived in New South Wales for their whole childhood, however characters like Teresa have moved inter state; in her case to Queensland to live in Brisbane. Based on how close the town lights are in the first episode I assume there are also day school girls as well and boarders. So they would be largely state locals but from a mix of Rural and Urban backgrounds

Bogan is still used, generally it's a pretty broad term, more a reclaimed label rather than a pejorative imo. Beer wise there a lot of state pride in your local mass market beer(I live in Western Australia and my dad loves Emu Export). The common beer in NSW is Toohey's New.

feel free to ask any thing else that you want clarity on

#class of 07 #class of '07

[umichenginabroad]

Kangaroos at last! (Week 6)

With the summer semester over by the start of February, it was time to get serious with the beginning of Term 1. But first, O-Week! O-Week stands for Orientation Week and is the week prior to the start of classes where, everyday, there is a never-ending community of booths all around campus. Each booth is there for a society, club, or organization ranging from Rubik’s Cube club to Surfing society! I was personally excited by the Social Volleyball club, Soccer club, as well as some wilderness and rock climbing ones. After scanning countless QR codes and meeting tons of students who were eager to sell their clubs, it was time to try an Australian sausage sizzle! Imagine a hotdog, but replace the curated, curved bun with a piece of bread. Quite literally, the sausage sizzle is a sausage on a square piece of white bread. Beyond being confused, I was simply a little disappointed. Maybe hotdogs are better left in buns freshly toasted off an American grill…

My roommates and I wanted to capitalize on the extra week of no classes, so a last-minute road trip was in order. In just two days, we rented a car and planned a trip all around Southeast New South Wales, just south of Sydney. Before we knew it, Lauren, Charlotte, Shaunak, Evan, Anthony, and I set off towards the Jenolan Caves just a 3.5hr drive away. Full of wallabies hopping around on beautiful trails around the conservation reserve, the little Jenolan town more than exceeded our expectations. Not to mention the incredible caves! Stalagmites, stalactites, crystals, and a perfectly clear river were just a few of the attractions we witnessed on our guided tour. 

From there, we made our way towards Narooma, a small coastal town with an incredible beach and coastal view. On the way there we passed through a small national park, and I laid eyes on my first wild kangaroos! As soon as I saw one, I saw dozens. Some were single, some in pairs or small groups, but all blended in well with the surrounding trees. It was hard to contain my excitement in the car, but soon enough we would get up close and my excitement could infect my surroundings. While standing at the Narooma coast, we were pleasantly surprised to see seals sunbathing on rocks and even dolphins surfing the waves! As someone whose happiness levels directly correlate to the number of wild animals I’ve recently seen, I was beaming.

I haven’t even mentioned the infinite number of cows, sheep, goats, horses, and chickens we laid eyes on during the drive. I was honestly astonished at how similar rural Australia is to the rural areas of midwestern states. Just add some more hills and ocean beaches to Wisconsin, and before you know it you’ll feel like you’re in Australia. After Narooma, we drove to Jervis Bay where we watched the sunset and the next morning went to Cave Beach through Booderee National Park. There, we were greeted by two dozen kangaroos at the entrance to the beach. 

We had only spent 3 days outside the city and all of a sudden, kangaroos were commonplace. The trip ended with a drive through Kangaroo Valley to Fitzroy falls where we did a quick hike before heading towards Kiama, another coastal town not far from Sydney. 

Famous for Kiama’s Blowhole, a rock formation which shoots big ocean waves into the sky, Kiama was a cute town with nice shops and restaurants. 

Just like that, we were back in Coogee and I was back to soaking up the beauty right outside my own front door.

David Bayer

Biomedical Engineering

University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia

#umichenginabroad #ipewinter24 #australia #ipeunsw #davidbayer