Weird and Wonderful Weather

As you enter the city of Maitland you notice an interesting arrangement of poles. Each pole was created to recount the history of a flood in the area. As one gazes at each pole it has its own unique story to tell. Poles address the essence of each flood as they stand as if on parade. They close ranks to signify their stoic stance against the waters that seek to wash them away. In June, 2007 some thought that the waters might rise again but luck or engineering thwarted the rising flood tide. However, people around and about the city were not so fortunate and many homes were inundated that very long weekend. That was also the weekend when the bulk ship the Pasha Bulka was grounded on the sand at Nobby's Beach at Newcastle. Storms of every kind we've now experienced. First floods and then dust storms.

September 2009 Maitland woke to an eerie sky. Was it smoke? Was it cloud? Hard to tell at first. It was dust. Dust that had travelled silently, with great stealth to still the Sun in its tracks. To choke the air we breathed. Where did it come from? Where did it go? It left a red, brown legacy to mark its journey. It had travelled far to reach our town. Most stayed indoors where possible. Streets usually busy with traffic revealled a lone, brave car. It cruised a street left becalmed but for the dust.