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AN ACCIDENTAL BUSHMAN.
The Making of a Forest Ranger.
More great yarns from the author of "Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries".
Growing up in small town Taranaki, Ross wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. He just knew that he enjoyed hunting, hiking, trapping, fishing, … View moreAN ACCIDENTAL BUSHMAN.
The Making of a Forest Ranger.
More great yarns from the author of "Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries".
Growing up in small town Taranaki, Ross wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. He just knew that he enjoyed hunting, hiking, trapping, fishing, and exploring the wilds of New Zealand. The outdoors was Ross’ element.
During his first year out of secondary school, a chance newspaper advertisement launched Ross upon a career that would take him through many adventures over four decades, through 42 countries, and innumerable close shaves.
In An Accidental Bushman (the prequel to Cannibals, Crocodiles and Cassowaries, published in 2019), Ross tells about how it all came to be—and about some of the incorrigible larrikins, precarious predicaments, and hair-raising exploits that shaped his training and early career as a Forest Ranger in New Zealand.
Ross has a way of telling a story that draws you into the moment and sweeps you along with the action. There are plenty of laughs (some at Ross’s expense) and enough scrapes and shenanigans to make you wonder how Ross ever survived to write the book!
An Accidental Bushman sometimes reads like a hilarious instruction book of what not to do, with many of Ross’s ill-fated adventures stemming from what simply seems like a good idea at the time—like his disastrous introduction to boating with no experience, no safety gear, and ultimately no working engine! Ross makes a habit of crashing vehicles, manufactures cyanide possum bait (and lives to tell the tale), gets seriously lost in the bush, spends a night in a haunted hut, gets marooned on an island amidst swirling floodwaters, contracts hypothermia, and survives some memorable culinary disasters. It’s clear that without his uncanny knack of always falling on his feet, Ross wouldn’t be with us to tell these stories today.
Ross also shares yarns of the colourful bunch of larrikins with whom he trained, worked, and socialised, regaling us with tales of interrupted trysts, foul revenge, forest fires, thieving wildlife, crippling hangovers, poaching, parties, and motorised mayhem.
The book includes some 60 photographs from Ross’s vast collection which richly illustrate his writing.
Settle in for another book of rip-roaring adventures that’s as hard to put down as the last one!
Text Ross on 021662424
Price includes NZ postage.
Price: $25
CANNIBALS, CROCODILES AND CASSOWARIES.
A New Zealand Forest Ranger in the Jungles of Papua New Guinea.
More great yarns from the author of "An Accidental Bushman".
It is 1967 in Papua New Guinea.
Despite never having left New Zealand before, Ross takes to living and working in the … View moreCANNIBALS, CROCODILES AND CASSOWARIES.
A New Zealand Forest Ranger in the Jungles of Papua New Guinea.
More great yarns from the author of "An Accidental Bushman".
It is 1967 in Papua New Guinea.
Despite never having left New Zealand before, Ross takes to living and working in the jungle like he was born there, right down to learning Pidgin and eating bush meat from some particularly suspicious sources.
From hair-raising experiments with stump-blasting to being caught in the arrow-fire of a tribal battle, Ross’s life is never dull. He has a tug-of-war with a reef shark over his dinner catch, witnesses (and photographs) a young men’s initiation ritual that few non-natives have ever seen, visits cannibals and head-hunters in their isolated villages, gets caught in storms at sea in an open boat, climbs to ancient rock-paintings and burial caves, experiences the mysterious power of native superstition, races against time to get death adder victims to hospital, witnesses more post-mortems than he cares to remember, gets arrested in PNG’s Eastern Highlands for photographing a chain gang at work (and talks his way free with photos intact), goes crocodile hunting with a barking dog for bait, seeks out the isolated tribe that suffers from the “laughing death” (kuru), encounters fascinating customs among isolated tribes, and collects the artefacts that formed the backbone of the National Museum of New Zealand’s PNG collection at that time.
When he encounters jungle bridges that have lost their decks, he drives his Holden across the stringers! When asked by the NZ National Museum’s Curator of Pacific Ethnology to procure or photograph a rare fertility figure that no-one in PNG is even prepared to talk about, Ross makes a secretive deal with a witchdoctor that results in him smuggling one out of a remote village wrapped in his spare shirt.
Text Ross on 021662424
Price includes NZ postage
Price: $25
Rats & Mice are back!
Contact PESTWORX - the Rodent Control specialists
0800 737 896 | 09 407 7389
info@pestworx.co.nz
A plan to offer Covid-19 vaccines to everyone over 50 in Northland has been called “a shambles”, as those over 75, who should have been high priority, cannot get a booking to get their dose. Last week, Northland District Health Board decided to buck Ministry of Health recommendations and open … View moreA plan to offer Covid-19 vaccines to everyone over 50 in Northland has been called “a shambles”, as those over 75, who should have been high priority, cannot get a booking to get their dose. Last week, Northland District Health Board decided to buck Ministry of Health recommendations and open up its vaccine clinics to all over-50s. But with 73,000 Northlanders in this age group, it has been overwhelmed with demand, receiving an average of 50 calls an hour and more than 2000 emails to book an appointment. Have you had the same problems, or have you been able to book a vaccine appointment?
This week in Dargaville we have a “make an offer table” on selected items only. We are at 48 Victoria Street Dargaville. Come and see what’s on offer and make an offer on selected items.
here is the chance for clever Kerikeri people, incl. children, to train their intelligence! On 26 June starts the Kerikeri chess club (11am-2 pm at the library). Please come and enjoy the game that puts fact above mere opinion!
NZ small businesses believe in themselves, we believe in them too. That’s why we offer small business loans up to $300K to support cash flow or help them invest in the future.
Business Loan applications take less than 10 minutes online, you’ll get a fast decision and funding is possible in … View moreNZ small businesses believe in themselves, we believe in them too. That’s why we offer small business loans up to $300K to support cash flow or help them invest in the future.
Business Loan applications take less than 10 minutes online, you’ll get a fast decision and funding is possible in 24 hours. Plus, no asset security is required upfront to access funding up to $150K.
Prospa is New Zealand’s small business lending specialist, and we’re here to help you reach your next milestone. Get in touch with our team of friendly business lending specialists today!
New Zealand Post have published a warning to customers after several variations of a scam email were reported over the past 24 hours.
The email asks to correct personal details because of a failed parcel delivery.
The email directs the recipient to 'schedule a new delivery'. If any… View moreNew Zealand Post have published a warning to customers after several variations of a scam email were reported over the past 24 hours.
The email asks to correct personal details because of a failed parcel delivery.
The email directs the recipient to 'schedule a new delivery'. If any individual has received these emails, NZ Post has advised to delete it immediately.
In a statement sent to Neighbourly, NZ Post confirmed that it had taken 24 websites offline in relation to the scam.
For more information on the scam, please see the NZ Post's Cyber Security Alerts page.
Want to hit the road and seeking inspiration to go somewhere new in the central North Island? Help is just a click away!
We’ve done the hard work for you creating over 60 fantastic breaks you can use to plan that quick weekend away, a short break, or take that long-awaited roadie.
We give … View moreWant to hit the road and seeking inspiration to go somewhere new in the central North Island? Help is just a click away!
We’ve done the hard work for you creating over 60 fantastic breaks you can use to plan that quick weekend away, a short break, or take that long-awaited roadie.
We give you the ideas – you just choose when and where, and pack the car. Time to get planning!
We are PROUD to share the release of Northland Escapes that was inserted yesterday into the Sunday Star Times - north of Taupo. It is FULL of beautiful images and information SHOWCASING the "Hidden Treasures" we have here in Northland. Enjoy.
www.neighbourly.co.nz...
Perfect for … View moreWe are PROUD to share the release of Northland Escapes that was inserted yesterday into the Sunday Star Times - north of Taupo. It is FULL of beautiful images and information SHOWCASING the "Hidden Treasures" we have here in Northland. Enjoy.
www.neighbourly.co.nz...
Perfect for visitors to our region.
This week is Bake Week at the Red Cross shop in Dargaville. Now that the days are getting colder it’s time for those yummy hot baked treats. At the Red Cross shop in Dargaville we have lots of items to help you make those special treats. Come and see us at 48 Victoria Street.
We're very excited to announce Competenz as our new Neighbourly partner. Competenz is an Industry Training Organisation and helps people develop their skills on the job.
We truly believe in the work they do to help people gain apprenticeships, build their skills and work alongside New … View moreWe're very excited to announce Competenz as our new Neighbourly partner. Competenz is an Industry Training Organisation and helps people develop their skills on the job.
We truly believe in the work they do to help people gain apprenticeships, build their skills and work alongside New Zealand businesses.
Please join us in welcoming Competenz and stay tuned for job listings and other exciting content!
The Ministry of Social Development has recently updated the Guide for Carers, a valuable resource for those who care for family, whānau, āiga or friends with a health condition, a disability, an injury, or a physical or mental illness.
It covers a range of topics such as financial help, … View moreThe Ministry of Social Development has recently updated the Guide for Carers, a valuable resource for those who care for family, whānau, āiga or friends with a health condition, a disability, an injury, or a physical or mental illness.
It covers a range of topics such as financial help, assessing needs, getting help at home and being able to take a break from caring.
The Guide for Carers is available online now: bit.ly...
For more information about resources like this and other advice, read our SuperSeniors newsletter: bit.ly...
Hi neighbours,
Would you support the introduction of MMP to local body elections?
A former Labour minister has called on the government to implement MMP as the voting system for local body elections in a bid to 'fix' local government.
Peter Neilson, an economist, is a former … View moreHi neighbours,
Would you support the introduction of MMP to local body elections?
A former Labour minister has called on the government to implement MMP as the voting system for local body elections in a bid to 'fix' local government.
Peter Neilson, an economist, is a former Labour MP for Miramar, a Minister of Revenue, Works and Associate Minister of Finance. Neilson explains how MMP could have a positive impact on civic participation after data from Internal Affairs showed a decline in voter turnout.
Around four out of 10 New Zealanders on the electoral role turned out to vote in the last set of local elections. In comparison, around seven or eight out 10 voted in the general election last year.
Share your thoughts below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comment featured in the Northern News.
It’s a time for fine-tuning your skills and pushing the boundaries, catching up with your mates and heading off on new adventures at the drop of a hat! No, we’re not talking about your 20s, we’re talking about your retirement.
Ross’ retirement saw the beginning of his musical journey … View moreIt’s a time for fine-tuning your skills and pushing the boundaries, catching up with your mates and heading off on new adventures at the drop of a hat! No, we’re not talking about your 20s, we’re talking about your retirement.
Ross’ retirement saw the beginning of his musical journey where his passion quickly evolved from making music, to crafting guitars. It all started when Ross and some mates joined a music group where the camaraderie and togetherness were just as important as the music.
Living in a Ryman village, Ross can continue living life to the full in his retirement because they are places where you don’t retire from life, you find a new way to live .
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