Bellingen

Bellingen show ground 13th - 14th December

As show grounds go Bellengen wasn’t too bad. It could have been a lot better had the grounds been maintained to a higher standard. It did however have a lovely town within easy walking distance. 

Some of the architecture was stunning !

Very Art Deco in my humble opinion

There are many eateries/cafes in Bellingen and all of them seemed to be bustling.

 There is a wonderful sculpture to David Helfgott (Concert pianist). Helfgott’s life inspired the Oscar winning film ‘Shine’, in which he was played by Geoffrey Rush. 

As a young man Helfgott suffered a mental breakdown and spent 12 years in institutions.

The town can also lay claim to a great sportsman, as the cricketer, Adam Craig Gilchrist (wicket keeper and batsman) was born here.

We took a drive up the Waterfall Way to Dorrigo. Up yet another bloody mountain pass, I tell you if it wasn’t for the amazing views I would probably stay at sea level. 

Andrea on top of the world (well it felt like it was we were so high up)

Chris on top of the world

 This is Newell falls on the way up to Dorrigo, as you can see it is quite a placid waterfall when not in a bad mood!

This is Newell falls in a bad mood!

I didn't take this photograph but borrowed it from the net. As you can see Mother nature is awesome!

 We really enjoyed our trip up to Dorrigo and it was made even more special for me as I came across a tribute to a VC recipient. Trooper Mark Donaldson.

Awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia
Corporal Mark Gregor Strang Donaldson, VC

For most conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in a circumstance of great peril in Afghanistan as part of the Special Operations Task Group during Operation SLIPPER, Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan.

Corporal Mark Gregor Strang Donaldson enlisted into the Australian Army on 18 June 2002. After completing Recruit and Initial and Employment Training he was posted to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. Having successfully completed the Special Air Service Selection Course in April 2004, Corporal Donaldson was posted to Special Air Service Regiment in May 2004. 

On 2 September 2008, during the conduct of a fighting patrol, Corporal (then Trooper) Donaldson was travelling in a combined Afghan, US and Australian vehicle convoy that was engaged by a numerically superior, entrenched and coordinated enemy ambush. The ambush was initiated by a high volume of sustained machine gun fire coupled with the effective use of rocket propelled grenades. Such was the effect of the initiation that the combined patrol suffered numerous casualties, completely lost the initiative and became immediately suppressed. It was over two hours before the convoy was able to establish a clean break and move to an area free of enemy fire.

In the early stages of the ambush, Corporal Donaldson reacted spontaneously to regain the initiative. He moved rapidly between alternate positions of cover engaging the enemy with 66mm and 84mm anti-armour weapons as well as his M4 rifle. During an early stage of the enemy ambush, he deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire in order to draw attention to himself and thus away from wounded soldiers. This selfless act alone bought enough time for those wounded to be moved to relative safety.

As the enemy had employed the tactic of a rolling ambush, the patrol was forced to conduct numerous vehicle manoeuvres, under intense enemy fire, over a distance of approximately four kilometres to extract the convoy from the engagement area. Compounding the extraction was the fact that casualties had consumed all available space within the vehicles. Those who had not been wounded, including Corporal Donaldson, were left with no option but to run beside the vehicles throughout.  During the conduct of this vehicle manoeuvre to extract the convoy from the engagement area, a severely wounded coalition force interpreter was inadvertently left behind. Of his own volition and displaying complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Donaldson moved alone, on foot, across approximately 80 metres of exposed ground to recover the wounded interpreter. His movement, once identified by the enemy, drew intense and accurate machine gun fire from entrenched positions.  Upon reaching the wounded coalition force interpreter, Corporal Donaldson picked him up and carried him back to the relative safety of the vehicles then provided immediate first aid before returning to the fight.

On subsequent occasions during the battle, Corporal Donaldson administered medical care to other wounded soldiers, whilst continually engaging the enemy.

Corporal Donaldson’s acts of exceptional gallantry in the face of accurate and sustained enemy fire ultimately saved the life of a coalition force interpreter and ensured the safety of the other members of the combined Afghan, US and Australian force. Corporal Donaldson’s actions on this day displayed exceptional courage in circumstances of great peril. His actions are of the highest accord and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Special Operations Command, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.  

Personal Biography

Corporal Mark Gregor Strang Donaldson, VC

Mark Donaldson was born in Waratah, Newcastle, NSW on 2 April 1979. He spent his formative years in northern NSW where he graduated from high school in 1996.

Corporal Donaldson enlisted into the Australian Army on 18 June 2002 and entered recruit training at the Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka, NSW. He demonstrated an early aptitude for soldiering and was awarded the prizes for best shot and best at physical training in his platoon. Subsequently he was allocated to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and posted to the school of infantry at Singleton, NSW, where he excelled in his initial employment training. At the completion of this training he was again awarded best shot and best at physical training, as well as the award for the most outstanding soldier in his platoon.

He was posted to 1st battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Townsville, QLD in November 2002. It was during this time that Corporal Donaldson decided to pursue his ambition to join the Special Air Service Regiment.

In February 2004, he successfully completed the Special Air Service Regiment selection course and was posted to the regiment in May 2004. He was then posted to I Troop, 3 Special Air Service Squadron. Since that time he has been deployed on operations to East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.

On 12 August 2008, Corporal Donaldson was wounded in action whilst conducting nightime operations in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan. He recovered from his minor wounds and continued on the deployment.

Corporal Donaldson was involved in an incident on 2 September 2008 in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan that resulted in him being awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia. He was invested by her Excellency the Governor-General of Australia at Government House, Canberra on 16 January 2009. Corporal Donaldson remains posted to the Special Air Service Regiment in Perth, WA.

Corporal Donaldson is married to Emma and has a daughter, Kaylee. His parents are deceased.

What a truly amazing man.

Bellingen show grounds

Latitude -30 44  88S   Longitude 152 89 92E

Dump-point - No Toilets - Yes Water - Yes Pets - Yes Shower - Yes 

Length - Big rig Level - Ish Noise - No Grassed - Yes (needs more upkeep) Cost - $25 per night Time Limit - 2 weeks