Category Archives: Fan Interviews & Art

Interviews with Trev & Transformer Fans alike, along with a nice dose of Fan Art sent in to tickle your artistic sensibilities.

Fan Interviews & Art, Tales of the Trev, Transformatorium, Videos

Video: Interviews at Transformers Rise of the Beasts Preview Screening

June 10, 2023 Big Angry Trev Leave a comment

On Thursday the 8^th of June, here in Australia, some of us lucky few were chosen to attend a Special Preview Screening of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

Love getting invitied to these special events – thanks Hasbro and Paramount!

The lads Mikey and Clinton from the Toy Reel channel were invited along to do a pre-movie taping, discussing the potentials of the new film as well as interviewing some of the special guests attending. This included professional film reviewer David Quinn, as well as fans Wes and Kelvin.

And naturally, if they are interviewing people they weren’t going to miss out on that master of all things Transformers, the curator of the world famous Transformatorium, Big Angry Trev himself!

So enjoy this discussion from the lads from Toy Reel and their 4 interviewee’s (if you want to be naughty and watch the bit with me first, its at the 8.20 mark 😉)

Don’t forget to check out all the other video’s on the Toy Reel YouTube channel, and give them a like and subscribe while you are there 😊

Other Big Angry Trev Interviews:

Video: Interviews at More than Meets the Eye Exhibition

The Transformatorium Makes Front Page News!

Fan Interviews & Art, Tales of the Trev, Transformatorium

The Transformatorium Makes Front Page News!

June 5, 2023 Big Angry Trev 1 Comment

The Transformatorium, my personal collectors shed with over 5000 pieces of Transformers merchandise, was featured in the Mudgee Guardian Newspaper last month.

It appeared on the newspapers website on the 24^th of May 2023 and was printed on May 26th. The link to the Mudgee Guardian website story can be found HERE.

It was also featured in the Maitland Mercury, the link can be found HERE.

Something that was a bit of a laugh was when I went to pick up a copy of the newspaper, the guys in the newsagents recognised me from the front page and had me sign a bunch of copies.

Signing autographs: gotta keep the public happy

For those readers who are not local to our region, and therefore unlikely to have an online subscription to the newspaper or have picked up a physical copy, please find a roughly accurate transcript of the interview below, as originally written by Mudgee Guardian Editor Benjamin Palmer.

Inside a relatively nondescript shed 40 minutes from Mudgee lives one of the largest collections of Transformers figures and merchandise in the world.

The collection is owned by ‘Big Angry Trev’ who has spent nearly his entire life amassing a seriously impressive collection of more than 5000 pieces of Transformers paraphernalia from its inception in 1984 to present.

The Mudgee Guardian was invited to Trevor’s purpose-built shed that he has dubbed the ‘Transformatorium’ to view the collection and talk to Trevor about his passion for the shiny shapeshifters.

Trevor was seven years old when he received his first Transformers figurine, a generation one Decepticon named Dirge that transforms into a jet. Trevor, as he put it because his son was in the room, ‘lost his poop’, and the love for Transformers has not waned in the nearly 40 years since.

“It was just something new and interesting I hadn’t seen before, it wasn’t the usual superheroes flying around with their capes with their underpants on outside. It seemed to have everything,” he said.

“If you liked robots, there’s robots. If you liked cars, if you liked planes, it had all of that. If you liked dinosaurs it has giant robot dinosaurs – so it really captured my imagination from the beginning.”

Upon entering the Transformatorium it is hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of items housed inside the shed which sits adjacent to the family home.

You’re greeted with floor-to-ceiling views of Trevor’s collection which includes more than 4000 individual figures of all sizes and rarities from all generations as well as more than 1000 pieces of merchandise like t-shirts, DVDs, video games, cushions and even a floor mat.

Photo courtesy of Mudgee Guardian Website

Trevor spent his time during COVID lockdown fitting out the interior with enough shelving to display the collection, which continues to grow.

“This is one of the largest collections in the world. I hadn’t intended to reach this [point] – it was more I just really enjoyed it and it was a fun, harmless hobby and it seemed to interest other people.

“People would pass on their kid’s older toys or they’d pass on their old toys from when they were kids themselves…,” he said.

“I just kept collecting and they kept bringing out new versions of classic characters and great new characters, then they started making new cartoons and live-action movies and it just became a hobby that I thought was dead but now is suddenly alive and brimming once again.”

Trevor’s collection and his prolific online presence mean he is well-known among not only the Transformers community but has also attracted the attention of Hasbro and Paramount, the owners of the franchise and the publisher of the Transformers films respectively.

“There’s been a lot of promotional events around the release of the latest film,” Trevor said.

“I got invited to do the Beasts Base Camp at Taronga Zoo, after [the company] wanted some representatives of the fandom. Also the More than Meets the Eye Exhibition. It’s been very gratifying to be invited to take part in these events.”

“It’s a bit of fun. My son Orion is a big Transformers fan too so he usually comes to these events with me.”

Photo courtesy of the Mudgee Guardian website

Trevor’s 10-year-old son Orion, who sported a Transformers shirt and pants himself on the day of the tour, said he is as much of a fan as his dad.

“They [Transformers] all look really cool and the cartoons are really good,” Orion said.

“My favourite is the Bumblebee movie, it’s really good. [And I like] Bumblebee, both old and new.”

According to the Guiness Book of World Records online, the largest collection of Transformers memorabilia consists of 5,150 items, and was achieved by AJ Ard in the USA on 5 September 2022. Trevor hinted that he might have a go at besting that record one day.

“It is getting crowded but we’re not out of room just yet,” he laughed.

With visitors travelling to the from as far away as Sydney to view the collection, Trevor embraces all corners of the fandom and distilled his love for the franchise, while also lamenting the sometimes toxic online discourse around it.

“I do it for the love of it. It’s toy robots, it’s supposed to be fun,” he said.

“If you’re not having fun what’s the point?”

The Transformatorium is not open to the public, however anyone who wants to get in touch for a tour or would like to donate any Transformers items can get in touch via the Big Angry Trev’s Transformatorium page on Facebook or the Big Angry Trev website.

Fan Interviews & Art, Tales of the Trev, Transformatorium, Videos

Video: Interviews at More than Meets the Eye Exhibition

April 29, 2023 Big Angry Trev Leave a comment

For the past 6 weeks the fabulous More than Meets the Eye Exhibition has been on show at Kings Comics in Sydney. This has consisted of original Transformers artworks by recognized modern artists, as well as toy displays by prominent Australian collectors, showcasing Transformers merchandise from the past 25 years.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE EXHIBITION

I was lucky enough to be invited to the VIP Opening Night of the exhibition and while there, along with Eddie Zammit – the curator of the exhibition, and Toy Exhibitor Lisamree Chiu, I was interviewed by the lads from Each To Their Own in their That Figures! series of videos. Check out their video below:

You can find more video’s by these talented guys at @EachToTheirOwn – make sure to check them out! And speaking of checking things out, make sure you get down to Kings Comics to see the Exhibition by Radio Velvet before it finishes up at the end of April!

Fan Interviews & Art, Games & Competitions

VOTE FOR THE GREATEST 100 SONGS OF ALL TIME!

March 9, 2022 Big Angry Trev 27 Comments

Every year various radio stations do their ‘Top 100’. Triple J has their ‘Hottest 100’, Triple M has their ‘Best 100’ and so on. But these only cover the preceding 12 months – yawn – and frankly, a lot of crap songs make their way into the playlists.

On The Big DJ Trev Show at Krrfm we think bigger. MUCH BIGGER. The best 100 songs of the last year? Pfff…. small potatoes. On The Big DJ Trev Show we are doing the ‘GREATEST 100 OF ALL TIME!’

Poster by extremely talented anonymous artist

That’s right loyal listeners – yours truly has gone through the music libraries of the world and found the GREATEST SONGS IN ALL OF HISTORY! And YOU get to VOTE on them! Voting will take place through March 2022 with the songs then being played in April. Also, no band appears on the list twice, so you have over a hundred artists to choose from – stretching from the 60’s all the way up to the 2020’s! Check out the list below:

ARTIST	SONG
Alanis Morrissette	All I Really Want (1995)
Alien Ant Farm	Smooth Criminal (2001)
Art vs Science	Parlez-Vous Francais? (2009)
Aqua	Barbie Girl (1997)
Ashlee Simpson	La La (2004)
Babymetal	Road of Resistance (2014)
Beastie Boys	Sabotage (1994)
Ben Folds Five	Underground (1995)
Beyonce	Crazy in Love (2003)
Bjork	It’s Oh So Quiet (1995)
Bloodhound Gang	Mope (1999)
Bluejuice	Broken Leg (2009)
Bonnie Tyler	Holding Out for a Hero (1984)
Boogie Pimps	Somebody to Love (2003)
Brittney Spears	Toxic (2003)
Butterfingers	FIGJAM (2006)
Cake	The Distance (1996)
Cheap Trick	Transformers (The Fallen Remix) (2009)
Daphne & Celeste	School’s Out (2000)
Dave Dobbyn	Slice of Heaven (1986)
Deee-Lite	Groove is in the Heart (1990)
Deadeye Dick	New Age Girl (1994)
Divinyls	I Touch Myself (1990)
DJ Sammy	Boys of Summer (2002)
Drapht	Jimmy Ricard (2008)
Dune Rats	6 Pack (2017)
DVDA	What would Brian Boitano Do (1999)
Eiffel 65	Blue (1998)
Eminem	Just Lose It (2004)
Foo Fighters	The Pretender (2007)
Fun Lovin’ Criminals	Scooby Snacks (1996)
Garbage	Vow (1995)
Girls Aloud	Sound of the Underground (2003)
Gorillaz	19-2000 (2001)
H-BlockX	The Power (2002)
Henry Rollins	Liar (1994)
Hilltop Hoods	Capturing the Vibe Restrung (2007)
Hole	Celebrity Skin (1998)
Ida Maria	I like you so much better when you’re naked (2008)
Iggy Pop	Lust for Life (1977)
Josh Pyke	Middle of the Hill (2007)
Justin Timberlake	SexyBack (2006)
KMFDM	Ultra (1995)
Kylie Minogue	Did it again (1997)
Lene Alexandra	My Boobs Are OK (2008)
Lily Allen	Alfie (2006)
Linkin Park	What I’ve Done (2007)
Limp Bizkit	Break Stuff (1999)
Madison Avenue	Who The Hell Are You (2000)
Madonna	Beautiful Stranger (1999)
Max Graham Vs Yes	Owner of a Lonely Heart (2005)
Michelle Branch	All You Wanted (2001)
Mindless Self Indulgence	Bitches (2000)
MGMT	Kids (2007)
Monty Pythons	Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (1989)
Mousse T. Vs The Dandy Warhols	Horny as a Dandy (2006)
Nine Inch Richards	Closer to Hogs (1995)
N.R.G	Instruments of Destruction (1986)
Namie Amuro	Hide & Seek (2007)
No Doubt	Just A Girl (1995)
Oasis	Wonderwall (1995)
P-Control	Clown Song (2015)
Perry Farrell	Hot Lava (1998)
Pez	The Festival Song (2004)
Psy	Gangnam Style (2013)
Queen	Don’t Stop Me Now (1979)
Rammstien	Engel (1997)
Ray Parker Jr.	Ghostbusters (1984)
Red Hot Chilli Peppers	Love Rollercoaster (1996)
Rednex	Cotton Eye Joe (1995)
Regurgitator	Sucked a lot of C*ck to get where I am (1996)
Rhianna	Cheers (Drink to That) (2010)
Robert Palmer	Simply Irresistible (1988)
Romeo Void	Never Say Never (1982)
Rouge Traders	I Never Liked You (2007)
Seth Sentry	The Waitress Song (2008)
Sir Mix-A-Lot	Baby Got Back (1992)
Smashing Pumpkins	Doomsday Clock (2007)
Sophie-Ellis Bexter	Murder on the Dancefloor (2001)
Stan Bush	The Touch (1986)
Spectre General	Nothin’s Gonna Stand In Our Way (1986)
Spiderbait	Buy Me A Pony (1996)
tATu	All the things she said (2002)
Tenacious D	Tribute (2001)
TISM	(He’ll Never Be) Ol’ Man River (1995)
The Avalanches	Frontier Psychiatrist (2000)
The B-52’s	Love Shack (1989)
The Beards	You should consider having sex with a bearded man (2012)
The Cat Empire	The Car Song (2005)
The Chats	Pub Feed (2020)
The Cops	Call Me Anytime (2007)
The Cybertronic Spree	Dare (2019)
The Jon Butler Trio	Funky Tonight (2007)
The Grates	19-20-20 (2006)
The Killers	The Man (2017)
The Legendary Stardust Cowboy	Paralyzed (1968)
The Offspring	Come out and play (1994)
The Presets	My People (2008)
The Primitives	Crash (1986)
The Proclaimers	I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) (1987)
The Presidents of the United States of America	Back Porch (1995)
The Supermen Lovers	Starlight (2001)
The Timelords	Doctorin’ The Tardis (1988)
The Ting Tings	That’s not my Name (2008)
The Verve	Bittersweet Symphony (1997)
The Wombats	Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves) (2010)
Tracey Bonham	Mother Mother (1996)
Weird Al	Your Horoscope for Today (1999)
White Town	Your Woman (1997)
William Shatner	Common People (2004)

How do I vote?

Vote for your Favorite Song/s

In the comments section at the bottom of this Blog Post, put your pick for the best song out of the list provided. And we here at the Big Angry Trev blog won’t make you adhere to no stinkin rules! You want to vote for just one song – that’s fine! You want to vote for your fav 10 songs? That’s fine too! You want to order the entire list from 1 to 100 according to what you think is best? You champion! You will get a shout out live on the air for that!

Vote a Song Out

You’ll note there are more than 100 songs in the list. So you get to vote one out! Vote for which song you think has no business being in the top 100 songs of all time and it’ll get the boot!

Make a Suggestion

Is there a favourite song of yours that didn’t make the list? Pop it in the comments along with the rest of your votes. If it’s a good suggestion it will get some airtime!

Who could you trust better to bring you the best music that has ever existed?

So in summary:

*Vote for your favorite songs

*Vote out a song you hate

*Make a suggestion for a song that should be on the list

And that’s it! So peruse the list above and then listen in! Voting will take place for the rest of March, then starting in April, every Thursday night from 6 to 9pm (AEST) on The Big DJ Trev Show on Krrfm we will work our way from 100 all the way up to Number 1!

Now Get Voting!

Fan Interviews & Art

‘The Big DJ Trev Show’ Promo Pics

July 30, 2021 Big Angry Trev Leave a comment

As is my custom, each week I put up on various Social Media (such as the Big Angry Trev! Facebook Group) promo pics reminding you good folk to tune in for some awesome music and witty (if sometimes somewhat insane) banter between me, myself and I on The Big DJ Trev Show!

Please enjoy the first two dozen of those promo pics, including those from the weeks where I was lucky enough to have some co-hosts join me for the fun!

The Big DJ Trev Show

Co-Host Shots

So don’t forget – 6 to 9pm AEST every Thursday – tune in to The Big DJ Trev Show on KRR-fm for kickass music and my own brand of lunacy, you wont be disappointed!

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Fan Interviews & Art

Being named Karen in a world of “Karen’s”

July 5, 2021 Big Angry Trev 3 Comments

When a celebrity comes forth that has the same name as you, it can be kinda annoying. How many Keanu’s out there spent years being asked ‘what’s it like in The Matrix?’ for example.

Well sometimes it can be worse, especially when the name you were innocently given at birth by loving parents gets associated with something negative (the name Adolph doesn’t get used much anymore eh). And now in the 21st century one of those names is Karen.

So whats it like being named Karen in a world where ‘Karen’ has become such a negative connotation – a pejorative rather than a first name if you will? To find out I asked my cousin Karen, who though Karen by name is definitely not a ‘Karen’ by nature.

*Please Note: to avoid confusion, the adjective usage of Karen will always appear in italics with talking marks – ‘Karen’; it’s usage as a first name will be simply Karen.

Over the past few years ‘Karen’ has become an increasingly popular term to describe women that are privileged and demanding, insisting on their own way, becoming used as the adjective ‘Karen’ rather than simply a first name. How does it feel to have your birth name used as an insult to others? It is irritating or something you just laugh off?

Well at first it was funny and I myself got a good laugh out of it… especially with the “Covid Karen” Now I’m starting to find it a little annoying and offensive and I find myself saying (when I’m asked for my name) “I’m not one of those Karen’s!”

The term ‘Karen’ to describe a woman who feels the desire to complain first cropped up in 2016 and then gained popularity in 2017 from where it has continued to spread. Do you think it will eventually disappear to be replaced by something else, or is the term here to stay?

I think it will eventually be replaced by another name but I feel it will still pop up from time to time. Especially from my family.

In the town you reside in, in December 2019, a woman actually named Karen performed a very ‘Karen’ act which was trying (unsuccessfully) to rip down her neighbors Aboriginal Flag and questioning his ancestry. The video of this went viral worldwide, earning the tag #toostrongforyoukaren and even lead to an anti-racism rally. The incident has been resurrected in 2021 with the Karen in question currently attempting to sue over 30 news outlets that reported the story. How did it affect you that another woman named Karen did a ‘Karen’ act in your very own town, thereby reinforcing the idea that the name can be used as an insult against women?

‘Story run by one of the outlets being sued – note the lack of surname usage’

I was actually disgusted and angry at what happened here in 2019. I was actually embarrassed to tell people my name was Karen as the “Karen thing” went crazy everywhere.

In October 2020 the San Francisco Police Code officially introduced the Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies (CAREN) Act. This was to prohibit the fabrication of racially biased emergency reports – essentially to stop white women calling the police to come arrest black families who were guilty of nothing, something ‘Karen’s’ in the US are most well known for. Do you think the ‘Karen’ phenomena is predominantly an American cultural issue, or do you think it is worldwide?

I think it’s pretty much a world wide thing, just in different degrees.

Some have said the insult ‘Karen’ is both sexist against females and racist against Caucasian women. Where do you stand on this?

I don’t find it sexist or racist. I don’t feel it’s aimed solely at white females in general. I’ve actually hear the “Karen tag” used on a couple of men.

I hesitate to ever use the term ‘Karen’ because of our relationship, and we are simply cousins who have not seen each other in many years and primarily interact with each other on Social Media. What about the people closer to you in your life like friends and family, do they ever use the term ‘Karen’? Or do they refrain from doing so because of their relationship to you?

Well my family use it quite often! ️ It’s a bit of an inside joke around our house, but they have never used it outside the house in front of others. I think they know that it was a bit of a joke to start with when it all first started but a few of the “Karen’s” have gone a bit to far and caused problems and it is no longer funny.

Have you yourself ever watched any ‘Karen’ videos, such as the Bunnings Incident in Melbourne of last year?

“I have the right to do whatever I want!”

Ohhhh yes… how could you miss it!! Plastered all over TV and social media. Bunnings “Karen” was a total disgrace and certainly didn’t do anything to help the “Karen Thing!”

And finally, what would you say to the following groups:

*Other women named Karen:

Well I guess while they are picking on “Karen’s” they are leaving someone else’s name alone.

*Women who act like ‘Karen’s’:

Don’t stereotype Karen’s… there are plenty of Julie’s or Jans (or whoever’s) out there who act just like “Karen’s”

*People that use the name Karen as an insult:

Obviously they’re vocabulary is very limited 😂

Many thanks to my lovely cousin Karen for doing this interview.

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Fan Interviews & Art, Transformatorium

Transformer Fan Interview – Trent

March 26, 2021 Big Angry Trev Leave a comment

It’s been a few months since the last installment, but we have another entry in the ever popular Transformer Fan Interviews! In this latest interview with Aussie TF collectors we are talking to Trent, a good bloke who is always willing to help a mate out with a sought toy, or provide some online sparring to entertain and amuse.

Name and/or nicknames: – Trent

Family? Yes

Career? Tiny cog in the ever churning capitalist machine

How would you rate yourself on a C scale, C10 being MISB Mint perfection, to the lowest C1 ‘junker not worth it even for parts’? C6 – 99% complete but has significant wear in joints and stickers are faded. It would also appear that there are no reprolabels available for my model.

How would you rate your attraction to Big Angry Trev? With one being ‘very’ to 10 being ‘I purposely shave my head and paint a red dot on top in the hopes Trev mistakes it for a giant breast and lavishes it with his tongue’? – Sorry. I’m not attracted to overcooked lobster.

Editor’s Note: Smarmy arsehole

Fan/Collector since (year)? So, I was thinking about this a few weeks ago. I was trying to figure out when I got my first Transformer. The earliest TF memory I have was of stealing a G1 Hot Rod from the kid that lived across the street. He brought it over to play with and I thought it was so awesome that I hid it under my bed and he went home having forgot about it. My elaborate ruse came undone however when I took it to school and the taxi driver noticed that my shiny new Hot Rod was the same as the shiny new Hot Rod that the kid across the road had lost. So I sadly marched over to his house and proclaimed that I had found it under the lounge! Hooray!! After that I recall a G1 Optimus and Ultra Magnus showing up as well as a Kup. It kinda snowballed from there. I stopped collecting once I hit year 6 or so and agreed to sell all my TFs to assist with some family financial troubles.

I watched a bit of Beast Wars when I was a teenager but it wasn’t until my 20’s when I saw an Armada Starscream in K-Mart that my interest rekindled. I loved that Starscream and still have it today. I collected quite the number of Armada, Cybertron, G1 reissues and so forth but stored them all at my mother-in-law’s place when we bought our first home. It wasn’t until some years later I went back to get them that I realised she threw them all out without even asking me. While at the time I was beyond pissed these days I don’t hold it against her though as they are just things, not people. These days I collect a bit of everything. MP, G1, Generations, Cyberverse, third party, whatever tickles my fancy really.

Transformers Allegiance, if you had one? I suppose it’d be Autobot? Being a Decepticon seems like a lot of effort. Like Megatron would expect you to do things, and not pay you overtime for it. Optimus seems a bit more laid back. Like he’d let you take of early on Friday and would understand if you threw the occasional sicky on a Monday.

Your Techspec motto if you had one? Megatron can kiss my shiny metal @*$!

Editor’s Note: Referencing Whirl referencing Bender? Very meta.

What existing, official Transformers character best describes you? G1 Outback

Which special ability of any Transformers character would you want to have for yourself? Mirage’s invisibility. Maybe then I could get a minute of peace and quiet.

What drew you to Transformers, making you become a fan/collector? Giant fighting robots that transform. I’m a bit of an engineering nerd. I’m not an engineer, because that would be a horrible job. But cool engineering of any kind fascinates me and I have a very logical brain. So I view them as a sort of 3D puzzle.

Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die? I ask myself this a lot. I’ve been through enough up and down collecting phases that I’m not too bothered when I get a bit bored with the franchise. In fact I’m probably not at my most interested right now. I have a ton of unopened TFs and my displays are in a bit of disarray. However I know I’ll come back around. And my son is obsessed with TFs and playing games with him is seriously one of the highlights of my life. But will there be a time to get out of the hobby? I’m not one who sees this hobby as an investment. If you think you’re gonna cash out of this hobby ahead or even anywhere near equal are you need to go speak to a financial advisor and prepare yourself for a shock. But that’s not why I do it. I buy them because I think they’re really neat. And as long as I enjoy them, then I’ll keep them. I think my son will happily take my collection when I die and that would be the best possible outcome for me. As it is he’s become somewhat of a TF collector himself and the grand old age of 6. He’s particularly into toy photography and he’s not bad at it. I’ve added a few of his photos for a bit of fun.

Do people outside of the hobby know you collect TFs (like at work/school)? Maybe 6 people at work know. I don’t advertise it. I work in a blue collar industry and while I don’t care what other people think of me, I also don’t see the point of making my life harder than it has to be. Because while some of my colleagues are great people, they’re old school and if they found out I collected toys, there’d be no malice in it, but I’d literally hear about it every single work day until they all retired or I left because I work with some BIG personalities.

Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends? Family aren’t worth squat if you have to hide who you are from them. My dad kinda rolls his eyes and grumbles at the money I sometimes spend but he’s cool. My mum usually notices when I add new ones to my displays and asks me about them. My brothers are cool too.

Editors Note: I get the feeling Trent’s son approves of his hobby as well

What does your partner think of your hobby? My wife is the most awesome person ever. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive partner even though she’s not into any of my “Nerd Stuff” as she calls it. She bought me that Armada Starscream all those years ago and more recently, when I was worried about the cost, told me if I didn’t preorder the HasLab Unicron, she’d do it herself. I sometimes feel really bad because she doesn’t collect anything. So I make sure when something does catch her eye, she gets it.

Have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions? Been to lots of Paramatta Toy Fairsover the years. I don’t live in Sydney so it’s always a bit of a hike for me to get to these things. Been to a few Penrith fairs but my god! I don’t go that far on holiday so I only went to them on occasion. And now with COVID canning everything I haven’t seen anyone all year. I do have a chat group with a few fellow TF collectors and that has actually grown into solid friendships with all of them so that is great. We are always there to chat with one another and they have helped me through a few rough times, if only by making me laugh.

Editor’s Note: Back atcha buddy

Any creative endeavours with Transformers (drawing, writing, customising, etc)? I did draw an Optimus Prime the other day. We had a new appliance delivered and my son wanted the box to turn into an art space. I’d just like to let IDW know that I am available and that I’m sure we can work out a mutually agreeable fee.

Favourite series/era/year, and why? The default answer is G1. I grew up with it, it’s what started it all and it still permeates every part of the franchise to this day. But to leave that as my answer would be a disservice to the franchise. I think there are so many good stories and toys that the franchise has put out over it’s life that they need a mention. Animated would be the one that comes to the forefront of my mind. It was so divisive when it came out. The new aesthetic and take of the story was a radical departure from what had come before and even I didn’t like it at first. But it grew on me and now my animated figures are a highlight of my collection.

And as a subgroup, even though it is G1, I can’t not mention Micromasters. Any TF fans with kids will know what I’m talking about. They are just so much fun and so easy. Once you add in the big sets like Skystalker or Countdown, maybe throw in a G1 Fort Max as a base and watch your kids play, or even play with them, you really have distilled the whole franchise down into its purest form.

Collect any comics? I collect the collected IDW editions. I’m about 5 years behind but slowly catching up. On my ipad I have read up until around the time that Megatron defeats the DJD and just haven’t had the time to go back to them to finish them, but I will.

Favourite Comic issue/story, and why? I love Autobot Megatron in MTMTE. The idea of a reformed genocidal maniac responsible for the deaths of billions of beings across the galaxy getting stuck on a ship sharing command with an egotistical brat, an almost OCD second-in-command and a crew of clowns on a quest is a marvellous concept. The way James Robert’s was able to set the light, humorous tone but also incorporate moments in which the gravity of who Megatron was and what he had done was fully realised by the reader was great writing.

Favourite Cartoon episode/story, and why? I, like everyone else, was always partial to Call of the Primatives. I wish the whole series could have been animated to that level.

Favourite Character, and why? My favourite character has always been Ultra Magnus. I have a strong suspicion that the G1 UM was the first TF I ever got. And I loved it. I remember playing with it and taking it everywhere. I even kept it in its box.

You can imagine my disappointment then when nearly every iteration of Magnus throughout the franchise has been, in my opinion, a chump. G1 Magnus was this hulking, powerful bot yet hardly ever did anything of value. Animated UM was an arrogant tool, only outdone by Jerky McJerkface himself. The original Marvel run saw him have a very cool story however it eventually led to a very unsatisfying end. IDW MTMTE was good and his latest iteration, the Netflix Siege version, had a decent ark I suppose but still didn’t live anywhere near up to the expectations 5 year old me had.

I’ve always wanted to see Magnus as a more measured, logical and restrained version of Grimlock. A powerhouse that could unleash hell when he needed to but was always conscious of the fallout and collateral damage that doing so would cause.

Sexiest Transformers (robot) Character? Rung. Because I’m sure there’s fan fiction about that alt-mode…

Which Transformers character would you want to exist for real? Sky Lynx. Because Sky Lynx is awesome and anyone who disagrees can bugger off.

Approx TFs toy collection count (or give a range like 200s, 300s, etc): 200-300? My collection has always been this evolving thing. But it’s starting to climb in numbers. Especially now my son is kinda a young collector.

I think our sons would get along real swell

Sealed collector or out-of-packaging collector? Open them. Let your kids play with them. Otherwise you’re just like The Man Upstairs in The Lego Movie.

How much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit? Lots.

Any rare/expensive figures in your collection? A few. It’s not why I collect plus I’m also terrible at picking what will go up in value. In fact if I ever buy a TF because I think it’s going to be rare/worth something, just hold off until it’s on clearance for $10.

What interesting Licensed Merchandise items do you have? None that I can think of. I like commissioning comic artists but haven’t gone nuts with that. I got this earlier this year as a group by a friend organised. It’s wonderful.

First Transformers toy? G1 Ultra Magnus (I think)

One toy you most want? MISB G1 Ultra Magnus. I’d love to have a pristine example of the toy that started it all for me.

Editor’s Note: Wow – you are really into Magnus eh! Remind you to show you my one from the Titanium toyline 😉

The centrepiece/favourite toy in your collection at the moment (and why)? Not a toy but that megaposter I mentioned earlier. Every time I take a moment to stare at it I notice something new.

Favourite toy in your early years of collecting? So as to give a different answer, I’ll say my G1 Galvatron. That was a cool toy.

Worst toy(s) ever in your opinion? Those things from the last year or two that only half transform. I can’t even….

Editors note: I agree! Those figures from Cyberverse that don’t transform fully are total shite!

Toy(s) that were most disappointing when you got them? The recent Earthrise Quintesson when I got it was disappointing. I mean it looks great, until you transform it into that jail thing and then it’s like, what is even going on here?

Thoughts on gimmick and non-convertable Transformers toys? Gimmicks can be successfully integrated, they can also ruin a toy. MP-44 is an example of a toy that had a gimmick successfully integrated.

Which single TFs toy should every fan own? I suppose a G1 Optimus. It’s not the first, but it is a defining toy that is still being released today.

Which Transformers toy/product would you give as a wedding present? I mean, I wouldn’t. But maybe a Chromedome/Rewind cake topper?

Do you collect other toys? Lego sets that catch my eye. I have a UCS Millennium Falcon sitting in the bottom of my wardrobe to be built when I eventually get a house with somewhere to put it. As well as some other cool sets. I still have a few classic space sets from when I was a kid.

I also collect Macross Valkyries. Although I don’t get anywhere near as many of those as they aren’t cheap. I also just realized you could probably call me a Voltron collector.

What is your favourite TF themed post on this website? What website? Does Trev have a website? I never even suspected.

Editor’s note: Double Smarmy arsehole

How did you find out about www.bigangrytrev.com ? Trev never shuts up about it.

Editor’s note: Fricken Triple-smarmy arsehole!

Many thanks to Trent for this interview (I think) . Got any more questions for Trent? Pop them in the comments section below and I’m sure he’ll happily answer them.

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Transformer Fan Interview – Steve

October 18, 2020 Big Angry Trev Leave a comment

It’s been a while but we welcome the return of the very popular Transformer Fan Interviews! In this latest interview with Aussie TF collectors we are talking to Steve, a great bloke I was privileged to meet at a Collectormania Toy Fair and who, like me, was an avid Transformers TCG player. So lets chat to this fine fellow and avid collector of all things Cybertronian.

Name and/or nicknames:

Wattsy, Sharky – do you need a background story??

Family?

Married with 2 little Sharkticons

Career?

Retired Commercial Electrician now work in the Engineering Space for Transport Infrastructure

How would you rate yourself on a C scale, C10 being MISB Mint perfection, to the lowest C1 ‘junker not worth it even for parts’?

C3.. not quite a full blown junker but working myself there with heavy wear.

How would you rate your attraction to Big Angry Trev? With one being ‘very’ to 10 being ‘I even send him Action Masters in the hope I get an extremely physical and rough thanking’?

This has to be 10 by default, right?? I mean I sent the Action Master… I’m just waiting for the Rough and Physical Thanking – but we are responsible adults mostly and under current circumstances (its 2020 people in case your reading a “retro revisited blogedy vlog blob^TM” fifty years from now) we maintain that social distancing!!!

Editors Note: I could thank you while we both wear HazMat suits maybe?

Fan/Collector since (year)?

Since it began in 84

Transformers Allegiance, if you had one?

Autobot

Your Techspec motto if you had one?

‘If it is to be it is up to me’

What existing, official Transformers character best describes you?

Ratchet – always fixing other people shit

Which special ability of any Transformers character would you want to have for yourself?

Skywarps Vorping….

What drew you to Transformers, making you become a fan/collector?

That original opening sequence when prime is rolling along and then transforms and then the 3 jets fly in and turn into robots… first time I saw it, it was soo awesome…. Still is. The concept of a vehicle and a robot in one toy Brilliant!!!

Do you think you will collect Transformers until you die?

No, I seriously think I will “retire” at the conclusion of the War for Cybertron Trilogy and Unicron when it arrives… but like any professional athlete that retires, they will still stroll out for a game or two and I am sure there will be a few bots picked up along the way

Do people outside of the hobby know you collect TFs (like at work/school)?

Yeah, they do, most think it is cool but I also don’t care, I don’t collect for them!!

Were your family/parents supportive of collecting toys or did you have to hide your passion from them and friends?

I did not hide it – not sure if it was fully supported but they never were negative to me about it.

What does your partner think of your hobby?

Ill ask her. – “He has more toys then our kids…..”

Have you attended any fan-meets, Fairs, Conventions?

Yes. Yes and yes, many moons ago when those sorts of things where considers normal.. well normal in the nerdy/geeky/popculturey way anyway.

Any creative endeavours with Transformers (drawing, writing, customising, etc)?

Nah nothing like that at all, not creative at all…

Favourite series/era/year, and why?

Always G1 cause that’s what I grew up on, but Animated was outstanding the cartoon style and the way the toys could maintain that aesthetic and still function was outstanding

Collect any comics?

Too many…..

Favourite Comic issue/story, and why?

Transformers or in general???

Transformers my favourite arcs where from the old UK Issues, City of Fear and Space Pirates in other franchises Marvels Annihilation event was brilliant and always gets a reread

Favourite Cartoon episode/story, and why?

To many to name one I think, there is always a great episode from every series, but I think call of the primitives from G1 is always a favourite or Grimmy new brain, or Starscream’s ghost if I had to pick a handful…. And can’t remember the episode names from Animated or prime…..

Favourite Character, and why?

Sludge – just because I love the big bastard of a Dinobot, Ratchet would be a close 2nd

Sexiest Transformers (robot) Character?

Sludge

Which Transformers character would you want to exist for real?

SLUDGE!

Approx TFs toy collection count (or give a range like 200s, 300s, etc):

Lots and lots and lots under the cosmic unified numbering technique system…. There was an acronym, but I’m not allowed to use it.

But over a thousand

Sealed collector or out-of-packaging collector?

Yes mostly the ones that are sealed are really, really old or I don’t have time to open them yet.

How much do you think you’ve spent on your collecting habit?

That I would love to and not ever know the answer too

Any rare/expensive figures in your collection?

Probably, but I don’t keep track of those sorts of things

What interesting Licensed Merchandise items do you have?

Nothing that is out of the ordinary, I have a chunk of Ironhide’s Tyre from Dark of the moon, Leonard Nimoy’s Autographs as Sentinel prime, and a bunch of the 1^st movie actor scribbled their name on a poster

Editors note: Nice!

First Transformers toy?

Optimus Prime

One toy you most want?

Optimus prime, still sealed in that original g1 box

The centrepiece/favourite toy in your collection at the moment (and why)?

I don’t really have a centrepiece my collection is all over the place between storage and display, but my First year G1 is always my fave!

Favourite toy in your early years of collecting?

G1 Highbrow when I got this guy he was my first “futuristic” styled transformer and I loved the headmaster concept and the figure.

Worst toy(s) ever in your opinion?

So many from Armada…..

Toy(s) that were most disappointing when you got them?

So So So Many from Armada…

Thoughts on gimmick and non-convertible Transformers toys?

Remember when a car that transformed into a robot was a gimmick…..i think gimmicks are cool they need to freshen up every now and then otherwise we just keep getting Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and Starscream over and over again……

Also Non transforming Stuff… Love it… I would love a super articulated action figure if it didn’t transform, screen accurate highly detailed Action Masters!! Also Statues I have wayyy to many but love it , Transformers are a brand and we can enjoy that brand on anything we desire, shoes, underwear, hats, non transforming action figures, bobble heads the possibilities are limitless and if you enjoy it who cares if it doesn’t transform!!!

Which single TFs toy should every fan own?

I would say it would have to be Optimus Prime, I will allow modern versions of the Autobot leader but the G1 is such a classic iconic toy that it should be apart of anyone’s collection.

Which Transformers toy/product would you give as a wedding present?

It would depend on the person getting married I would tailor the gift to the person somehow, like an action master in a custom tuxedo. on a side note my wife gave me a Movie Bumblebee with an engraving on his rear window with “Just Married” for our wedding day, sits proudly in my cabinet (only transformer my wife has ever bought me).

Do you collect other toys?

Yes amongst other things too,..would you like to know more?????

I have a heathy collection of Guardian of the Galaxy figures and POP!s, Trading Cards from Movies and Sports, other sports and movie/tv memorabilia, I like to chase autographs from actors of my favourite shows. Comic Books

What is your favourite TF themed post on this website?

There are so many good entertaining posts, I have enjoyed watching the transformatroium grow the toy reviews are good because its just a “this is how it is approach but some of the most entertaining ones would be the ones not about transformers (*GASP*) the Tales of the Trev stories or the hot sauce reviews. (pssst hey You, you out there reading this. Don’t limit yourself to just reading about transformers there is entertainment value all over the dark little corner of Trev’s blog)

Editors Note: Best response to this question EVER!

How did you find out about www.bigangrytrev.com ?

I remember in the golden age of message boards Trev Posted a thread up about his blog.. Check it Out he wrote. (sounds like a good name for a show….) so I did…

Questions from other Fans:

Stu (via Twittah)

With so many great teams in the NRL why on Earth would you be a Sharky’s fan?

Way back in that magical time called the 80’s I spent those early years living around Bankstown my Parents Supported the Bulldogs My Grandparents Supported the Bulldogs and Souths my Uncle Parramatta, but me a young and impressionable kid just loved the way this teenager at fullback of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks played the game. Andrew Ettingshausen was the reason I started following the club, I had no allegiances or commitment prior to then and I followed the club ever since!

Dallas (via Twittah)

Do you have collecting Goal? You have a Spectacular Display Space; how do you plan to collect as it fills up?

Since the Sharkticons and life the collecting has slowly reduced, I don’t really have a collecting goal I pick up things that I like, my main goal I guess would be getting the majority of my collection actually out on display not just sitting around waiting to be set up. Its just finding that elusive time to do it. I mentioned a bit earlier in that I am entertaining the idea of retirement, collecting as it fills up will probably be focused around on how or if it will it display better, and maybe going back and replacing a few existing pieces or retro-filling gaps in some of the older lines I missed over adding more and more new stuff.

What’s your favourite non g1 series?

That would be Animated, the shift in animation style and aesthetic was refreshing, the cartoon was fun and the toys able to match that styling mad them a fun series to pick up

Did Beast Wars/Machines really save transformers?

This is a tricky one, and I am going to say no it didn’t, you see the end of “g1” came about when 98.35% of the target audience grew up and was venturing into the world of Highschool and hormones so the interest petered out. But the younger siblings or newer families where coming of age, and I always feel toys follow a cycle, introduced – evolve – die off and then they a refreshed every 6-7 years years for the newer generation going through a fresh “jumping on point” so it was fresh imaginations and a resupply of young children that saved transformers, beast wars was just the gimmick of the time…. Much like how nostalgia now has parents buying care bears and MLP and MOTU and Strawberry Shortcakes for their children now.

Why hasn’t (named redacted) blocked you yet?

That’s a question you should ask him yourself…wait….you cant….

Michael (via Twittah)

I’m increasingly curious about people’s social media interactions, especially in regard to TFs – maintaining them, where they go and why?

Once upon a time I used to frequent the big American and Australian TF message boards but they became a tedious chore full of elitists nobodies which made them an unenjoyable place to go, then I joined (and in some cases left) facebook groups these suffer from a lot of the same negatives as message boards. These days I am on twitter where I can get the “news” and a part of a few small group chats of fellow collectors where we can just bounce stuff off each other, I also frequent/read a few odd blogs that people post random stuff up for entertainment, and I am pretty happy about that, I guess when it comes down to it, it is just easier to have a quick scroll through a twitter feed then to navigate the depths of message boards.

Hursticon (via Twittah)

Which do you derive more enjoyment from – toy or trading card collecting and what differences between the two worlds or fandoms keep you maintaining the two?

I wouldn’t say I get more enjoyment out of one or the other, but They are two different worlds, transformers you know what you get, chunk of plastic in a cardboard box that shifts and folds, Trading Cards, I guess is it is like gambling, hit that signature or short print card or that elusive 1of1 and it bring excitement and joy, it’s the combination of all things that I enjoy, sort through some card board or transform some figures, both are forms of relaxation, but like anything you need to find a balance, you cant get everything, and you have to accept that, and never spend beyond you means…. It would be awesome to own that Michael Jordan Rookie card or that MISB G1 Fortress Maximus but also I rather like eating and doing things with my family!!

Kenan (via Faceybook)

Biggest case of buyers remorse?

Not really one to be too remorseful about purchases but there were a lot of transformers from armada I could of really done without, but if we are talking other things it would have been maybe a case of 2018 NRL elite, where all I hit where shite cards or my youngest daughters bunk bed, that was a nightmare of thing to make every day.

Thank you so much to Steve for doing this fantastic interview! If you have any other questions for him please pop them in the comments section below and I’m sure he will do his best to answer them.

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Interview with Shitbox Rally drivers

October 31, 2019 Big Angry Trev Leave a comment

Much to my jealousy, I have a couple of mates who are involved in a wonderful and really fun event that takes place a few times a year to raise money for charity. So instead of just slinging them a few bucks as I usually do, I wanted them to give them a chance to give an account of what they do and how you all can donate too!

So without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to my oldest friend (all the way back from grade 3!) Clint:

And my coworker and good mate Laurie:

And they are going to tell you all about the Shitbox Rally.

*So it’s pretty well known that The Shitbox Rally happens to raise money for cancer. But how do you actually go about raising the funds?

Laurie: We do fundraising events throughout the year and also get sponsorships from businesses and people donate funds to us.

Clint: Well it’s been a struggle to be honest. The 2020 will be my 3rd year doing the rally, 2018 being our first year was the easiest to raise money. Friends and family that are the “donation type” gave money. And not to make light of the situation by any means – my teammate Tom’s father-in-law was going through terminal cancer and actually passed away during the fundraising. Chloe’s family and friends raised a fair amount for the cause. We ended up raising $17,485. This year was a struggle, the “donation type” friends had done their donation the year before and Paul had to put in around $1,000 each to make the targets. In the end we only raised $5,410. One thing that i had been doing for all rally’s is i sell Honey from my bee hives for $15 per k/g which is a good steady income. Penny does some photography for a local bike clubs etc for donations. A new thing been doing is pimping myself out!!! I have a Dingo (mini digger) that i do work for people in the neighbourhood for nothing – just want a $100 per hr donation that has been working well. Have found that it’s been easier to raise money from people that actually get something from their donation. The 2020 really we have been very lucky so far Tom’s work started a fundraising in 2018 that only just made it thru the system this year, so he put it toward my team as he can’t do it this year. So big thanks Tom!!

*What kind of timeframes and distances are usually involved in the rally?

Laurie: The rallies are usually over 7 days and cover a distance of 3000 to 3500 klms. The spring rally that we participated in was the 10th year of Shitbox Rallies so it was extended to ten days and covered a distance of 5150 ks.

Clint: So typically the Shitbox Rally is 500-600km per day. So over the 7 days of rally it’s around 3,800km. The 2019 rally was over 10 days (being the 10 year anniversary) and was about 5,200km. But that is not normal and will probably not happen again. Their is also the Mysterybox Rally that is smaller and starts and finishes in the same town over 5 days. I have not done one of these yet and has different rules.

*What are the rules regarding car specifications?

Laurie: Cars must cost less than $1,000 and cannot be AWD or 4wd.

Clint: The car and any repairs to make it road worthy is to cost less than $1,000. So if you buy a car for $800, then you have $200 to spend on “repairs”. But decorations etc is open and is highly promoted! It’s awesome some if the things that people come up for their cars and the costumes that come out. Some that should never been seen again!

*Apparently even though there are up to 250 participating cars all driving to the same places on the same days, you actually drive in small teams. How do these teams work?

Laurie: Teams are split into Buddy Groups consisting 6 to 7 cars who travel together for the rally. Groups leave at different time each morning, it takes about an hour for all teams to head out each morning. Groups must travel together and if one car stops or breaks down all of the Buddy Group must stop.

Clint: So every car is in a Buddy Group of 7 cars that is allocated a number from 1 to 36. This Buddy Group stays together through thick and thin. Each group has minimum of 2 “mechanical type” of people that know more than which end of a hammer to use and 1 First Aid. So if any car has to stop for any reason (flat tyre, overhearing, “code yellow”) – all cars in the Buddy Group stop until either all cars can drive off or car is loaded onto a support trailer and all gear and people from that car is put into other cars for the remainder of that day.

*Take us through an average day (if there is such a thing) on the Shitbox Rally.

Laurie: Every day is different after breakfast groups start leaving at 8-30 for the next stage, lunch is usually supplied and you eat whilst driving.

Clint: Well my normal day is – wake up early. Really early and go – lets say “loose some weight” before breakfast. The breakfast line get’s really, really long when the major crowds get to breakfast. So 250 cars, around 25 support vehicles. That’s 550 people (most hungover) that want breakfast. That’s why I “loose some weight” before breakfast as being hungover and well, you get the idea… One of the town’s that we stopped at in 2018 had 9 residence living there… so some towns have very little amenities so big lines for stinky toilets! After breakfast we collect lunch and snacks (provided) have a drivers briefing then we get let out buddy group by buddy group. It does take a while to get out in the morning – especially on dirt roads, generally the last buddy group coming into camp is the first to leave. But 250 cars, with 3-400m between each car (so your not driving in dust) that’s 75-100km of cars! During the day there is usually a town with fuel that we all have to stop at and wait in a line to fill up. Doing the rally you learn to be patient – so it’s good to have a good buddy group that get along as there is always pranks going on. On day 3 the Shitbox cars really start to show their real colours with suspension problems, flat tyres, rock damage to fuel tanks, exhausts being lost. A lot of things can be butchered on the side of the road, big problems and the car goes on a trailer and fixed at night – if it can not be fixed it’s pronounced dead and the drivers are given a medal at the drivers briefing the next morning – they then become passengers within the buddy group for the duration of the rally. After the days driving it’s filling up with fuel in the town and then head into the camp, clean the dust off your bags and set-up. Go get some dinner and maybe a beer, maybe 2…. Then it all starts again tomorrow!

*Tell us about some of the funny things that happen on the drive.

Laurie: During the rally you have dress up days on our rally they were Village people, Smurf Day and Princess Day. All teams dress up in costume for these days.

Clint: Wow, where to start. The first day of the rally is always the best day! All the cars gathered in their “best condition” and the costumes that come out. The 2018 rally started on Megan and Harry’s wedding day – so I wore a wedding dress & wig and Tom had a suit with a rangga wig. At nights in the “triage” where the broken down cars are – i’d like to say fixed but more so mended… That’s where you see some awesome bush mechanics being done. Turning a car on it’s side to work safe on the suspension. Using tennis balls to repair shock absorbers. This year most of the rally was really dry – but recently there was some rain so their was some bog holes. They had tracks around them but you didn’t have to use them – but you need to hit them with some speed. Anyway one of the cars in our buddy group got stuck. It was a dress up day (that’s a story in itself!!) so the driver wallowing around in the mud all dressed up with a bunch of others all putting their 2 cents worth in taking video and being towed out! That was some funny shit! Ok, the dress up days. During the rally they have generally 2 dress up days. This year was Village People and Smurfs. You have no idea how many men want to wear assless chaps.

Ok, now the not so funny side of the rally and the reason we do this. On on our way to Perth, driving along the freeway before the Great Australian Bite and saw another Shitbox parked in what looked like an old fuel station (no buildings left just big open area) with the driver sitting on the front of the car on the phone. I was driving and said to Paul, “lets see what’s going on” went back and she was actually on the phone to Royal Flying Doctors (RFD). Her passenger was having problems, my diagnosis was she was having a stroke (had not long ago done my first aid). I spoke with the RFD and discussed my thoughts with what i could see and used my Emergency+ application on my phone to get GPS coordinates. He advised that there was a Aboriginal town 3km down the road that also has a RFD airport. Was given the number of the head nurse and organised to meet art the clinic. So we all drive down there and went to the clinic. We still had a few days of driving to get to Perth so had to leave them their. Long story short, she was flown to Adelaide that night, had a brain scan the next day and has inoperable brain cancer. So the driver had no phone service where we were, passenger could not remember her pin for her phone due to her condition. If we had not turned around she would have probably died on the side of the road – that’s what the Rally Family does.

*Where can people go in order to support your team?

Laurie: To donate go to Shitbox Rally website, click donate select team Pole Support and donate.

Clint: Our team this year is called “It Really Hurts” as every part of cancer really hurts. We are driving from Brisbane to Alice Springs (where the rally starts) to drive back to the Gold Coast in a 2001 Suzuki Baleno. The car kind of resembles (but is nothing like) the Wayne’s World car, so that is going to the the theme and we will dress up like them daily. That’s my plan anyway!

If your followers would like to make a donation that can be done here https://autumn2020.shitboxrally.com.au/it-really-hurts

If they want to find out more about the rally – this is the 7 day version and a few cool short videos that are worth a watch. Our 2018 car made it in a few times i white Nissan with a mannequin torso on the roof and big yellow flag https://www.shitboxrally.com.au/

This is the smaller rally – the 5 day version https://www.mysteryboxrally.com.au/

Thank you to both Clint and Laurie for taking the time to answer my questions, as well as the wonderful work they do for charity. I swear one day I’ll convince one of them to take me on as a co-driver.

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Permaculture: Using Goats to clear Blackberry Patches

April 23, 2019 Big Angry Trev Leave a comment

On our farm here in NSW, like many other farms in the region, we have a problem with Blackberry Bushes.

For anyone from the city who isn’t acquainted with them, Blackberry Bushes aren’t cute little shrubs that give you some delightful fruit. No, they are a noxious weed that grows out of control. There is virtually no limit to the size they grow, and they are covered in thorns ready to ensnare human and animal alike with even the slightest contact.

We’ve got some whoppers of Blackberry Bushes on our land, some almost bigger than our house! They have been very hard to get rid of for two reasons:

A: We don’t like to use poisons on our property

B: Even if we did use poisons, most of the bushes are located in the middle of our shallow creek, meaning that any use of herbicides could result in them entering the water, causing major damage to other plants and the ecosystem in general.

So what were we to do?

Well, we kinda lucked out. Mick, who I buy nearly all my second-hand pots from in order to propagate plants for our Organic Plants & Produce business, runs a family business of his own. He and his wife Billie run Dry Creek Farm, and they specialize in bringing out herds of goats in order to decimate Blackberry Patches, leaving nothing but stems and fertilizer in their wake. After being impressed with the job they did on our farm, I couldn’t help but ask them for an interview and they kindly obliged:

What first gave you the idea to use goats to clear huge blackberry patches?

Huge Blackberry patches on our own place and a strong desire not to spray. We have done a permaculture course and heard of people using goats for weed control. We were getting a fair bit of pressure from the weed inspectors to do something about our Blackberry so we decided we’d have to give it a go.

What made you decide that using goats to clear blackberry was a viable business?

Mostly the fact that it worked so well on our place. We knew other people were also looking to an alternative to spraying. Also, we had the goats and were running out of feed for them!

How much blackberry can a mob of your goats clear in a day?

We usually say a single car garage per day but we’ve recently experimented with using larger mobs and knocking them over a bit faster. We have found that it depends on the goats and what they’re used to eating, we’ve recently bought some goats and found they weren’t as keen on blackberry as our initial mob. Nothing a bit of competition and on the job training won’t fix. (after the goats moved from your place to join with the others they have started churning through the patches like there’s no tomorrow)

How is using goats to clear blackberry more sustainable and ecologically friendly than using traditional methods?

Spraying is very detrimental in the long run, it kills soil life and does not allow the weed to add fertility to the soil. The production and transportation of agricultural chemicals is a huge contributer to greenhouse gases and creates a cycle of chemical dependence on farms. Goats help to increase fertility by turning weeds into manure which makes it easier to break down. Treating weeds in this way also allows the plant to continue filling it’s niche in the ecosystem. For example, blackberry helps prevent erosion and having the goats treat a patch still leaves the canes and the roots to fulfill this function.

I understand something rather odd (and amusing) happened when your goats were at our place. Can you describe what happened?

We’ve well and truly learnt that not everything goes to plan when working with animals. We decided to swing via your place for an unscheduled check on the goats because we happened to be in the area. Lucky we did. When we arrived we noticed there were nine feral and stinky billygoats showing an interest in our girls. One was in the paddock with our goats and another had his horns completely tangled in the mobile fencing and was being humped from behind by another of the billies! It was not his lucky day. Mike had to get amongst it and wrestle him free of the fence then we had to draft them out of the paddock and chase them away to discourage them returning. It was all a bit dramatic but didn’t cause too much drama in the end and gives us something to have a laugh about. We were quite surprised as we had the goats working on our place for twelve months with feral goats always around and we have also done other jobs and seen billies about but never had this situation!

I’d like to thank both Michael and Billie for both their time doing this interview and the wonderful job their goats did getting rid of our blackberries. You can find the website for Dry Creek Farm HERE.

Got any questions for Mick and Billie? Pop it in the comments section below and I’m sure they will be happy to answer it.

Related Articles:

*Capturing Wild Animals: Feral Goats

*Interview: Greens Member – Natalie Abboud

*Raising Goats as Pets

*Permaculture: Building a No-Dig Garden

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