How things change.

‘Old Man’ and ABC 2014

August 22

Sadly both political parties in our territory are beset by frailties. Leadership is still to be proven and many politicians who are novices have to gain experience in order for our parliament to return to what was once more viable position. The uncertainties of political leadership are not good for the territory and its people.

Henry

August 25

The government almost immediately after the election set its promised charter, held up for our awareness to one side. For weeks prior to 25 August 2012, then opposition leader Terry Mills, wrote in the News of promised priorities if elected. Immediately after the election the new government changed tack ; what we got wasn’t what we had voted for. We anticipated a Mills/ Purich led government and in no time had Giles/Tollner leading us. The one leadership pair is totally different to the other. This Governnent will be hard pressed to overcome the fact it s seen as inwardly splintered and disunited. I am naturally conservative but now feel disillusioned and badly let down.

Henry

August 20

No money for fines but plenty for grog. The last election for DCC was about overcoming the itinerant issues. The matter is getting worse and all over Darwin not simply in Stuart Park. The city public spaces are becoming overrun. I love the way various arms of government pass the buck to each other.

The problem will not go away until affirmative action is taken.

Time to truck these people back to their communities. 

Henry

August 18

The prices charged at the new Nightcliffe Foreshore Cafe will need to be sky high to recoup the lease and capital costs outlay.

Henry 

August 17

Today marks the last Qantas Regional Link flight from Darwin to Cairns via Gove (Nhulunbuy). It is the end of an era in that Qantas have been flying that route for decades. Local MLA Member Lynne Walker took an especially made and decorated cake out to the Gove Airport to mark this sad occasion. The Flying Kangaroo was iced onto the cake along with the words   “Thank you and goodbye”. While Air North will pick up the route, Qantas’ last flight marks the end on an era and is our they proof of Nhulunbuy’s diminishment.

Henry Gray

August 14

Mr Hockey unfortunately does not live in the real world. Neither do authorities who could something about fuel costs in the NT and choose to bury their heads in the sand over this horrendous issue. We are being taken to the cleaners on this issue.

Henry

July 30

Praise The Lord for the fact that old ones who are chronological enhanced , like me, are comfortable to call the Territory home. May we bless the Territory by our continuing presence.

Henry

July 28

Surely we have enough alcohol saturation as it is. So adults  would  be sipping grog with children. Is the cinema. Give it up its a bad idea and  obviously underpinned by the profit motive.   Henry

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It is a real positive at the Commonwealth Games that the para games are being held in conjunction with events for able-bodied athletes. This could well be a model for the future. Why differentiate between the two sets of athletes and games competitors as has happened for far too long.

Henry

July 28

It is a real positive at the Commonwealth Games that the para games are being held in conjunction with events for able-bodied athletes. This could well be a model for the future. Why differentiate between the two sets of athletes and games competitors as has happened for far too long.

Henry

July 14

 I suspect that community discontent over  holidays is due in part to schools being considered by some as child-minding centres rather than educating institutions. This misplaced understanding is fuelled by governments who charge educational systems and schools with taking on responsibilities  for bringing up children. These were once once vested in parents. With schools closed, the onus of responsibility for  holiday weeks falls back on parents. Child care costs far more than school attendance and this can lead to resentment.  There are of course many parents who welcome holidays as apo chance for family refreshment and organise their yearly schedules around school term time. However, it is the perceived ‘negatives’ of school holidays that are most upheld in the public eye.

Without these necessary breaks, teachers and students would be forever flagging and never refreshed. Teaching would suffer with learning becoming a drudge. It is in the interests of teachers, support staff and students that school holidays stay in place.

Henry

July 11

The ‘Blingy bracelets’ were distributed to students through schools three weeks ago today. The ACC  issued recalls today, with schools all closed. How practical is that? Maybe checks prior to issue of goods might be more practical next time.

Henry 

July 9

What also needs considering is that housing in communities is quickly made to be in need of repair. There need to be educational programs directed toward living in houses.  Care and maintenance is important.

Henry

July 8

There is no way known that everyone earns these high incomes Mr Tollner speaks about. There are many in the NT, Darwin included, who are battling. A bus driver for instance earns way less than $50,000 a year and there are many blue collar workers in the same boat . Mr Tollner is deliberately distancing himself from the realities and the austerity confronted by thousands of Territorians. No empathy in what he suggested this morning.

Henry Gray 

July 8

We can always afford alcohol, tobacco, high cost entertainment and similar expense. However the Government should not be talking down the reality of our horrendous living costs .

Henry

May 9

Good morning Katrina and Julia.

There are good things about our city and its surrounds and you are right to remind us of those. My major concern is the disconnect between our City Centre and the surrounding suburbs. It often seems like there are “two Darwin’s”, not one.

Does Council have any plans to “join” the two entities?

Henry Gray

May 8

Good morning Katrina and Julia.

There are good things about our city and its surrounds and you are right to remind us of those. My major concern is the disconnect between our City Centre and the surrounding suburbs. It often seems like there are “two Darwin’s”, not one.

Does Council have any plans to “join” the two entities?

Henry Gray

March 19

Good morning Katrina and Julia.

There are good things about our city and its surrounds and you are right to remind us of those. My major concern is the disconnect between our City Centre and the surrounding suburbs. It often seems like there are “two Darwin’s”, not one.

Does Council have any plans to “join” the two entities?

Henry Gray

February 15

Hats off to our defence people. You do a great job and one embracing every member of your families. What a blessing you are to our country and in a local context, to our community. The Defence Force Transition Aides in our schools also do wonderful work. 

All the best to all of you and may you be blessed by good Karma.

Henry 

February  11

It is not academic of ‘busting up’ public schools. It is the ability of the privates to select students that sets them apart.  Quality of teaching and calibre of teachers is what counts. As a past principal I valued good teachers. It was also exteaordinary hard to get rid of poor performing teachers.

They are system protected and guarded by the Public Sector Management Act. I know that from experience .

 Henry

February 1

Darwin is it good place and people are different and more relaxed than down south. However, those who gain “power” often change become different and really are not pleasant people they were before the assignment of that power. 

Henry

January 30

Elcho wants its community cleaned up! How about Elcho cleaning up its own  community and looking after its rubbish. Ownership and not delegation of issue.

Henry