Asked of AI

Could King Charles 3rd dissolve the Starmer Labour Government before it’s due election date?

Response:

In the United Kingdom, the monarch does have the theoretical power to dissolve Parliament and call for a general election; however, this power is largely ceremonial and exercised on the advice of the Prime Minister.

King Charles III, like his predecessors, would follow constitutional conventions and act based on the advice of the elected government:

1. Constitutional Convention: The monarch’s role is to be politically neutral and act on the advice of the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister were to request a dissolution of Parliament, the King would likely grant it.
2. Current Government: If the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, is the ruling party and has the confidence of the House of Commons, the King would not typically dissolve Parliament unless there was a significant political crisis or a failure of the government.
3. Time Frame: Generally, elections are held every five years, and unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as a no-confidence vote or a request for an early election by the Prime Minister, the current government would serve its term until the next scheduled election.

So, while technically possible, it is highly unlikely that King Charles III would dissolve the government without the Prime Minister’s request for such an action.

Come on King Charles. It is time to do a Donald Trump.

What I would like to do for the first time is to carry out a task that would be everlastingly permanent.

I would like to visit Gaza, become familiar with “the Hamas underground” – the myriad kilometres of those awful Hamas tunnels.

I would then like to bomb them or blast them into absolute oblivion.

They are close to the most detestable creation in this world, placed as they were beneath hospitals, schools, and other Civic structures.

The tens of thousands of tonnes of rubble that has been created by the terrible conflict in Gaza would more than fill the kilometres of cavities left after obliterating these tunnels.

I would do it once and do it well.

The Renewables Maestro

There is a remarkable pollie named Bowen,

Ridiculed he stands tall on his own

He’ll withstand the onslaught

T’will all come to naught,

‘Till Australia wears the renewables crown.

The Chinese Premier called the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a ‘handsome boy’. Was this a compliment?

Response:

The Chinese Premier’s remark calling Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a “handsome boy” can be interpreted as both a compliment and a diplomatic gesture. Here are some points to consider regarding the context and implications of such a statement:

1. Cultural Context: In some cultures, referring to someone as “handsome” can be a light-hearted compliment, often used to indicate a positive regard or friendliness. It may be intended to break the ice or ease tensions in diplomatic relations.
2. Political Relations: Australia and China have had a complex relationship, characterized by both cooperation and tension. Such a comment could be seen as an attempt to soften diplomatic relations and signal a willingness to engage positively, especially if the remark was made in a lighter or more jovial context.
3. Media Interpretation: The media and public reaction to the remark can vary. Some may see it as a sincere compliment, while others might interpret it as a form of condescension or attempt to disrupt formal diplomatic discourse.
4. Reactions from Leaders: How Albanese and his government respond to the comment can also reflect on the state of the relationship. If they take it humorously, it could indicate a willingness to engage in more amicable diplomacy.

In summary, while the remark can be taken as a compliment, its implications depend largely on the context of the relationship between Australia and China at that moment, as well as the attitudes of both leaders involved. Such comments often carry a mix of light-heartedness and diplomatic nuance.

It could be everlastingly treasured.

I live but not well,

My zest is dying

Effervescence is as bubbly as flat lemonade,

I live to exist – no more existing to live,

My personal motivation has set,

(I realise it set a long time ago.)

Inside my soul,

I am sour dough, a flat pancake,

The tide of hopelessness rises,

Drowning me a little more each day.

Inwardly

I feel tears of sad misery

For what was drifts further from what is,

Smooth bitumen to rough corrugations,

My physicality weakened,

My mentality becoming in a fog of blackness.

The beach is fading,

The lighthouse beacon evermore distant,

I drift ever closer

To being swallowed

By the Sea of Oblivion.

I was a school principal for several decades including the last 20 years at Leanyer Primary which was and still is one kilometre up the road from where we live.

On the last day of this particular school year, a mother rushed into the administration block with one of her sons in tow. He had apparently been arking up. She asked if I would talk with him, urging him to get good for the upcoming long holiday.

I took him aside out of earshot and said, predicating with his name

“ … be good, sin not, love the Lord and respect your mother.”

He left and I heard no more.

When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

I’ve never really thought too much about growing up. It comes to you whether you think about it or not.

When I was very young and in my 10 years I think I looked forward to growing up. But having grown up and now growing old I don’t recall ever having thought about a time that hallmarks when I had grown up.

For many years I have thought there are four phases to life.

One-getting born.

Two – growing up.

Three – becoming old.

Four – going dead.

Again, I don’t recall too much about the growing up bit when I thought I was growing up. Quite obviously I’m somewhere between three and four at the moment and ahead of me, I’m not sure how far, are the golden slip rails that hallmarked the end of life.

There are some qualities in me that have never really grown up. I like good jokes particularly if they’re not hurtful or demeaning. Humour and good fun are important.

What often happens for adults is that they lose their sense of humour and become quite stayed and predictable. I have never lost my imagination and as a school educator always put it on children to retain that sense of imagination by feeding it, but circumstances and situations, throughout the whole of their lives.

About three or four years before I retired, one of the year six students at the school of which I was principal said to me one day – and this was in front of the whole class because we were involved in the conversation I have a particular issue – “Mr Gray, you have the mind of a child in the body of a man.“

I took that as a compliment and an affirmation of the fact that I

Was still blessed with a fertile mind and imagination.

I do remember saying to the class (a different group at a different time) when we were talking about the age that when I was a child, I wished for two things.

One – I wished that I had to wear glasses.

Two – I wished that I had grey hair.

One of my students put up her hand and said when I acknowledged her, “Mr GRAY, You must be mad.“

I accept that because she probably was right; after all who wants to wish their lives away?

So upon reflection, I can’t configure to any particular point in time when I thought I was “grown up“. I sometimes referred to it as “chronological enhancement” Growing up is a phenomenon or a state that has just grown upon me and defining when I felt ‘grown up’ is just not possible.

Big houses

Small blocks

Much congestion

Little space.

Dementia is cruel, harsh and unrelenting.

It is a terribly unpredictable affliction.

I cannot speak too highly of the support offered by Dementia Australia in helping people like me come to terms with understanding its insidiousness and vagaries.

My name is Henry
It all counts for naught
Where I was born
Was in the Land of Trespass
A place
Where my parents and theirs
Had no right to impose themselves
Or the generations that follow.

I am guilty by my birth
And guilty of contributing to the birth
Of children.
And they in turn have transgressed
By having children of their own.

What right have we
Those who have gone before
Us
And those who follow
To have any purchase to title in this place?

A place where those who came later,
Wish was back in the hands
Of Aborigines
With their own footprint
Being despised
As bringing shame
Because we interposed ourselves
Into this place of traditional sacredness.

How can we redress the grievous interference
The arrival of our forebears imposed
On the unhurried peace and tranquillity
Of this place
Before the trespass
Of 1788?

The lenience being extended to all those involved with the various pro-Palestinian protests around Australia is mind-boggling.

Letting them continue as they have been is tantamount to waving the white flag of surrender.

I believe we are on the edge of a pro-Islam movement that will lead to an increase in Muslim representation in our Federal Parliament.

There has been a spate of vandalism involving the smashing of doors into major shopping centres. This time it was the turn of Hibiscus Shoppingtown to score a direct hit.

In traditional times and before the arrival of Europeans in Australia, Indigenous women were deemed to be the property of men. They were objects men could do with as they saw fit.

During my time working in remote areas of WA during the 1970s, the entitlement and possessiveness of girls and women by men was still very much a part of life. 

The worm is turning, but to this day, far too many men regard women and girls as goods and ‘possessions’ to be dealt with as they like. We have far to go in shedding and hopefully eliminating this thinking and subsequent actions from indigenous and, indeed, from all cultural mores. 

. 

SO MUCH of the support in every budget is offered to those who contribute so little to the Australian economy. And so much government largesse goes to organisations like the NDIS, childcare, Aboriginal support organisations and so on, where much of it is consumed by mismanagement and, in some cases, embezzlement, false and inflated claims and fraud. I am always amazed at two significant areas my tax statement advises of my contribution – welfare and interest on Australia’s national debt. Those who are self-sufficient and who abhor/avoid debt cannot be enamoured by these areas of ‘contribution’.

Government futures?

I predict that in times to come – and before 2050 – Australia will have a Muslim Prime Minister and that there will be suburbs and areas in which Sharia Law is enforced. That will happen because state and territory governments will be increasingly made up of those of the Muslim faith who have been voted into office. And that has a starting point based on acquiescence. 

• My wife and I are not in need of additional money.
• Our children and their spouses are pretty well setting themselves up. They are all in their fiftes and we have supported tham as and if needed from time to time.
• We have twn grandchildren and I would gift each of them $75,000 to be used toward their readying for entry into life’s world. There would be no strings attached but my advice would be to invest and bnot splurge the money.
• The remaining $250,000 would be gifted to the following charities and help organisations. Each would receive $25,000.
• Go Gentle Australia
• McGrath Foundation
• Cancer Council of Australia
• Dementia Australia
• Dementia Northern Territory
• Council of the Aging and Association of Independent Retirees – $12,500 each
• Leanyer and Karama Primary Schools – $12,500 each for student development programs
• Motor Neuron Disease Organisation
• Muscular Dystrophy Association
• The Braille and Deaf Institutes – $12,500 each.

There – that is the million dollars distributed.

Signed off by Poor Old Henry.

The mind boggles.

Pornography

Porn is demeaning to the creators and the viewers.
Porn creates situations leading to debased behaviour.
Porn stimulates acts of violence and inappropriate treatment of others.
Porn lowers the regard held for women.
Porn is a violation of the moral temple.
Porn is about lust, not about love.
Porn promotes evil thoughts and inappropriate physical and sexual habits

.

Many issues, one being that some centres and children therein have been victims of a few male employees. All hell has broken loose in a perceptual sense because of this.

WHERE TO FROM. HERE?

It’s so awful,
It’s so sad,
That men are tarnished,
And deemed bad.,

It seems not right,
No not at all,
That ‘one’s’ evil acts,
Create a pall,
Of apprehension, indeed fear,
That creates blind panic,
When men are near,
To infant children,
In their care
‘Lest their sweetness is strippled,
Replaced by despair.

And so it is,
That from today,
From childcare, all men
Should keep away.

Tongue in cheek – but it seems to be heading that way!

We are blessed by good government.,
From near and afar
People applaud and clap us,
Say how lucky we are

Albo is my hero,
I’m sure you’ll agree,
We should salute,
And to him bend knee.

I am an old man,
He may well be the last,
Australian PM.
Before I breathe my last.

The truth is that the Australian opposition in Federal Parliament is hampered by holding few seats and its internal machinations are driving remaining loyalists away

MY CAR

Old cars are good.
New cars are not.
I love my old car,
The car that I got,
Decades ago and it runs so well,
New ones cost heaps
And are like empty shells.
New fangled ideas,
Leave me stone cold,
That’s why I love,
My car oh also old.

It will be 16 next birthday

Tertiary Education

• There is a possibility but very little probability that Australian Universities regard International students other than as ‘cash cows’.
• There is a possibility and a strong probability that Jewish students will feel apprehensive – for a long time – about attending classes at a significant number of our Sandstone Universities.
• There is a possibility and an overwhelming probability that plagiarism will continue to be a major ‘pollutant’ infecting the authorship of assignments submitted for assessment and accreditation.

Project costs

• There is a possibility but almost a zero possibility that government-funded projects will be completed on time and on budget.
• There is a possibility but little probability that governments will begin to shun borrowing as a prime source of money to complete projects.
• There is a possibility and an overwhelming probability that governments at all levels will be everlastingly saddled with crippling debt emanating from reckless borrowing. Their short-term gain is already transitioning to long-term pain.

Two years ago. And as time marches on HUGE AMOUNTS OF AUSTRALIAN SYMPATHY have been poured on Gaza, Gazains, and scorn on Israel for its vow to eliminate Hamas.

Jews in Australia have been under the pump for the best part of the last two years – and that is in a supposedly peaceful and harmonious country.

That picture of oneness and multicultural unity IS NO LONGER A PART OF AUSTRALIA – ITS GONE AND WILL NEVER BE RESTORED.

Darwin’s ship lift.

It was to cost $100 million.

That has gone up in increments of $100 million and now is forecast to cost $1 billion.

It’s nowhere near finished and in fact the finish is some years away.When it is finished it will be operated by the Paspaley Company who will take the profits and any incoming to the government will be incidental.So the taxpayer pays and the profits go to a billionaire company.Some people are saying the project should be abandoned – but I doubt that that will happen.Just another one of our miss placed and hugely expensive project in the Northern Territory.

Donald Trump

Australia is about to catch a glimpse of the first super full moon of 2025.

But while the October “harvest moon” is the first, it definitely won’t be the last this year, with two more full moons classed as “super” happening in November and December.

Depending on your definition of a supermoon, there is also one happening in January next year.

BUT CLOUD SHROUD HAS BEEN THWARTING

A BRILLIANT MESSAGE

Who are your favorite artists?

During my lifetime I’ve seen a lot of paintings and appreciated a lot of artists. As a school teacher and principal working on both remote communities and urban centres in W.A. in the Northern Territory of Australia, I have come to appreciate a lot of student art and the way artistic depiction represents feelings.

We’ve travelled and seen art on display, both in two and threedimensional form.

Maybe my appreciation of art is somewhat limited. But the piece of art that has made the most indelible impression on my mind ever, is a painting titled “The First Supper“. The artist is Susan White.

This is a painting of women of the world, in which and Aboriginal Australian Lady is front and centre. Women of other ethnic groups sit to her right and her left.

This painting is significant to me because it signifies the central aspect of one of the oldest cultures in the world, that of Aboriginal Australia.

I bought a copy of the painting at the New Prophet Bookshop in Manica ACT many years ago and had it framed. I’ve kept it to this day because of its significant message and the appeal that it has to my thinking about “First People” and the importance of the role filled by women in this world.

It is there.

They were planted by our son and grandchildren who were visiting us from Perth.

And then they were left to grow. A year passed by.

To be continued

This one was part of a flower stalk this week.

Bursting into spontaneous and unrequited song in any place at any time with any lyrics and accompanying tune is what I do by habit.

It is not planned but just happens.

And that is me

And has been for the whole of my life.

POH

How blessed we are to have, among other politicans, this fine cohort of leaders within the NT Legislative Assembly. They surely are the pot of leadership gold at the end of the rainbow.

That we are indeed so lucky.

If they were to vanish

Or be lost

They are replaceable

In some part

But

The memories

Built around material artefacts

Remain embedded

Within the brain

And recall is there

Good and bad

In inanimate posture.

If the possessions are

By some circumstance

Dematerialised

The vision of what they were

And what they offered

Lives on.

Possessions may disappear

But not

From the memory.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump

This A-Z book is full of interest and opportunities for children. It covers everything from handwriting to a myriad of puzzles and questions appealing to thinking and solving problems.

It was created in large part by his office support staff at Karama.

Other politicans have copied this model and concept for use in their own electorates.

This, for mine, is a top of the pile initiative.

Truly
Donald Trump
He is a man of action.
Definitive and decisive
A doer
Not just a sayer
His utterances are words full of meaning
Trite platitudes are not in his vocabulary
As someone recently said
He speaks ‘human’.

Funny day today. Hard to nail some days. They can leave you with feelings of empty disconsolation and lack of surety.

Feels like you are trying to navigate in a straight line from one point to another in a coracle.

Definitive thinking is challenged and your brain feels as if it is swimming in molasses. Eyes get wavery and you feel totally unsure and somewhat overwhelmed with the mists of depression.

You tend to nod off into a restless doze and on awakening feel as refreshed as a limp lettuce leaf.As the day declines feelings of hopeless helplessness seem to magnify.

What of tomorrow; greater vitality or more lacklusterness and feeling metaphorically akin to the endurability and resilience of a bald tyre.

Pipe bread

Butter

Polony cut circularly.

Put together

Eat

Yum, Yum.

Man sexually interferes with young child.

Man found guilty.

Man sentenced to imprisonment.

Man says, “I am not a man because I have turned into a woman.”

Ex-man now ‘woman’ to serve time in women’s prison.

Victorian Premier deaf to protests.

Johannes Leak depicts the situation.

Australian 3 October

In Australia and the Northern Territory in this day and age, I am as a non indigenous person out of place wherever I go and wherever I am.

This discomfort has grown on me because the focus of government and the priorities of organisations is increasingly directed at First Nations people, then our plethora of arrivals from overseas – the rest of us who were in place, have been shunted into the third class category.

I have come to feel out of place in the country in which I was born.

Nothing remains as it is for long. Everything is always changing. One never knows what is going to happen in one second, minute, hour, day, week, month, year, decade, or score of time from now. Is anything permanent or is it always temporary, kaelodoscopic, shimmery and foglike? Do we yearn for a security that isn’t there? I wonder where to go from here and what from here will transpire.

Life is sweet

Unhurried

More focussed on thinking

Less fixated on outcomes and unrealistic timelines

Strengthening of handwriting skills

Greater focus on grammatical use and spelling

Promoting of conversation and real person contact.

Encouraging of proper family time, book reading, outdoor activities.

Revitalising of so many skills and attributes that disappeared with the advent of computer technology.

Government motivation

It increasingly seems to me that the Australian Government has taken to Australia with a wrecking ball.

The ‘real’ Australia

Tony Burke does not prioritise the needs of Australians who are already here. He extends gracious invitations to tens of thousands to come to Australia as a land of milk and honey, where Australians find our country far more like sour milk.

Australia’s confused Middle East policies

Australian government policy around the Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, West Bank scenario is like a messed-up jigsaw puzzle – impossible to understand and comprehend fully.

Australia is preferencing China

Within my deepest reflections on issues, I feel that Australia has already compromised itself to the point of  preferencing  China over America.

Jacinta Price an outstanding senator

I hold Senator Price in the highest regard. She is an outstanding example of Australian values and lives by the principle of ” one flag for all Australians.”  105 likes

Andrews safe from admonition

The PM will not call out Daniel Andrews, for he is a person much admired by Anthony Albanese. He is also a former politician in hallowed and revered territory because he has been made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

Vacuous statements and false utterances

There are too many vacuous statements being made by key ‘past and present’ politicians; I scratch my head in wonderment at some of the things being said, including statements that are obviously lies.

Australia is stuffed!

Australia is a ruined country. We are finished in manufacturing and key economic terms. We are beholden to foolish, visionary policies about ‘net zero’ that can never be achieved. We are focused on trivial matters and not key issues of substance. “Nero fiddled while Rome burned” comes to mind.

The game on the Pacific

Let’s face it! These Pacific countries are having a ball, playing the ‘big’ countries off against each other. Why not? They are getting plenty of support in all sorts of ways from playing the game.

Victoria – no thank you

Please don’t build a house for me in Victoria. I couldn’t contemplate living here, even for a day. Victoria is portrayed in terms of everything from taxes to protests, causing weekend city lockdowns to crime, leaving everyone vulnerable. I think of what was once ‘The Garden State’ and then ‘The Education State’ as Australia’s equivalent to being in a place akin to Outer Mongolia or Siberia. 10

Dismal power outlook

Sadly, the predictions about the power supply becoming unreliable due to equipment breakdowns are coming to pass. The government and PAWA have tried to allay our fears with reassurances that ‘all is well’. That is now proving not to be the case. Replacement of aging equipment, dodgy transformers, and regular maintenance is necessary.

Michael Murphy Deputy CEO Royal Flying Doctor

I will go against the trend of comments. I know Mr Murphy well and also know that the things that caused his departure from the NT Police are matters that could catch many people out. Mr Murphy was a good policeman, and many aspects of his leadership were fine. It is easy at times to become caught up in the nexus of professional/ personal relationships, especially in the NT, where many people know each other. In my opinion the Flying Doctor organisation have picked up a very good person, whose professionalism, competence and the fact he knows the Territory so well, will be attributes that will enhance the services offered by this critically important organisation.

CLP in government

As is the case for most of those on the CLP benches, the majority have been elected to the Assembly for the first time in 2024. They are on a steep learning curve. And they have a very definitive leader in Chief Minister Finnochario who will offer unparalleled guidance.

Busted for drugs at a ‘safe house

Congratulations to our police and apprehending authorities. If found guilty, perpetrators should be required to surrender their properties and all assets to the crown.

The Sunday Territorian’s story about Mr Hammar’s  situation and hospital experiences  ( Hospital Horror, 28 September) should be thoroughly investigated. My response is not to comment on his treatment but rather a reaction to Mrs Hammar’s  comment when she went to the ED at RDH. She is reported as saying that during their long wait,”… there were a lot of people swearing, shouting abuse and urinating in the waiting room.” 

On several occasions over the past three years, I have had to visit the ED at RDH. The care we have received has been empathetic and considerate, but the environment, both in the waiting room and in the ED itself, is far from pleasant. Swearing, abuse, and unseemly behaviour are constant. Some time ago, the hospital staff were advised by management to take care not to leave equipment that could become projectiles or handheld weapons, without attention.

The behaviour of far too many attending the ED, either by ambulance transfer or otherwise, is appalling. For whatever reason, that awful behaviour is accepted, tolerated and continues to be excused and condoned. It has also become more pronounced over time.

Why?

It’s understandable to have concerns about the potential implications of AI technology on decision-making and personal autonomy. Here are some key points to consider regarding this concern:

1. Role of AI

• Tool vs. Master: AI is designed to be a tool to assist and enhance human capabilities, not to replace or dominate them. The goal is to provide information, support decision-making, and offer recommendations based on data.
• User Agency: Ultimately, the authority and responsibility for making decisions remain with individuals. AI can suggest options but not dictate choices.

2. Limitations of AI

• Lack of Emotion and Understanding: AI lacks human emotions, values, and personal experiences. Decisions made by AI are based on data and algorithms, not on personal insights or moral considerations.
• Contextual Awareness: AI may not fully understand nuanced human circumstances or ethical dilemmas, which are crucial in decision-making.

3. Human Oversight

• Critical Thinking Required: Engaging with AI should encourage users to think critically about the information and suggestions provided. Using AI as a supplement, rather than a substitute, fosters independent thinking.
• Ethical Considerations: Discussions about AI often involve ethical considerations, leading to regulations and guidelines to ensure technology serves humanity without undermining individual autonomy.

4. Empowerment through AI

• Enhancing Decision-Making: AI can provide insights, analyze vast amounts of data, and offer new perspectives, which can empower individuals to make informed decisions.
• Learning and Growth: Interaction with AI can serve as a learning opportunity, helping individuals develop their critical thinking and analytical skills.

Conclusion

While it’s healthy to be cautious about the integration of AI into daily life, it’s essential to view AI as a supportive resource rather than a master. It’s up to individuals to maintain their ability to think critically and make autonomous decisions. Embracing AI’s capabilities while safeguarding personal agency is key to a balanced future.

I hope.

Is Anthony Albanese as wise as King Solomon of old? Can you compare their virtues of wisdom and it’s manifestations?

Response:

Comparing Anthony Albanese, the current Prime Minister of Australia, to King Solomon, a figure revered for his wisdom in biblical texts, involves analyzing their respective virtues and the manifestations of wisdom in their leadership. Here’s a comparison based on key aspects of wisdom:

1. Decision-Making

• King Solomon:
• Wisdom: Renowned for his ability to make fair and insightful decisions, Solomon famously adjudicated between two mothers claiming the same child, proposing to divide the child in half to reveal the true mother.
• Manifestation: This story illustrates his profound understanding of human nature and emotional intelligence.
• Anthony Albanese:
• Wisdom: As Prime Minister, Albanese has faced critical decisions on issues like climate change, royal commissions, and domestic policies.
• Manifestation: His approach often emphasizes consultation and consensus-building, reflecting a willingness to listen to diverse perspectives before making decisions.

2. Leadership Style

• King Solomon:
• Wisdom: Solomon’s reign is depicted as a time of peace and prosperity, suggesting his wisdom extended to governance and maintaining harmony.
• Manifestation: He established a reputation as a just ruler, attracting leaders and visitors from around the world seeking his counsel.
• Anthony Albanese:
• Wisdom: As a political leader, Albanese promotes values of inclusivity and cooperation, aiming to unite his party and represent diverse Australian communities.
• Manifestation: His leadership style is characterized by collaboration, evident in his handling of multifaceted issues including Indigenous rights and economic recovery.

3. Understanding and Empathy

• King Solomon:
• Wisdom: His wisdom encompassed not only intelligence but also deep understanding and compassion for others. He was known to seek peace and understanding.
• Manifestation: Solomon’s proverbs, many of which are compassionate and insightful, showcase his empathetic approach to life’s complexities.
• Anthony Albanese:
• Wisdom: Albanese demonstrates empathy by addressing social issues such as poverty, healthcare, and education, advocating for policies that support the marginalized.
• Manifestation: His public speeches often emphasize the need for unity and understanding across socio-economic divides.

4. Legacy and Impact

• King Solomon:
• Wisdom: Solomon is remembered for building the First Temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing his legacy in faith, culture, and law.
• Manifestation: His writings, particularly in the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, continue to influence moral thought and wisdom literature.
• Anthony Albanese:
• Wisdom: While still in his tenure, Albanese’s legacy is yet to be fully defined. His actions on climate policy, democratic integrity, and social justice will contribute to his historical impact.
• Manifestation: Future evaluations of his leadership will assess his long-term impact on Australian society and governance.

Conclusion

While King Solomon’s wisdom is often viewed through a historical and mythical lens, embodying timeless qualities of judiciousness, fairness, and understanding, Anthony Albanese’s wisdom manifests in contemporary political contexts through his decisions, leadership style, and empathy towards citizens. Both figures highlight different dimensions of wisdom, shaped by their respective times and challenges.

There is some deep analysis here. Thank you.

What are the odds of Anthony Albanese presently Australia’s Prime Minister, becoming the first President of an Australian Republic when it is created?

Response:

The odds of Anthony Albanese becoming the first President of an Australian Republic when it is created are influenced by various factors:

Factors to Consider

1. Public Support for Republicanism:

• The general sentiment among Australians toward establishing a republic. Recent polls and sentiment analysis can give insight into public opinion on this issue.

1. Labor Party Position:

• Albanese’s own party (the Australian Labor Party) has historically supported republicanism, but how strongly that support is expressed and whether it aligns with general party policy will be crucial.

1. Timing and Political Landscape:

• The timing of a referendum to create a republic would play a significant role. Changes in political leadership, public opinion, or other political parties’ stances can affect the likelihood and timing of such a movement.

1. Albanese’s Leadership and Credibility:

• Albanese’s ability to maintain popularity and credibility as Prime Minister will impact his potential candidacy if the republic goes ahead. His leadership style, decisions, and public reception will be critical.

1. Constitutional Provisions:

• The specifics of how a president would be elected or appointed in a new republic. Would it be through direct public vote, parliamentary selection, or another method? This process would affect Albanese’s chances.

Conclusion

Considering these factors, while it’s difficult to provide exact “odds,” Anthony Albanese’s potential to become the first President of an Australian Republic hinges on the progress towards republicanism, his continued political standing, and the context of future elections.

Predictions

In summary, if Australia moves decisively towards establishing a republic within Albanese’s tenure, he could be a front-runner, especially if he maintains public support and leads the charge for constitutional change. However, predicting exact odds remains speculative given the complexities of both public opinion and political dynamics.

Thank you

I

Would love

To be able

To play the guitar

And sing as I played

Country and western songs from history.

And

Also sing

As I strummed

Folk songs from the

60’s and 70’s and 80’s

Before

Modern music

With its awfulness

Poked its shrieking interference

Into a world of discordant

Manifestation

That has

Shattered the joy

Playing and unison singing

Once generated for us all.

For what has happened.

For your part in that happening.

I pledge never to listen to your music, watch any film you have been in or have anything to do with any of your contributions or sponsorships – ever again.

You have upset me to the point of devastation.

Why do some people like being in debt and owing money?

Response –

People may have various reasons for being in debt or feeling comfortable with owing money. Here are some possible explanations:

1. Psychological Factors: Some individuals may experience a thrill or excitement from spending money they don’t have, akin to gambling. This can create a temporary sense of satisfaction or gratification.
2. Credit and Status: For some, being in debt can be perceived as a status symbol. Owning expensive items or living a certain lifestyle often requires taking on debt, which may indicate financial capability to others.
3. Delayed Gratification: Some people prefer to enjoy their purchases now and pay for them later. This mindset can lead to accumulating debt while prioritizing immediate satisfaction over long-term financial health.
4. Financial Flexibility: For some, debt can provide a means to leverage their finances. For example, using a credit card to manage cash flow or investing in opportunities like education or business ventures can be seen as beneficial.
5. Cultural Norms: In certain cultures, debt may be normalized or even encouraged, especially regarding education and home ownership. This social acceptance can influence individuals to embrace debt as a part of life.
6. Lack of Financial Literacy: Some people might not fully understand the implications of debt and thus accumulate it without realizing the potential long-term consequences on their financial health.
7. Emergency Situations: Unexpected expenses, like medical bills or car repairs, can lead to debt accumulation. People might feel it necessary to owe money to address immediate concerns without having the funds available.
8. Availability of Credit: The ease of access to credit cards and loans can encourage spending beyond one’s means, leading to a cycle of debt that some may find hard to break.

Understanding these factors can highlight the complex relationship people have with debt and money management.

I would prefer to be debt-free.

Source: The Australian

It is a sad thing that the open, welcoming environments- once a feature of school precinct’s – have been a consigned to history because of safety and security concerns.

Schools started with outer perimeters marked at most by knee or waist-high fencing often no more than a railing stretched between vertical uprights. Now for most schools, fencing has been upgraded to become a gtwo-metre-high solid and impenetrable barrier.

A sad thing for schools is the need for this fortress-like mentality. Students and staff members shouldn’t be confronted with teaching and learning environments surrounded by high fences. They should not have to go through gates that open in the morning, are locked at night and require pass keys at other times.

It saddens me to drive past my old schools and indeed all others, enclosed because of necessity by forbidding perimeter fencing

Published aas a letter tpo the editor in NT News

When we first came to Darwin in 1987, Leanyer Drive was so quiet and unused, that children used to play football and cricket on the road.

No more.

The big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh.
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh
On the last day of September
Ally ally oh! Ally oh! 
On the last day of September

The captain said it will never, never do,
Never, never do, never, never do.
The captain said it will never, never do
On the last day of September
Ally ally oh! Ally oh! 
On the last day of September

The big ship sank to the bottom of the sea,
The bottom of the sea, the bottom of the sea.
The big ship sank to the bottom of the sea,
On the last day of September
Ally ally oh! Ally oh! 
On the last day of September

We all dip our heads in the deep blue sea,
The deep blue sea, the deep blue sea.
We all dip our heads in the deep blue sea,
On the last day of September
Ally ally oh! Ally oh! 
On the last day of September

From online

Split,

Split, split,

Split, split, split

Torn apart

Two great people

Going their separate ways

But both to live in the same city

With children of their union

Left to play shuttlecock

Between the two homes

Sharing the separation.

Of their parents.

This is for me,

The most awful of news.

Where to from here

To that question

There is no answer.

Easy answered.

Born in 1946 – there was no TV to watch.

But radio was good back in those past times.

I like TV

But radio is my favourite.

Even now – when I am old,

Burnout, breakdown, mental collapse, suicide -all elements that can and do confront leaders.

September 29 2025

This great man died in the line of duty many years ago. He is remembered to this day.

The three jobs about which I am curious

1. Being one of the pair of workers who, in our home town of Moora WA, who had the job of collecting full sanitary pans from toilets, replacing them with empty pans and emptying the full pans into an out-of-town deep hole. They worked Monday to Friday and wore thick leather aprons and water boots as protective clothing.
2. Being a person employed for a minimal wage to identify and remove noxious weeds and thistles grieing amonst the acres of wheat that have been planted on a farming property.
3. A person employed to clean out accumulated droppings from all the fowlhouses in the district, bagging the volume of waste and taking it to my boss who sells it to gardeners and green thumbs in the marketplace.

Living

Being a good person

Supporting others.

Trying to be happy

Doug my share of chores

Watering the garden and cleaning the house.

Saying thank you to others for all they do.

Putting brickbats in the bin.

Remembering the past and wondering what the future holds.

Comments on local government in the Northern Territory.

Did you know the Northern Territory’s local councils are like a quirky family reunion, vast, sparse, and full of surprises?
Take Barkly Region: sprawling over 322,713 km² (bigger than the UK!), yet home to just 7,239 folks.
Then there’s Belyuen Shire, the pint-sized underdog with 165 residents crammed into 41 km².
Palmerston City? Tiny at 53 km² but buzzing with 40,447 people, proving you have to like your neighbours.
Darwin City leads the pack with 85,158 souls in 111 km², while remote gems like Central Desert (281,312 km², 4,114 peeps) remind us: space is the ultimate luxury.
With 17 councils covering 98% of NT’s 1.35 million km² for ~260,000 Territorians (density: 0.19/km²), efficiency isn’t optional it’s magic

Donald Trump.

WHERE TO?

Go where?

Nowhere. I would give them away.

On political issues and conundrums 

• There is a possibility and a very strong probability that Toto the Bow Wow will attend his master’s wedding when it is celebrated.

• There is a possibility and a strong probability that the Catholic Archbishop of Australia will officiate at the wedding.

• There is a possibility and a slim probability that politicians will be overcome with the heartfelt gratitude of their constituents.

• There is a possibility but only a tenuous probability that Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump will declare thenselves as ‘brothers in arms’ at the White House meeting.
• There is a possibility and a 99% probability that around 2030, Australia will be declared as ‘a Banana Republic’.
• There is a possibility and a fair probability that Australia will. continue to be so ‘woke’ it will never sleep.

Footage for these segments from Channel 7 TV coverage of the Grand Final.

Wikipedia reveals the depth and breadth of political talent and leadership understanding possessed by both Benjamin Netanyahu and Anthony Albanese.

Old cars are good.
New cars are not.
I love my old car,
The car that I got,
Decades ago and it runs so well,
New ones cost heaps
And are like empty shells.
New fangled ideas,
Leave me stone cold,
That’s why I love,
My car oh so old.

Donald Trump.

As this story from Sky Shows, Victoria is away and away the crime state of Australia.

Donald Trump, who is the person assigned the TR and of setting tarrifs on all things medical.

There has been a significant change in the setting of funding priorities for schools during the past ten years.

Prior to the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2008, it was extraordinarily difficult to attract money for school capital works programs. Principals and school councils were often frustrated by the delays in gaining initial approval. Generally works were included in treasury’s forward estimates.

In some cases, approved works remained in abeyance for so long, they were re-announced as new initiatives before gaining final funding approval.

Minor New Works programs for infrastructure projects up to $250,000 were similarly queued for lengthy periods of time.

The GFC consigned this scenario to history. In order to stimulate building and construction, the Federal Government created the Building Education Revolution (BER).

Many billions of dollars were released to state and territory educational systems. ‘Build, build build, like there is no tomorrow’ became the order of the day. Along with all educational authorities, the NT Education Department was overwhelmed with BER money.Funds were allocated for major construction in every Northern Territory school.

A BER downside was the prescription placed on the use of money. Buildings had to be for science laboratories, school libraries, classrooms, assembly halls and physical facilities. When particular schools had higher priorities they were discounted. Timelines attached to the program required projects to be completed and funds expended by specific dates. This meant that building and construction programs had to be undertaken during term time disrupting school programs, in some cases for weeks on end.

Although the BER is now history, there has been a significant shift in funding priorities for NT schools. Compared with pre BER days, it seems that limitations on capital and minor new works funding have been relaxed.

Government tenders in the NT News each Wednesday confirms that money is being allocated for playground equipment, shade structures, irrigation upgrades and other works that were rarely funded in past times.

Previously, it had been up to school communities to fundraise for these ventures.

It is a worry that major funding for schools seems to be based on the fact that projects must support the building, construction, and infrastructure industry. There is a need for funding to recognise and support teaching and learning programs in classrooms. The ‘heart’ of the school is the teaching/learning interface. Buildings and facilities are necessary but should not be prioritised to the detriment of core learning needs.

Funding balance is important. While facilities are necessary, the support of students through classroom programs must not be compromised

Playing in the outdoors was something members of older generations took for granted when they were children. In more recent years there has been a foreclosure on what was once unregulated freedom. Safety and security issues have raised concerns about the wisdom of young people being allowed ‘old fashioned’ freedoms of play.

The upshot, is that many young people prefer to sit and play games on screens, rather than being in the outdoors letting off steam in a running, playing manner. There are hundreds of pieces of research that have been done, all pointing toward the fact that a lack of physical action and activity is depriving children of an energy outlet in play.

It is true that many children are now playing less than used to be the case. There are of course, a growing number of play centres in cities that attract young people, but they are often at distance from where people live. It also costs a lot to patronise these centres, meaning they are beyond the means of many families.

From time to time, walking or bike riding to school are promoted as one off family days. Children walk or ride with parents or others to school. Normally the majority are dropped off and picked up by parents and carers. Even on these special walk and ride days, most children (and many bikes) are collected after school.

School and public playgrounds used to be fun places for children. However, they have been impacted by occupational health and safety (OH&S) requirements that have taken many of the fun elements out of playgrounds. Roller slides used to be powerful drawcards for children but after an accident or two, OH&S decreed that rollers had to go and be replaced by a flat plastic or metal sheet down which children slid. Fun evaporated. ‘Stranger Danger’ awareness and the possibility of needle stick injuries have also discouraged parents from allowing children access to public playgrounds without supervision.

More and more families are living in high rise apartments. Limited playing space naturally encourages sedentary activity.

For whatever reason, physical activity and letting off steam in play situations seems to be diminishing. This is an unfortunate trend and not one helpful to the development of young people. It makes play opportunities at school all the more important.

A recent Australia-wide study undertaken by Professor Phillip Riley for the Australian Catholic University confirmed an alarming trend towards violence directed at school leaders. “School leaders are almost ten times more likely to be physically assaulted at work than the general population, with women employed at government primary schools the most at risk. … 45 per cent of principals experienced threats of violence during 2018 while 37 per cent were subjected to acts of physical violence.” ( Students, parents attacking teachers, Rebecca Urban, ‘The Australia’, 27/2/2019)

This survey on principal safety and wellbeing has been undertaken annually since 2011. Evidence confirms bullying, threatening and assaulting behaviour as an escalating issue.

Our local school leaders are not exempt from this dire situation. “ … half the Northern Territory’s school principals have been physically attacked at work according to the survey.” (Wave of abuse at principals, Natasha Emeck NT News 27/2/2019). This is appalling! The matter needs to be firmly addressed and not accepted as being normal, tolerated behaviour.

The NT Government and Department of Education uphold the safety of school staff as being a matter of utmost importance. If this position is to have meaning, there needs to be more than acquiescing to the abuse trending towards school leaders. The issue should also be one of the highest priorities on the NT Principals Association agenda.

Principals (and indeed all staff) have a right to feel protected and should not be discouraged from reporting and following through on matters of assault.

Anecdote suggests that over time, the impact of quite serious assaults on school leaders have been downplayed and almost swept under the carpet. Principals should not be made to feel embarrassed about responding proactively to verbal or physical assault. Indeed, response should be encouraged and have the absolute backing of educational authorities and professional associations. The Education Department’s legal arm should be to the fore in supporting principals and prosecuting assailants through the courts.

It is not good enough for principals to be given an annual allowance to fund programs helping them cope with the stress of assault. That is tantamount to accomodating actions which should never occur.

Firm action against abusive students and adults will provide a clear and visible message that school leaders (and teachers) are not prepared to absorb this behaviour. That action has to be paramount. Assault against principals must not be tolerated. The trend must be countered openly, visibly and with full backing by Government, the Education Department and the Principals Association.

It is a sad thing that open environments, once a feature of child care and school precincts are being consigned to history. Fenceless, physically borderless boundaries have all but gone.

Schools started off  with outer perimeters marked by knee or waist high fencing that was no more than railing stretched between vertical uprights. However, more and more have fences being upgraded to two metre plus high, impenetrable barriers. All are aimed at protecting schools from damage and vandalism.

A sad thing for schools is the need for this fortress like mentality. Students and staff members shouldn’t be confronted with teaching and learning environments surrounded by two metre high fences. They should not have to go through gates that open in the morning, are locked at night and require pass keys at other times. They should not have to walk around school precincts under the survelliance of CCTV cameras or sit in classrooms where security systems are turned on after hours in order to afford protection. They shouldn’t have to enter and exit classrooms through doors with double locking and deadbolt systems in place to secure against unlawful entry. Neither should they be made to feel like prisoners, looking out from classrooms through windows reinforced with security mesh.

Teachers and students leaving schools at the end of each day, wonder whether violation occasioned by unlawful entry will occur overnight, at weekends or during holiday times. Will walls be graffitied, windows smashed, doors forced, rooms trashed and property stolen? Worrying about the susceptibility of workplaces to violation is always on the back-burner of thinking.

Ironies

An irony is the apparent reluctance  of some school leaders to follow through on issues of wanton damage to premises and property. That may have to do with school leadership groups somehow feeling a misplaced ‘shame or blame’ for these happenings. The fact that schools are broken into is not their fault.

The issue needs to be aired in the public domain. Offenders should  to be dealt with in other than a trivial fashion. They are fully aware of what they are doing and deserve to face realistic consequences.

Students and staff who are the victims of property crime need to know that offenders will be dealt with appropriately, not handled with kid gloves and let off lightly. 

Schools used to be happy and open places of learning, not enclosed fortresses separated from their communities by security devices. Sadly, that era has been consigned to history and may  never be restored.

POH reflection

Donald Trump on October 20.

Donald Trump’s daily prognostications.

Donald Trump.

It seems to show solidity

But I worry ‘ bout this tree

It is so tall in wind doth sway

It may just collapse on our driveway

Crunch a car smash walls and roof

I can offer you this proof

That years ago a tree that tall

From next door collapsed on roof and wall.

That time they said it was secure

Laughed at me when I did demure

Within two weeks it split asunder

Creamed our house with shake and thunder

Filled our yard and clothesline smashed

Took days and days to clear and clean

So I ask that you cut it down

Before it tumbles on its own.

Frank

A man

Owns a house

Has a red car

And a three legged dog

A man who inspires his peers

Leads in the workplace by fine example

No task too trivial nothing left to chance

Pride in workmanship is this hero man’ great trait

We cannot go past emulating someone who is so dedicated.

On a pedestal we place you oh Great One.

Forever hero the one to whom we look

When unsure of how or where

To go and look for

The best way forward

The right path

All hail

Frank.

Recognising Palestine.

Net Zero ambitions.

Craving for COPE 26 in Australia.

Being tough on crime.

Far left of Australian politics pledges and ambitions.

Source: The Australian

Source: The Australian

Grand Final next Saturday. A thrilling game (Geelong v Brisbane) on offer.

What a game

32 Years Ago

And has it not cone, is it not coming to pass?

Government motivation

It increasingly seems to me that the Australian Government has taken to Australia with a wrecking ball.

The ‘real’ Australia

Tony Burke does not prioritise the needs of Australians who are already here. He extends gracious invitations to tens of thousands to come to Australia as a land of milk and honey, where Australians find our country far more like sour milk.

Australia’s confused Middle East policies

Australian government policy around the Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, West Bank scenario is like a messed-up jigsaw puzzle – impossible to understand and comprehend fully.

Australia is preferencing China

Within my deepest reflections on issues, I feel that Australia has already compromised itself to the point of  preferencing  China over America.

Jacinta Price an outstanding senator

I hold Senator Price in the highest regard. She is an outstanding example of Australian values and lives by the principle of ” one flag for all Australians.”  105 likes

Andrews safe from admonition

The PM will not call out Daniel Andrews, for he is a person much admired by Anthony Albanese. He is also a former politician in hallowed and revered territory because he has been made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

Vacuous statements and false utterances

There are too many vacuous statements being made by key ‘past and present’ politicians; I scratch my head in wonderment at some of the things being said, including statements that are obviously lies.

Australia is stuffed!

Australia is a ruined country. We are finished in manufacturing and key economic terms. We are beholden to foolish, visionary policies about ‘net zero’ that can never be achieved. We are focused on trivial matters and not key issues of substance. “Nero fiddled while Rome burned” comes to mind.

The game on the Pacific

Let’s face it! These Pacific countries are having a ball, playing the ‘big’ countries off against each other. Why not? They are getting plenty of support in all sorts of ways from playing the game.

Victoria – no thank you

Please don’t build a house for me in Victoria. I couldn’t contemplate living here, even for a day. Victoria is portrayed in terms of everything from taxes to protests, causing weekend city lockdowns to crime, leaving everyone vulnerable. I think of what was once ‘The Garden State’ and then ‘The Education State’ as Australia’s equivalent to being in a place akin to Outer Mongolia or Siberia. 10

When washed they were hung out to dry. These became the next clothes the children wore.

WOWEE!

Gout, Gout is my hero,
Each and every day,
His athletic prowess,
Blows the mind of Henry Gray,

His speed is the equal,
Of Mercury on wings,
He shatters every record,
When running fairly sings,

Across the shrinking distance,
From start to finish line,
He zooms, not runs …
He’s a human Superman.

The Epitaph

Hawthorn you fought hard,
Hawthorn you tried,
You are a good team so hold your heads up high,
For even the greatest sometimes must fall,
Hawthorn the Brave Team you gave your all.

Defeat brings your silence but the Hawks did speak loud
If Jeff Kennett* was asked, you know he’d be proud.

With appreciation to Johnny Horton

• Victorian Premier for many years in past times and former Hawthorn Past President

Donald Trump.

An intriguing element about language is the disconnect between its theory and practice. The theory of language can be reasonably straightforward and understandable as it is studied on paper : Language in practice and in day-to-day terms of usage can be a lot more tricky. In Australian contexts, there are idiomatic factors of expression, the way words are emphasised, nuances, hidden messages, the use of colloquialisms (expressions) and so on. As well there is pitch, rhythm, tone, intonation and volume.
________________________________

Of particular importance when communicating is to look at people with whom we are talking. Eye contact is an indicator of confidence. To speak with eyes averted and not to look at people to whom we are talking is taken to indicate alack of confidence, to be unsure of what we are saying or similar. It is a negative indicator. Similarly, if talking with a group, it is important to include everyone within the ‘eye contact’ circle.

Ask AI

What damage has been done to Gaza City infrastructure, what is the volume and weight of rubble, where will the rubble be dumped, how long will it take to clean up and will the city be rebuilt.

Response:

The situation in Gaza City has been dire due to ongoing conflicts, leading to significant damage to its infrastructure. Here are some points related to your queries:

Damage to Infrastructure

• Extent of Damage: Much of the infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and roads, has been heavily impacted or destroyed. Sources often report widespread destruction, with estimates suggesting thousands of buildings have been rendered uninhabitable.

Volume and Weight of Rubble

• Rubble Estimates: While exact figures can vary, estimates indicate millions of tons of rubble resulting from the destruction. Accurate assessments would require thorough surveys by engineers and local authorities to measure and quantify the debris created.

Disposal of Rubble

• Rubble Disposal: The disposal of rubble typically involves either clearing it to designated dumping sites or recycling materials for future construction. Local authorities often work with humanitarian organizations to manage this process.

Cleanup Duration

• Cleanup Timeline: The timeline for cleanup can vary significantly based on the scale of destruction, availability of resources, and political factors. Initial cleanup efforts may take several months, but full recovery and restoration could span years or even decades.

Rebuilding the City

• Rebuilding Prospects: Rebuilding efforts are dependent on resources, political stability, and international aid. While there is often hope and plans for reconstruction, the actual rebuilding process faces challenges including funding, security issues, and logistics.

Conclusion

Overall, the situation is complex and requires coordinated efforts from local authorities, international organizations, and governments to effectively address the humanitarian and structural challenges faced by Gaza City. Further evaluations by humanitarian and engineering experts are essential for precise figures and future planning.

Real Estate bonanza?

In your dreams.

Pic: ABC 7.30 Report 18 August ‘25

An AI GENERATED POLITICAN in a European Parliament.

And with portfolio responsibilities.

Where to from here?!!!

Are the following defined medical conditions

Response:

The terms you’ve listed generally do not correspond to recognized medical conditions in clinical terminology. However, I can provide some insights:

1. Blocked Pipe – This could refer to a blockage in the digestive system or urinary tract informally but is not a formal medical term.
2. Rumble Gut – This typically refers to gastrointestinal gas or noise but is not classified as a medical condition.
3. Hoppy Leg – This is not a recognized medical term; it might suggest an issue with mobility but lacks formal definition.
4. Roaring Crust – This term does not have a known medical definition and might be colloquial.
5. Hot Head – Informally, it could refer to someone with anger issues or possibly an elevated body temperature, but it’s not a medical diagnosis.
6. Blotched (skin) – This could relate to various skin conditions that cause discoloration, but “blotched” alone is not specific enough.
7. Plugged Lug – Could refer to a blockage in the ear (earwax) but is not a standard term.
8. Peg Leg – Often a colloquial way to refer to a prosthetic limb or leg amputation; not a medical term in itself.
9. Wee Block – This could refer to a small blockage, possibly in urinary function but is not a formal medical term.
10. Iced Body – This isn’t recognized; it might refer to hypothermia or extreme cold exposure but lacks clinical terminology.
11. Body Boil – Could refer to boils (skin infections), but isn’t a recognized medical condition.
12. Skin Scale – This could relate to conditions like psoriasis or eczema but isn’t a direct medical term on its own.
13. Chest Burst – This could informally describe a sudden and intense pain in the chest but isn’t a formal condition.

If you need information on specific conditions or explanations about symptoms, feel free to ask!

Clarification is important.

Source: ABC TV News

Source: Outback Truckers

Source: “Outback Truckers

Poor Old Henry.

Donald Trump’s.

Donald Trump.

Are the following defined medical conditions

Response:

The terms you’ve listed generally do not correspond to recognized medical conditions in clinical terminology. However, I can provide some insights:

1. Blocked Pipe – This could refer to a blockage in the digestive system or urinary tract informally but is not a formal medical term.
2. Rumble Gut – This typically refers to gastrointestinal gas or noise but is not classified as a medical condition.
3. Hoppy Leg – This is not a recognized medical term; it might suggest an issue with mobility but lacks formal definition.
4. Roaring Crust – This term does not have a known medical definition and might be colloquial.
5. Hot Head – Informally, it could refer to someone with anger issues or possibly an elevated body temperature, but it’s not a medical diagnosis.
6. Blotched (skin) – This could relate to various skin conditions that cause discoloration, but “blotched” alone is not specific enough.
7. Plugged Lug – Could refer to a blockage in the ear (earwax) but is not a standard term.
8. Peg Leg – Often a colloquial way to refer to a prosthetic limb or leg amputation; not a medical term in itself.
9. Wee Block – This could refer to a small blockage, possibly in urinary function but is not a formal medical term.
10. Iced Body – This isn’t recognized; it might refer to hypothermia or extreme cold exposure but lacks clinical terminology.
11. Body Boil – Could refer to boils (skin infections), but isn’t a recognized medical condition.
12. Skin Scale – This could relate to conditions like psoriasis or eczema but isn’t a direct medical term on its own.
13. Chest Burst – This could informally describe a sudden and intense pain in the chest but isn’t a formal condition.

If you need information on specific conditions or explanations about symptoms, feel free to ask!

Thank you AI

It will never happen.

Not for Australia.

We sell gas and coal like there is no tomorrow,

But deny domestic use.

Victoria buys in gas,

But won’t touch its own underground ocean of the precious commodity.

What a sad state of affairs,

We are nobbling our future and lowing our politicians sell us down the gurgler.

What are the benefits and shortfalls of singing?

Response:

Singing has a variety of benefits and some potential shortfalls. Here’s a breakdown:

Benefits of Singing

1. Emotional Expression:

• Singing allows individuals to express emotions and connect with their feelings, which can be therapeutic.

1. Stress Relief:

• Engaging in singing can reduce stress levels by promoting relaxation and boosting mood.

1. Physical Health:

• It can improve lung capacity and breathing control, enhance posture, and promote cardiovascular health.

1. Cognitive Benefits:

• Singing can improve memory and cognitive functions, particularly in learning languages and memorization.

1. Social Connection:

• Singing in groups, such as choirs or bands, fosters social interaction and community bonding.

1. Confidence Boost:

• Performing in front of audiences increases self-esteem and confidence.

1. Cultural Expression:

• It plays a significant role in cultural heritage and practices, enriching personal and communal identity.

Shortfalls of Singing

1. Vocal Strain:

• Incorrect technique or overuse can lead to vocal strain or injury.

1. Performance Anxiety:

• Many individuals experience anxiety when singing in front of others, which can deter them from participating.

1. Time Commitment:

• Regular practice or participation in groups can be time-consuming.

1. Accessibility:

• Not everyone may feel they have the talent or ability to sing, which can create feelings of inadequacy.

1. Cultural Barriers:

• Some cultures may have stigmas or differing perceptions of singing, impacting participation.

1. Health Limitations:

• Certain medical conditions, such as respiratory issues, may affect one’s ability to sing.

In summary, while singing offers numerous emotional, physical, and social benefits, it does come with some challenges that may affect individuals differently.

Thank you AI.

Donald Trump.

Pictures – courtsty the ABC TV News are of Nauru.

What are the most common names for girls and boys in these modern times.

Response:

Here are some of the most common names for girls and boys in 2023:

Most Common Girl Names

1. Olivia
2. Emma
3. Amelia
4. Charlotte
5. Mia
6. Isla
7. Grace
8. Harper
9. Sophie
10. Lily

Most Common Boy Names

1. Oliver
2. Liam
3. Noah
4. Henry
5. Leo
6. Theodore
7. Jack
8. Lucas
9. Luca
10. James

For more detailed lists and statistics, you can visit the following resources:

• Baby Center
• Huggies
• SSA

You can check these links for comprehensive insights into baby names trends!

Thank you AI

This is so bad. Should the coalition be disbanded and put into receivership.

Pro and anti-Australia. Pro and Anti on Palestine and Israel. This is for the ONE HUNDREDTH WEEKEND IN A ROW.

Pics on TV news

ANZ Bank Australia has been fined $240 million by ATSIC for banking iregularities. Where will that money go and who gets corporate fines like this?

Response:

ANZ Bank has recently been fined $240 million by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) for various banking irregularities, including “unconscionable conduct” in bond trading and other misconduct. Here’s how the money from corporate fines typically flows:

Allocation of Corporate Fines

1. Government Revenue: Corporate fines usually go to the government’s revenue. In Australia, these penalties are often paid into the general revenue of the federal or state government, which can be used for public services or other governmental needs.
2. Consumer Compensation: Sometimes, part of the fine may be designated for consumer compensation or restitution. In cases where customers have been harmed, there might be funds allocated specifically for compensating those individuals.
3. Regulatory Bodies: A portion of fines may also fund the regulatory bodies involved in enforcing compliance and consumer protection, helping them to carry out their duties more effectively.

Who Gets the Fines?

• Government Departments: The collected fines typically enrich the treasury.
• Public Services: Fines can support various public services or programs that the government deems necessary.

For more detailed information regarding this specific case, you can refer to the following sources:

• ASIC – ANZ admits widespread misconduct
• ABC News – ANZ faces record $240m penalty
• The Guardian – ANZ Bank pays record fine

I wonder whether the disbursement by government is programmed – or is the scattergun method the preferred allocation policy?

Source: The Australian

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

He would iron out the bumps, reform the surface and reinstate a smooth, safe drive for truckers and motorists.

Donald Trump.

21 to 30

The future of Albanese as Prime Minister

PM Albanese is starting to cook his goose regarding his continuance as Prime Minister. Suffice it to say, and in the not-too-distant future, he will be forced to relinquish the Prime Ministership to one or another of his front benchers.  However, talent is somewhat limited by the strangulation of leftist policies.

Road use tax

In our part of the world, the state of roads is a testament to the fact that much more money is needed, not to extend roads but to maintain and upgrade what we have correctly. Increasingly, Darwin, Palmerston, and rural areas have roads nearby. Bumps and pothole patches are so numerous that they are like the pattern of endless patches Lena stitched onto Yarcob’s britches.

We are blessed to have many thoughtful and vibrant people standing for the local government election. However, voters will be hard-pressed because candidates of equal calibre will miss out no matter who they vote for.

A medal of valour for our PM

There is a possibility and a very high level of probability that the Palestinian leader will present our Prime Minister with a Medal of Valour for his declared position on Palestine’s future. He may be invited to Jerusalem to receive this honour with acclaim from the West Bank populace.

Victoria – no way!

For my life, and as a careful follower of news, I cannot think of ONE decision or position the government with Jacinta Allen as premier has taken that has positive outcomes for the people of Victoria. She is continuing the leadership practices of her predecessor, Daniel Andrews. Victoria is a state in ruin and is bankrupt to the extreme. I’d suggest the Victorian Government be put under Commonwealth administration—except that the Albanese Government is no better.

Trump and Putin meet in Alaska

Will this meeting yield any positives, or will the ‘same old, same old’ continue as it has since 24 February 2022 – 1271 days ago?

Albanese and his decisions

Anthony Albanese is doing what he says he is doing for Australia. I think he is doing what he is doing for himself. Invoking ‘Australia’ behind his actions is just a ploy to legitimise what he decides.  27

Mobile phones

My days as a school principal ended in retirement in January 2012. Then, mobile phones were more or less ‘newly emerging’ and students were far less gripped by the addiction of constant usage that is now the case. But there were still issues, without any debate at my school. Mobile phones were banned – as simple and as effective as that! Since then, with the proliferation of phones and their sad consequences, school administrators’ and educational systems’ hesitation to ban them has led to countless societal problems and issues. Mobile phones were declared essential educational tools in the NT at one stage. Fortunately and finally, bans and restrictions came into place, generally at a school level. However, despite ‘no phones’ policies, many schools still have significant issues due to the policy’s non-enforcement.  For educational systems and administrators, the problem is easily fixed. There is a rule – then enforce it! End of story.

Paul Keating and Victoria

Once upon a time, when Paul Keating overflew the NT, he declared this place to be ‘the arse end of the country’  or similar. He could offer the same epithet these days by overflying Victoria in a southbound direction.  What he said then was not entirely true, but it would be now if it were related to Victoria.

The Anchorage Meeting

Putin’s supremacy in dialogue and viewpoint insistence is paramount. The Anchorage showdown was like an episode of “The Master and the Apprentice” or ” The Maestro and the Novice.”  30

.

.

Donald Trump.

Mark Knight and Johannes Leak

Donald Trump.

That is the way it is!

Sad but true,

Discounted and condemned for what may or may not have happened historically.

For whites like me, the future is bleak.

I am made to feel like an imposter in the country of my birth.

Especially in the last ten years.

Donald Trump.

Being interviewed on CNN

Q – Queensland semi Brisbane – last week’s loser – against Gold Coast Suns – last week’s winners

Gold Coast kicked the first two goals of the game and then surrendered. The Gold Coast Suns trailed by only one point at quarter time but from there on it was all one way traffic.

This was the first time the Suns have been in the finals.

13 August 2015

Hawthorn, eighth in the AFL competition, won their second final to unseat minor premiership winners Adelaide Crows in Adelaide last night – August 12 2025

Hawthorn, eighth in the AFL competition, won their second final to unseat minor premiership winners Adelaide Crows in Adelaide last night – August 12 2025

THE CROWDED STANDS AT ADELAIDE OVAL

Hawthorn, eighth in the AFL competition, won their second final to unseat minor premiership winners Adelaide Crows in Adelaide last night – August 12 2025

Adelaide Oval

Donald Trump

I would give them away. I am through with travel. Happy to travel through TV.

We travelled a lot once but the challenge of travel in 2025 well and truly outweighs the benefits.

HAVE TV, WILL TRAVEL

The title sums up my future travel plans.

In an earlier post on a similar subject, I outlined some of the places my family had visited from the 1970s onward. Our last trip (the first without our children, who were now growing up) was to the UK.

From that point in time onward, The only time I’ve travelled anywhere has been to do with work, study or for medical needs.

Fast forward to 2023, I can say with absolute confidence that I’ve travelled nowhere other than for medical appointments (including a couple of diagnoses taking me to the southern states).

My vision via media of the way airports are always so crowded and dance with people, why my awareness of the fact that planes are constantly delayed. Flights cancelled, and knowing how crammed cabin space is for passengers these days, makes me not want to travel anywhere.

Airports are bustling with security and more crowded than any place on earth, making one feel like a sheep or a goat being drafted here and corralled there.

Once in the air, sitting in an economy seat with ever diminishing amount of legroom in space and it’s ever pressing closeness to the seat in front (usually accommodating someone who wants to put the seat back as far as it can go) makes one feel like a battery hen in a cage. You’re stuck.

When you get to where you’re going, it’s hustle and bustle and haste. It can be so hard to do what you want to do when you get there because other things have cropped up along the way, not the least bit in emergencies of weather and environment.

That’s why these days, when I want to travel, I turn on the television set. Television takes you worldwide in either a factual or a fictional sense. You can revisit history through programs developed to revisit times from years and years ago; You can catch a glimpse of the future through the eyes of those who develop cinematography that stretches beyond our century and into infinity.

I love travelling – in front of my television set

Welcome to country happens everywhere.

Donald Trump.

Are Aboriginal Australians the only Australians impacted by intergenerational trauma?

Response:

Intergenerational trauma affects various communities in Australia, not just Aboriginal Australians. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Aboriginal Australians: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have experienced significant trauma due to colonization, loss of land, systemic discrimination, and policies such as forced removal of children (the Stolen Generations). This has led to widespread intergenerational trauma within these communities.
2. Other Marginalized Groups: Other groups in Australia, including immigrants and refugees from war-torn countries, may also experience intergenerational trauma. Their experiences can stem from experiences of violence, displacement, and resettlement challenges.
3. Socioeconomic Factors: Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds can face trauma related to poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to resources. This can lead to patterns of trauma that affect future generations.
4. Cultural Impacts: Various cultural groups in Australia might carry their own historical traumas, which can influence the mental health and wellbeing of subsequent generations.
5. Recognition and Response: There is increasing recognition of the impacts of intergenerational trauma across different communities, and efforts are being made to address these issues through mental health support, community healing programs, and cultural education.

In summary, while Aboriginal Australians are significantly impacted by intergenerational trauma, they are not the only group in Australia experiencing these effects. Other communities also face challenges related to trauma that can affect generations.

But it is waved away for everyone else than Aboriginal Australians.

Everlasting flowers for everlasting thanks.

Great Game.

Continued

Tonight has become every night

Tonight I feel disquiet about the way the world is heading and feel more insecure and apprehensive about the future than I have for a long time. 

I feel that we are on the edge of catastrophe.

Be it at a local level, territory level, Australian level, regional level, or on the global front, it seems to me that more and more is going wrong and less and less is turning out right.

Not only are we afflicted by an increasing number of man-made disasters and tragedies, but it seems that environmental factors are evermore against us.

And now we are being divided on the basis of race with ‘intervenerational trauma’ being the justification for this division.

I confess to feeling a deepening level of apprehensiveness and despondency,  that has not overcome me to this extent for a long period. I do not feel good about the future.

AUSTRALIA – HELP!!

Major defecits 

• Defence capability
•  Food security
• Oil reserves
• Dead beat government threatened alliance with America
• Scared rabbit when confronted by the Chinese.

A shadow of the country it once was.

A place that upholds protests and downplays decency, law and order.

A location where production is at an all time low and where posturing and grandstanding hold pride of place.

A country where optimism and hope are draining away and down the gurgler.

Once a happy place but now a country where light is being snuffed out by a penumbra of creeping gloom.

I have appreciated the NT News since coming to the Northern Territory in 1975. For the past fifty years, the paper, in print and more recently online, has been an appreciated source of information.

While the paper’s focus and emphasis have varied over the years and decades, one constant has been the quality of photographs your photographers took and used to enhance stories and columns. 

Clive Hyde and Peter Bennett are among the best of an expert team.  Some terrific photographers have brought the paper to 2025, when photographic illustrations are as good as and possibly better than ever. 

Zizi Averill, Pema Tamang Pakhrin and others add quality through photographs and captions. Their work helps keep the NT News and Sunday Territorian as papers – both in print and online – with local appeal.

I could not help but ponder two stories on opposite pages in the NT News (8 September)

On page four, there was a column in which journalist Paul Shapiro was taken to task by Darcy Fitzgerald for his ultra-negative criticisms of our capital city. What came to mind was the need for balance in reporting.

Then on page five was another story, both alarming and sad, in which Mr Fitzgerald shared evidence of  Darwin being the “ … cocaine, ketamine, cannabis and alcohol capital”.  Along with that, tobacco use by Territorians is the highest in Australia. 

The Chair of Banyan House rehabilitation service, Dr Robert Parker, echoed the alarm this story should raise.  He described alcohol as “ … the most problematic drug in the Territory … (and) one of the reasons we have such a high rate of violence and crime in the NT”.

These two columns left me wondering “where to from here for Darwin and the NT.”

The future of Albanese as Prime Minister

PM Albanese is starting to cook his goose regarding his continuance as Prime Minister. Suffice it to say, and in the not-too-distant future, he will be forced to relinquish the Prime Ministership to one or another of his front benchers.  However, talent is somewhat limited by the strangulation of leftist policies.

Road use tax

In our part of the world, the state of roads is a testament to the fact that much more money is needed, not to extend roads but to maintain and upgrade what we have correctly. Increasingly, Darwin, Palmerston, and rural areas have roads nearby. Bumps and pothole patches are so numerous that they are like the pattern of endless patches Lena stitched onto Yarcob’s britches.

We are blessed to have many thoughtful and vibrant people standing for the local government election. However, voters will be hard-pressed because candidates of equal calibre will miss out no matter who they vote for.

A medal of valour for our PM

There is a possibility and a very high level of probability that the Palestinian leader will present our Prime Minister with a Medal of Valour for his declared position on Palestine’s future. He may be invited to Jerusalem to receive this honour with acclaim from the West Bank populace.

Victoria – no way!

For my life, and as a careful follower of news, I cannot think of ONE decision or position the government with Jacinta Allen as premier has taken that has positive outcomes for the people of Victoria. She is continuing the leadership practices of her predecessor, Daniel Andrews. Victoria is a state in ruin and is bankrupt to the extreme. I’d suggest the Victorian Government be put under Commonwealth administration—except that the Albanese Government is no better.

Trump and Putin meet in Alaska

Will this meeting yield any positives, or will the ‘same old, same old’ continue as it has since 24 February 2022 – 1271 days ago?

Albanese and his decisions

Anthony Albanese is doing what he says he is doing for Australia. I think he is doing what he is doing for himself. Invoking ‘Australia’ behind his actions is just a ploy to legitimise what he decides.  27

Mobile phones

My days as a school principal ended in retirement in January 2012. Then, mobile phones were more or less ‘newly emerging’ and students were far less gripped by the addiction of constant usage that is now the case. But there were still issues, without any debate at my school. Mobile phones were banned – as simple and as effective as that! Since then, with the proliferation of phones and their sad consequences, school administrators’ and educational systems’ hesitation to ban them has led to countless societal problems and issues. Mobile phones were declared essential educational tools in the NT at one stage. Fortunately and finally, bans and restrictions came into place, generally at a school level. However, despite ‘no phones’ policies, many schools still have significant issues due to the policy’s non-enforcement.  For educational systems and administrators, the problem is easily fixed. There is a rule – then enforce it! End of story.

Paul Keating and Victoria

Once upon a time, when Paul Keating overflew the NT, he declared this place to be ‘the arse end of the country’  or similar. He could offer the same epithet these days by overflying Victoria in a southbound direction.  What he said then was not entirely true, but it would be now if it were related to Victoria.

The Anchorage Meeting

Putin’s supremacy in dialogue and viewpoint insistence is paramount. The Anchorage showdown was like an episode of “The Master and the Apprentice” or ” The Maestro and the Novice.”  30

.

.

Suddenly and with little warning came heavy rain and strong winds to the Red Centre mid afternoon on September 8 2025.

Water pooled in the Todd River but it did not run.

Is there an endpoint to intergenerational trauma? Is someone born in 2025, close to 250 years after settlement of non-Aboriginal people in Australia, suffer from trauma for changes in the cultural structure of the landscape all that time ago?

Response:

The question of whether there is an endpoint to intergenerational trauma is complex and involves multiple factors, particularly in the context of specific historical and cultural backgrounds, such as that of Indigenous Australians. Here are some considerations regarding the potential for healing and the impact on future generations:

Potential Endpoints to Intergenerational Trauma

1. Healing Through Awareness:

• Increased awareness and acknowledgment of historical traumas can foster healing. Education about the past can help descendants understand their heritage and the ongoing effects of trauma.

1. Cultural Revitalization:

• Active efforts to revitalize and maintain cultural practices, languages, and traditions can empower communities and mitigate the effects of intergenerational trauma. This can create a sense of identity and belonging that counters trauma.

1. Therapeutic Interventions:

• Access to culturally appropriate mental health services and trauma-informed care can help individuals and communities process historical trauma, providing pathways to recovery.

1. Community Resilience:

• Strengthening community ties and support systems can promote resilience, allowing descendants to thrive despite past traumas and breaking cycles of trauma.

The Case of Future Generations

1. Impact of Historical Trauma:

• While a child born in 2025 may not have directly experienced the events of settlement or colonialism, the effects of intergenerational trauma can still impact them. This can manifest in emotional, social, and economic challenges that are rooted in the historical experiences of their ancestors.

1. Living Legacy:

• The cultural, social, and economic landscape shaped by past injustices continues to affect current and future generations. These impacts can perpetuate cycles of disadvantage or trauma.

1. Opportunity for Change:

• Each new generation carries the potential to address and heal from these traumas. Through concerted efforts at the individual, community, and societal levels, future generations can work towards breaking the cycle of trauma.

Conclusion

While intergenerational trauma presents significant challenges, it also opens avenues for healing and resilience. The experience of those born in the future will depend on how society acknowledges and addresses historical injustices, creates supportive environments, and fosters cultural revitalization. The goal is to cultivate a future where descendants can thrive without the burdens of past traumas.

Is it still all for real?

Response:

Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of the effects of trauma from one generation to another. This concept suggests that the psychological, emotional, and even physical effects of trauma experienced by individuals can influence their descendants, often manifesting in various ways. Here are some key points:

Understanding Intergenerational Trauma

1. Origins of Trauma: Trauma can stem from various sources, including war, genocide, systemic oppression, violence, abuse, and significant loss.
2. Transmission Mechanisms:

• Psychological Impact: Survivors of trauma may develop mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, which can affect their parenting styles and relationships.
• Behavioral Patterns: Children may adopt coping mechanisms and behavioral patterns learned from their parents, often reflecting the unresolved trauma of previous generations.
• Biological Factors: Emerging research suggests that trauma may alter genetic expression and stress response systems, potentially passing predispositions to future generations.

1. Cultural Context: In many indigenous and marginalized communities, the effects of colonialism, slavery, and oppression can create a collective trauma that impacts multiple generations.
2. Healing Processes: Understanding intergenerational trauma is crucial for healing. Strategies may include therapy, community support, cultural reconnection, and educating descendants about their history.
3. Examples: Many studies highlight intergenerational trauma in various contexts, such as Holocaust survivors and their descendants, Indigenous populations in North America, and communities affected by systemic racism.

Conclusion

Intergenerational trauma underscores the importance of recognizing the long-lasting effects of trauma and the need for compassionate approaches to healing that consider the historical and familial contexts of trauma experiences.

Does it last forever and evermore?

11 – 20 comments

Indeterminate Prime Minister

Our PM seems to do a lot of huffing and puffing about key world issues, but is not stamping himself with any authority in matters of substance. Is it a case of having two bob each way?

On being retired

I retired from full-time educational participation in January 2012. I have enjoyed the intervening years since then. I like being retired. It is not deadly dull and boring. I reflect a lot, write a lot, talk a lot, sing a lot, laugh a lot, and create poetry that is everything from nonsensical to severe. I also observe, with my mouth agape, how people who are leaders today do NOT. I like to consider history, which may assist in their decision-making. They love making the same mistakes that have been made in the past.  I enjoy the lead-up to elections and like pondering the future, which seems more to be heading south than north. Where to from here – further into retirement until the end of my time on earth.

The depth of Mr Burke

It is tough for me to ever accept what Minister Burke says on the subject of Palestine and HAMAS. They are not separate entities but are bound together. I remember how willing Mr Burke was to offer parliamentary responsibilities on the issue to satisfy voters in his electorate before May this year. Depth in every personality is essential. For with depth there is substance. Superficial statements are but a veneer.

Australia’s compass is failing

I am very worried about Australia’s future. Metaphorically, I feel we have moved from a country whose people were on a smooth and well-maintained road to one that is full of uncertainties, corrugations, and potholes.

Prime Minister Utterances

Sometimes, when hearing and trying to digest some of our Prime Minister’s positions through his actions and utterances, I cannot help but remember the cartoon strip about Popeye the Sailor Man and his tins of spinach.

Tread with caution, Mr Prime Minister

In the eyes of Donald Trump, Mr Albanese needs to be careful not to blow his credibility. He is walking a fine line in piloting Australia into an uncharted future with dangerous possibilities to unleash on our island-continent.

Four-day working week

It seems that employees—or at least their unions, in which some have membership—want more and more from workers, with them doing less and less. This is turning into a no-win situation for business and possibly industry. For many companies, robotic performance and AI will become standard alternatives to live people at work—and that in the not-too-distant future.

Dr Chalmers Round Table

I am envisaging this summit. It will involve key people—very important people in their respective fields of endeavour—walking, talking, sitting, and thinking about what will work for Australia. They will get 10/10 – A+ for their earnestness and their endeavours.   18

Darwin is on the cutting edge of potential conflict

In defence terms, Australia is on a hiding to nothing. With the dawn of every new day here in Darwin, a city in the most vulnerable of positions, should conflict eventuate, I wondered how long it would be before Australia is confronted by aggressive overseas adversaries.

Putin always bests Trump

I doubt the Trump-Putin meeting will be more than pie-in-the-sky hot air posturing. Putin has Trump’s measure and is the only leader in the world who can best and outlast him. 20

Where to from here?

Donald Trump’s press secretary

So well organised and conducted with decorum. A model that could be emulated in Australia.

8 September 2025 — Total Lunar Eclipse — Darwin, NT, Australia Time Weather Time Zone DST Sun & Moon

Today Sunrise & Sunset Moonrise & Moonset Moon Phases Eclipses Night Sky
8 Sep 2025 at 3:41 am

Max View in Darwin, Northern Territory
Global Event:
Total Lunar Eclipse
Local Type:
Total Lunar Eclipse in Darwin, Northern Territory
Begins:
Mon, 8 Sep 2025 at 12:58 am
Maximum:
Mon, 8 Sep 2025 at 3:41 am 1.362 Magnitude
Ends:
Mon, 8 Sep 2025 at 6:25 am
Duration:
5 hours, 27 minutes
All times shown on this page are local time.

Many will be up early to watch

Tell me about Henry Gray at Warburton Ranges school as a teacher in 1970 then as headmaster from 1974 to April 1975. How was he regarded and remembered?

Response:

Henry Gray served as a teacher at Warburton Ranges school in 1970 and later became the headmaster from 1974 to April 1975. Here’s an overview of his time there and how he was regarded.

Teaching Experience (1970)

• Henry Gray began his teaching career at Warburton Ranges, a remote school located in Western Australia. He mentioned that the nearest town, Laverton, was over 500 kilometers away, illustrating the isolation of the location.
• His experiences during this early period were documented in his reflections, where he shared insights about teaching in a challenging environment and the unique dynamics of working in a remote Indigenous community.

Headmaster (1974 – April 1975)

• Gray returned to Warburton Ranges as the headmaster after spending three years managing a smaller, one-teacher school in Gillingarra.
• During his tenure, he focused on providing education in a culturally sensitive manner, acknowledging the diverse needs of Aboriginal students.
• His leadership was characterized by a commitment to improving the educational outcomes for students in a remote setting and adapting to the specific cultural context of the community.

Reputation and Legacy

• Gray is remembered for his dedication to education and his ability to connect with students in a remote and challenging environment. He has shared reflections on this time, highlighting both the difficulties and rewards of working in such settings.
• Through his writings and contributions to education, he has influenced approaches to teaching in remote areas, particularly within Indigenous communities.

Further Information

• For more details about Gray’s reflections on his teaching experiences and insights on education in remote settings, you can check out the following resources:
• Warburton A Long Time Ago
• Reflections on Young Henry as a Teacher
• Educational Reflections from My First Years

These resources provide deeper insights into Gray’s experiences and contributions to the field of education, especially in remote regions.

If you asked AI about yourself, what would it say about you?

To AI

Tell me about Graylands Teachers college in Perth WA in 1969.

Response:

Graylands Teachers College, established in 1955, was a prominent institution for primary teacher education located in Mount Claremont, Perth, Western Australia. By 1969, the college had developed a distinct identity as a key provider of teacher training during a period of significant educational evolution in Australia.

Key Points about Graylands Teachers College in 1969

• Location and Infrastructure: The college was situated in Mount Claremont and was known for its unique facilities, including some structures like Nissan huts that were remnants from its earlier use as a post-World War II migrant camp.
• Curriculum and Training: In 1969, the curriculum at Graylands focused on preparing teachers for emerging educational challenges, emphasizing both practical teaching skills and theoretical foundations in education.
• Student Experience: Students at Graylands developed strong camaraderie, and many participated in various extracurricular activities, which helped foster a sense of community among future educators.
• Transitioning Landscape: The late 1960s marked a transitional phase in Australian education, with Graylands being part of a wider discussion on educational reforms and teacher training methodologies.
• Closure: The college continued to operate until its closure in 1979, partly due to the establishment of newer teacher training institutions designed to meet the expanding needs of the Western Australian education system.

For further information, you can check the Wikipedia entry on Graylands Teachers College or explore reunion-related content that reflects on the experiences of its former students from 1969.

Yes – we were taught to teach. In that era was proper training – that no longer takes place.

What happens to tattoos when people with them start to have sagging and wrinkled skin?

Response:

As people age and their skin begins to sag and wrinkle, the appearance of tattoos can change significantly. Here’s how:

1. Distortion: Tattoos are embedded in the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the outer layer. As the skin loses elasticity, tattoos may stretch or appear distorted, particularly in areas that experience more movement or weight changes.
2. Fading: Skin aging can lead to a loss of vibrancy in tattoos. The ink may appear lighter as the skin thins and the pigment disperses. Sun exposure can also accelerate this fading process.
3. Blurred Lines: Over time, the sharpness of the tattoo lines may blur as the skin texture changes, making detailed designs less crisp.
4. Location Matters: Tattoos on areas that are prone to more sagging (like the abdomen or breasts) may change more noticeably than those on more stable areas (like the forearms or thighs).
5. Removal Considerations: If someone becomes unhappy with how their tattoo looks due to skin changes, they may consider removal options, which can be more complex as skin ages.

In general, tattoos can age along with the skin, leading to a different visual appearance that may require touch-ups or adjustments over time.

Let the buyer beware!

Do people insure their tattoos?

Response:

Yes, some people do choose to insure their tattoos. Tattoo insurance is not very common, but it can provide coverage for damage, loss, or other issues related to a tattoo. Here are some key points about tattoo insurance:

1. Coverage Types: Insurance policies may cover things like damage from accidents, fading, or removal costs if needed.
2. Specialty Plans: Some companies offer specialty plans for tattoo insurance, often requiring documentation of the tattoo’s value.
3. Art and Celebrity Tattoos: High-profile tattoos or artwork by well-known tattoo artists may be more likely to be insured, especially if they hold significant value.
4. Not Standard: Traditional health insurance typically does not cover tattoos, except in cases where removal is medically necessary.

If you’re considering tattoo insurance, it’s essential to research providers and understand the terms of the policy.

What is the strangest place in which a person has ever sung.

Response:

The strangest places where people have sung can vary widely based on personal experiences, but here are some notable examples:

1. Underwater

• Some people have attempted to sing while scuba diving, taking advantage of the unique acoustics and environment of being underwater.

2. In Space

• Astronaut Chris Hadfield famously sang David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” aboard the International Space Station, making it one of the most extraordinary performances in a microgravity environment.

3. In an Active Volcano

• In 2011, a group of singers reportedly performed inside an active volcano in Nicaragua, taking advantage of the dramatic scenery and acoustics.

4. Haunted Locations

• There have been performances in reputedly haunted places, such as old prisons or abandoned buildings, adding a spooky atmosphere to the act of singing.

5. In a Shark Cage

• Some adventurous souls have chosen to sing while submerged in a cage amongst sharks, combining thrill-seeking with performance.

6. On Top of a Mountain

• Singing at high altitudes, like on the summit of Mount Everest, can create a surreal experience due to the stunning vistas and the challenge of singing in thin air.

These examples showcase the creativity and adventurous spirit of performers seeking unique experiences!

I sing in the toilet

Do tattoos add value to human bodies?

Response:

The value of tattoos on human bodies can be subjective and depends on various personal, cultural, and societal factors. Here are some perspectives:

Pros:

1. Personal Expression: Tattoos can serve as a form of self-expression, allowing individuals to display their personality, beliefs, or significant life events.
2. Cultural Significance: In many cultures, tattoos have deep-rooted meanings and can symbolize rites of passage, social status, or community belonging.
3. Aesthetic Appeal: Many people find tattoos beautiful and consider them art, enhancing the visual appeal of the body.
4. Therapeutic Value: For some, getting a tattoo can be a healing experience, helping to reclaim their body after trauma.

Cons:

1. Stigmatization: In some societies, tattoos can carry a stigma or be associated with negative stereotypes, potentially affecting personal and professional opportunities.
2. Regret: Some individuals may regret their tattoos over time, leading to feelings of loss or dissatisfaction with their bodies.
3. Health Risks: There are potential health risks associated with getting tattoos, including infections or allergic reactions.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, whether tattoos add value to a person’s body is a matter of personal opinion. For some, they are a source of pride and identity, while for others, they may hold less significance.

Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

“FEES” … A DIRTY WORD

This piece was published in the ‘NT Sun’ on August 21, 2018.

(This was the 250th column I have written and had published in the NT Sun.)

“FEES” … A DIRTY WORD

Use of the word ‘fees’ when requesting monetary support for government schools from parents or primary caregivers, was outlawed over a decade ago. Until that time schools, when requesting extra support to assist in covering costs for educational extras, did not have to be so careful when wording this request.

This change was necessary because of the connotations linked to ‘the word’. Asking for a fee was seen as a compulsory demand. Public education was promoted as being free, so using ‘the word’ when requesting extra monetary support was not appropriate. At the time, both the government and the education department went to great lengths to ensure schools did not make any reference to fees. This was so off-putting and of such concern to some school leaders, that money contributed to support programs, was refunded to parents.

The issue was eventually clarified with the following statement under ‘Fees and contributions’ on the Education Department website. “Tuition for the standard curriculum program is provided free to all students in government schools.

There are three areas where you may be requested to make a contribution:

Educational items

Optional extra items

Voluntary contributions.”

A further statement clarifies the issue of voluntary contributions. “You may be asked to make a financial contribution or donation to your child’s school for a specific purpose. You are not obliged to contribute.” (Bolding mine)

The department and schools considered the embarrassment when inability to pay arose. “If you are unable to contribute to optional extra items because of financial hardship you should arrange a confidential talk with the school principal. Confidentiality, privacy and dignity will always be maintained.”

The NT Government’s Back to School Payment Scheme of $150 per child each year, helps with defraying some of the costs parents face. In particular, the vouchers can be be used to offset the cost of book packs and school uniforms.

There has always been some angst about educational costs. 

Populist thinking is that in government schools, everything should be provided, with education being totally free for parents. Without parental contributions, many of the extra programs that add to extending educational opportunity would not happen.

Explaining how voluntary contributions will be used and what extras they will provide always helps. Some schools produce an information statement for parents, explaining how contributions will support these extra programs.

This helps counter misunderstandings about the way donated money is used. Without doubt, the provision of quality education is enhanced by these contributions

Indeterminate Prime Minister

Our PM seems to do a lot of huffing and puffing about key world issues, but is not stamping himself with any authority in matters of substance. Is it a case of having two bob each way?

On being retired

I retired from full-time educational participation in January 2012. I have enjoyed the intervening years since then. I like being retired. It is not deadly dull and boring. I reflect a lot, write a lot, talk a lot, sing a lot, laugh a lot, and create poetry that is everything from nonsensical to severe. I also observe, with my mouth agape, how people who are leaders today do NOT. I like to consider history, which may assist in their decision-making. They love making the same mistakes that have been made in the past.  I enjoy the lead-up to elections and like pondering the future, which seems more to be heading south than north. Where to from here – further into retirement until the end of my time on earth.

The depth of Mr Burke

It is tough for me to ever accept what Minister Burke says on the subject of Palestine and HAMAS. They are not separate entities but are bound together. I remember how willing Mr Burke was to offer parliamentary responsibilities on the issue to satisfy voters in his electorate before May this year. Depth in every personality is essential. For with depth there is substance. Superficial statements are but a veneer.

Australia’s compass is failing

I am very worried about Australia’s future. Metaphorically, I feel we have moved from a country whose people were on a smooth and well-maintained road to one that is full of uncertainties, corrugations, and potholes.

Prime Minister Utterances

Sometimes, when hearing and trying to digest some of our Prime Minister’s positions through his actions and utterances, I cannot help but remember the cartoon strip about Popeye the Sailor Man and his tins of spinach.

Tread with caution, Mr Prime Minister

In the eyes of Donald Trump, Mr Albanese needs to be careful not to blow his credibility. He is walking a fine line in piloting Australia into an uncharted future with dangerous possibilities to unleash on our island-continent.

Four-day working week

It seems that employees—or at least their unions, in which some have membership—want more and more from workers, with them doing less and less. This is turning into a no-win situation for business and possibly industry. For many companies, robotic performance and AI will become standard alternatives to live people at work—and that in the not-too-distant future.

Dr Chalmers Round Table

I am envisaging this summit. It will involve key people—very important people in their respective fields of endeavour—walking, talking, sitting, and thinking about what will work for Australia. They will get 10/10 – A+ for their earnestness and their endeavours.   18

Darwin is on the cutting edge of potential conflict

In defence terms, Australia is on a hiding to nothing. With the dawn of every new day here in Darwin, a city in the most vulnerable of positions, should conflict eventuate, I wondered how long it would be before Australia is confronted by aggressive overseas adversaries.

Putin always bests Trump

I doubt the Trump-Putin meeting will be more than pie-in-the-sky hot air posturing. Putin has Trump’s measure and is the only leader in the world who can best and outlast him. 20

The future of Albanese as Prime Minister

PM Albanese is starting to cook his goose regarding his continuance as Prime Minister. Suffice it to say, and in the not-too-distant future, he will be forced to relinquish the Prime Ministership to one or another of his front benchers.  However, talent is somewhat limited by the strangulation of leftist policies.

Road use tax

In our part of the world, the state of roads is a testament to the fact that much more money is needed, not to extend roads but to maintain and upgrade what we have correctly. Increasingly, Darwin, Palmerston, and rural areas have roads nearby. Bumps and pothole patches are so numerous that they are like the pattern of endless patches Lena stitched onto Yarcob’s britches.

We are blessed to have many thoughtful and vibrant people standing for the local government election. However, voters will be hard-pressed because candidates of equal calibre will miss out no matter who they vote for.

A medal of valour for our PM

There is a possibility and a very high level of probability that the Palestinian leader will present our Prime Minister with a Medal of Valour for his declared position on Palestine’s future. He may be invited to Jerusalem to receive this honour with acclaim from the West Bank populace.

Victoria – no way!

For my life, and as a careful follower of news, I cannot think of ONE decision or position the government with Jacinta Allen as premier has taken that has positive outcomes for the people of Victoria. She is continuing the leadership practices of her predecessor, Daniel Andrews. Victoria is a state in ruin and is bankrupt to the extreme. I’d suggest the Victorian Government be put under Commonwealth administration—except that the Albanese Government is no better.

Trump and Putin meet in Alaska

Will this meeting yield any positives, or will the ‘same old, same old’ continue as it has since 24 February 2022 – 1271 days ago?

Albanese and his decisions

Anthony Albanese is doing what he says he is doing for Australia. I think he is doing what he is doing for himself. Invoking ‘Australia’ behind his actions is just a ploy to legitimise what he decides.  27

Mobile phones

My days as a school principal ended in retirement in January 2012. Then, mobile phones were more or less ‘newly emerging’ and students were far less gripped by the addiction of constant usage that is now the case. But there were still issues, without any debate at my school. Mobile phones were banned – as simple and as effective as that! Since then, with the proliferation of phones and their sad consequences, school administrators’ and educational systems’ hesitation to ban them has led to countless societal problems and issues. Mobile phones were declared essential educational tools in the NT at one stage. Fortunately and finally, bans and restrictions came into place, generally at a school level. However, despite ‘no phones’ policies, many schools still have significant issues due to the policy’s non-enforcement.  For educational systems and administrators, the problem is easily fixed. There is a rule – then enforce it! End of story.

Paul Keating and Victoria

Once upon a time, when Paul Keating overflew the NT, he declared this place to be ‘the arse end of the country’  or similar. He could offer the same epithet these days by overflying Victoria in a southbound direction.  What he said then was not entirely true, but it would be now if it were related to Victoria.

The Anchorage Meeting

Putin’s supremacy in dialogue and viewpoint insistence is paramount. The Anchorage showdown was like an episode of “The Master and the Apprentice” or ” The Maestro and the Novice.”  30

Perish the thought

The thought or suggestion that our PM would ever have a go at the RBA over interest levels is preposterous. Our PM accepts accountability – he does not deflect it onto others. He offered others bouquets of appreciation, never brickbats of negative appreciation.

Payback from Netanyahu

The responses from PM Netanyahu – not untrue in my opinion – are understandable, given the length of time and the frequency of retorts against Israel that our government has perpetrated. It is no wonder the Australian Jewish Community feels abandoned and alone.

Premier Chrisafulli to charge audience fees

What a load of garbage. Premier Chrisafulli, you have gone down 80% in my estimation. You are supposed to be a leader who is accessible to all. You are not a god, and this move on your part is the height of arrogance.

Child care all regulation and no fun

As a school principal, my first  – and best – experience with children was in 1988/89.  Our school had a general-purpose room. After school, the children gathered in that room for activities with the program leader and one or two other ladies. The program ran like clockwork; there were no worries, limited regulations, and there was lots of homework done, some excursions, physical and sporting activities, and arts and crafts. The program was so good. Come 1990, and the beginning of regulations. From then on, the program entered a different era – as was the case all around Australia. The goodness of childcare has eroded over time and will never again reflect the honest simplicity and the parental trust it once enjoyed.

Denying what happened – Australian Government Trait

Thank you for this insightful and well-researched paper. Can a copy please be sent to Anthony Albanese, Penny Wong, and Tony Burke? The three copies should be sent by registered mail, requiring the recipients to sign on delivery, so the awarenesses offered are not shrugged aside as irrelevant.

Leadership – master and apprentice

This story and its revelations confirm that Donald Trump is really nervous about deeply offending Vladimir Putin. Putin is the master of demonstrating leadership determination, and Trump is still on a learning curve.

At the end, his car was chased out of town by a tractor brigade.

I.T.  

I.T.,  

Idealogue,  

To you alter ego,  

We sacrifice our souls.  

BAAL  

Of the modern era,  

To you all things are beholden.  

Servant,  

Now master,  

Bowing low in supplication,  

We are putty in your hands.  

Hydra  

With seven heads,  

Your resource appetite is enormous,  

Knowing no bounds.  

Barely satisfied,  

By the dollars,  

The tens of thousands of dollars,  

Poured into your thirsty gap.  

Venus Flytrap,  

Your scent entices,  

Your jaws snap shut,  

You suck our vitality,  

Eschew our energy,  

Spitting our dry, skeletal remains.  

Quickly forgotten,  

We blow away on the winds of change,  

While you seek,  

Your next victim.  

Praying Mantis,  

Upon us you prey,  

Grabbed!  

Our heads serrated by your pincers,  

You feast upon our brains,  

Injecting numbing belief,  

That YOU,  

I.T.,  

Are ALL that counts.  

Prince of Modern Darkness,  

You command attention,  

We look upon you,  

Falling like blind souls,  

At your technological feet.  

Stunned  by your intensity,  

We let all things,  

Other than YOU,  

Slip from peripheral vision,  

Plunging,  

All considerations BUT I.T.,  

Into never-ending darkness.  

I.T.,  

You are a drug,  

Seared into our psyche.  

You are an aphrodisiac,  

A demigod,  

Exciting our desire,  

Driving us to worship at your altar,  

NOTHING else matters.  

Pied Piper,  

You have lead your rats to the brink.  

Stand smilingly aside,  

Witness from your screens,  

As we sink,  

Further and further,  

Into a hopeless abyss,  

Of eternal servitude,  

From which,  

We will NEVER  emerge.  

POH

_____________

Does all out immigration adding to the population of a country help the economy?