But there was this water tank and on hot days, it got plenty of use.

• Why is Donald Trump always forgiven for any indiscretion or misjudgements?

• Why during election campaigns, are politicans and parties allowed to smear opponents, including the publication of outright lies?

• Why do electors often fall for promises and outcomes that offer short term benefits but long term pain because of increasing indebtedness of their governments?

The road is patched. 

They fixed it fast, 

But how long will.

The patching last?

Fixing the road, 

I am amazed,

The patching done 

In but four days.

Job is done, 

Hip, hip horray,

Thanks for the tip off,

Henry Gray.

The patch looks good,

But sad to say, 

Not for long,

Will it be that way.

Putting ‘good’

On a base that’s bad,

Just helps to make,

This old man sad.

The patching’s good,

Safe and secure,

But of longevity … 

I am unsure.

Soaked with water,

Surface cracked and crazed, 

Patch won’t hold,

For many days.

Soon those crazed cracks 

Will open wide,

Incessant rain,

They can’t abide.

The rot won’t stop,

Or breakdown pause

Surface subsides,

From weight of cars.

Soon t’will be potholes,

Or maybe ten,

The fix-up then,

Will start again.

Breakdown, repair,

Holes come in batches,

Till the roads,

Are nothing but patches.

Our roads once good,

Scoured by road hogs,

These vital links,

Have gone to the dogs.

If I could talk with someone for just one day, I would like to be Vladimir Putin’s alter ego. I would persuade in the following areas.

(Alter egos are persuadable but of course Mr Putin is intractable.)

Following conversation the Alter Ego would speak as follows.

“Within the day I would try to right the wrongs committed against Ukraine. I would withdraw all my troops, and initiate peace and reparation talks with President Zelenski.

I will put in place plans to reconstruct those areas of Ukraine my troops have laid desolate and waste.

I would withdraw from all occupied territories associated with Ukraine including the Crimean Peninsular.

I would expedite reconstruction by designating engineers, construction firms, and at least 25,000 personnel to go in and start rebuilding all that had been wrecked.

I would require my defence forces to locate them to remove all minds that had been laid.

I would employ Russian earthmoving companies to make good the terrain devastated by trenches and upheaval.

I would authorise a payment equivalent to 10,000 American dollars to each Ukrainian displaced by the unjust war I created.

I would support Ukraine in joining NATO. I would also withdraw Russia from membership of the Security Council because we have sold that institution short.

Together with my generals and other key decision-makers supporting my commands, I would petition that we appear before the International Court of Justice, pre-empting that appearance by pleading guilty to heinous crimes.

My final act would be to dissolve the Russian Government, stepping down as leader and asking the United Nations to instigate procedures to turn Russia’s autocratic power into an elected democracy.

On that day I would try to make good all that has been so wrong in the way I have acted in the past.”

Back to real life.

1186 days into this war ‘

How I wish!!

Bluff and bluster, bullying and threats. I’m sorry, President Trump, but Vladimir Putin essentially says, ‘Jump.’

Your reaction suggests a response of, ‘How high?’

Putin is a puppet master, and other world leaders look and gaze and are his puppets.

The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection unless you are an archer fish.

It seems that the Coalition –  especially the Liberal arm – will keep on dividing and splintering. ‘Implosion’ is an area of expertise that has dominated the Liberal ranks at the State, Territory and National levels for eons of time.  

For me, one of the standout examples was the demise of the Giles CLP Government in. the NT after Giles and others conspired to punt Terry Mills, the Chief Minister, after he led the party to victory in 2012 following 12 years in the political wilderness. 

Mills was axed while he was in Japan doing business for the government. Under Giles leadership takeover, the government leased the Darwin Port to a Chinese-based company, Landbridge, for 99 years, adding to alarming decisions by selling TIO. 

Now, after eight more years of Labor in the NT—with the CLP reduced to two seats in the Assembly in the 2016 election before beginning to recover – we have the CLP Government back. Whether it is a long-term or one-term government is in its hands to decide. 

That principle of internal division applies to Australia-wide Liberal politics. Will this ever change? Is the now Liberal – National divide in Canberra, aiming to cement the Labor Party into everlasting Federal government?

Where to from here?

Do you have any collections?

Metaphorically speaking, when it comes to collecting and collections, I am a bit like a bower bird. I hang onto things for a long, long time and create frustration in others when I won’t tidy up, throw out, or give away items that I have collected.

Among the collectables I have kept are the following:

All my annual diaries from 1970 onward – there is a gap here in there but they’re mostly intact.

Copies of letters that I sent to people over the years as we were working in rural and remote parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. They are a good record.

The various trip diaries I compiled when we were travelling overseas and interstate.

Albums of coins, especially those appropriately cast for commemerative reasons.

Chronicles of teaching and administrative materials that I acquired over the years, in order to assist others and also to stimulate writing on educational subjects, something I do in retirement.

Collections of slides and photographs of places that we have seen, worked in, and lived in, over the years. (These need to be converted).

In terms of collection I have given a great deal of material to the Northern Territory Archives, because as I get older it becomes of less used to me and if it’s not given a way where it may be useful for research purposes in years to come, it may well finish up at the rubbish tip when our house is cleared out.

Copies of articles I have contributed to publications over many years. Included is the volume of 300 columns I wrote for the Northern Territory News in a weekly column “ Gray Matters” for nearly 6 years after my retirement. (I have never written for remuneration .)

I also have a great deal of material that is saved online, including photographs, written materials and so on.

I really use LinkedIn as a source where by written material is retained in a collectible manner.

I blog and have over 4000 pieces of written and .saved material.

Collectibles ultimately translate into a trove of quite wealthy information.

Donazld Trump’s word.

It is high time the NT Government got on with introducing and passing Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) legislation.

Many people have suffered much since the callous removal of the Perron Law on VAD in the late 1990s. The NT was the first, and now we are the last in Australia to have this enlightened and humanist right.

An extensive inquiry has been held, and the results have been released. The government is now asking the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee (LCAC), chaired by Member for Fong Lim Dr Tanzil Rahman, to undertake an inquiry into the ‘Voluntary Assisted Dyingf in the NT—final report 2024’. That report was based on exhaustive consultation and carefully crafted recommendations.

For the government to contemplate an ‘inquiry of the inquiry’ is just dithering and messing with a vital need. Just enact the appropriate legislation to legitimise an entitlement that has been delayed for far too long.

Why is the government hanging back?

Now all I have to do is somehow upgrade them to a more permanent way of preservation.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

The words uttered by Donald Trump

Never ever underestimate the value of keeping a diary. You never know when you will be thankful you did!

In a previous entry I wrote of the value of record keeping. Many professionals keep brief records because of the time it takes to compile these documents. Over the years I have put hundreds and hundreds of hours into diary keeping and extended records including case notes. My diaries are personal documents. Copies of all other records were always kept. When I retired, these records came with me.

Records can help if one becomes involved with writing. As a regular contributor to newspaper columns and in writing for online and print publications my records have been an invaluable assist.

In recent years, it has become commonplace for past students to begin litigation against former teachers and principals. These actions can be about any number of issues, ranging from teaching ineptitude resulting in fail grades through to allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Without the advantage of records, recall is at best vague and hazy. With the assistance of records, searches can be made to assist in refuting false and malicious allegations.

I strongly urge educators to establish the diary habit and practice record keeping. You never know when this habit will reward you for the effort.

CORRECTING FOR POLITENESS SAKE

These days, manners are not practised by habit. Many children (and adults) are poorly mannered. It seems that a big percentage have never been taught the rudiments of good manners at home. Child care programs may try but their prime focus is on minding, not on teaching.

All too frequently children overlook ‘excuse me’, ‘please’, ‘thank you’. ‘i beg your pardon’ and so on. Although it gets monotonous, correcting students who overlook these essences of politeness and good manners is important. Commenting in a praising context to children who do remember to use these words and expressions can offer positive reinforcement.

One of the most frequent oversights occurs when children butt into conversations being held by teachers with another student or students. That impetuosity certainly needs correction. Children need to appreciate the need to wait their turn when dealing with teachers.

Manners can be broached through appropriately constructed lessons. To involve students in situational role play where manners need to be practised can help. Periodic classroom discussions about manners and politeness might be useful.

The subject could be broached through a Socratic Discussion session.

Strategies to reinforce the need for good manners including reinforcement through daily classroom interaction should be part of teaching and learning strategy.

Donald Trump’s words.

What is the legacy you want to leave behind?

LEGACY ON LEAVING

I enjoy life, but I am a realist. As a 77-year-old man I know that I am on the downhill stretch, heading towards the sunset of life. At one stage as a younger person I used to be frightened about passing over, but that is no longer the case.

Life has four phases in terms of the mortal stage.

You get born.

You grow up.

You become old.

You go dead.

I am well aware of the phase of life I now occupy.

The overarching legacy of life that I want to be leaving behind, relate to the first aspect of my mission statement which reads “to fulfil and be fulfilled in organisational mode, family, work, recreation“. If my legacy is an affirmation of positive fulfilment of this position, I will be well satisfied. Those three elements (a tripod if you like) have been my focus and concentration for a very long time. I want to depart this mortal coil leaving behind memories and indeed a legacy so show that this checked it has been fulfilled.

I want people to remember Henry Gray as a person who was a man of integrity.

Finally, I want to be remembered as a person who “ worked with a smile in his heart“. I want to be remembered as somebody who enjoyed what he did and with that enjoyment lifted others up, helping them along pathways of life.

Leaving behind a lot of money and assets doesn’t worry me particularly, but I will die satisfied knowing that there is a reasonable asset base that can be drawn upon by our children and their children.

In short, when I go, I want to be remembered as a person who left the world or the areas of his involvement enhanced and enriched by his presence.

• Talk about peace in Ukraine with the ‘Controller General Putin’ having no intention to do anything other than playing with words and Ukranian lives.
• Talk about what is happening in the Middle East mixed with peace and a return to some sense of normal life being a long time away from being realised.

Forecasting

• There is a possibility and some probability that Australia’s Prime Minister will be elevated within his hitch with the title of honorary bishop.

• There is a possibility and some probability that Australia will be left without any submarines in its maritime fleet because of their age and inoperability.

• There is a possibility and some probability that Australia’s vulnerability will be overcome by a military adversary before 2030.

Have you ever broken a bone?

Spinal curvature

Fortunately, to this stage of my life, I have managed to avoid any bone breaks. I have had a litany of medical issues over the years, but have managed to avoid broken bones.

I had what might well have been a near miss when I was about 10. My Dad was a wheat farmer and has just transitioned from bagged wheat to bulk harvesting.

He was moving out on the whole Dodge truck with a full week been on the back, the truck towing the auger that was used for ordering the wheat from the header into the bulk bin. I was in the bin which is full of wheat with my back to the cab of the truck, looking out over the auger.

Unbeknownst to me dad drove under a tree that had a hanging branch. It’s cleared the truck, but as the truck moved forward it caught me from behind. It came in contact with the back of my neck, tip me up and I fell out of the bin, more or less headfirst down onto the back of the tray of the truck and from there bounced into the hopper of the auger.

I was knocked out cold and did not come to for some distance.

But I got out of that was a terribly terribly stiff neck and a very sore back but fortunately nothing was broken. That may have been the cause of headaches I suffered for many years and I do have a curved spine in the upper regions of my back – which may or may not have been caused by the fall.

But broken bones – not to date

How do you balance work and home life?

A QUESTION OF BALANCE

Balancing home life and work life was always very important to me. I write in the past tense because I’ve been retired for 12 years. However, even in retirement, my postwork activities mustn’t take on a disproportionate significance.

In 1984, I developed a mission statement and this was during a leadership program. The top criteria reads as follows:

“To fulfil and be fulfilled in terms of family, work, and recreation.“ It was important to me to have a balance and I never would work – or tried not to – over and above the importance and significance of my family. This has certainly helped because as a family of five, we are very close together. Neither did I neglect work but it needed to be kept in its place. I am reminded of the fact as has always been that “nobody on their deathbed ever regretted not having spent more time at work.“ I got that from somewhere and it always stuck in my mind.

As a leader, I tried hard to convince staff that Balance in work-life terms was very very important. So to come I was recreation getting away from work and relaxing.

I always tried hard not to take Work home and was advantaged in that way because I never lived more than 3 km from my place of work. If it was necessary to go to work early or late then it was at my workplace that I operated. Taking Work home was something I avoided.

Balance in life is ever so important and priorities need to be carefully established. Once they have been set, they need to be maintained.

Getting the balance right was, is, and will continue to be important.

The resurrection of Donald Trump as American President has brought a new age of accountability and responsibility to the world. His decisive decision-making and the powerfully positive influence of his contributions are enlightened and far-sighted.

He is, without a doubt, the world’s most influential and respected political leader in 2025.

Will China eventually control East and South Asia and the Pacific region?

Response:

The question of whether China will eventually control East and South Asia and the Pacific region is complex and involves various geopolitical, economic, and social factors. Here are some points to consider:

1. Economic Influence

• Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): China has been investing heavily in infrastructure projects across Asia and beyond, strengthening economic ties with many countries.
• Trade Relationships: China is a major trading partner for many countries in these regions, which increases its influence.

2. Military Presence

• Expansion of Military Capabilities: China has been modernizing its military and increasing its presence in the South China Sea and other strategic areas, which has raised concerns among neighboring countries and the United States.
• Regional Security Alliances: Countries like India, Japan, and Australia are strengthening their security collaborations to counterbalance China’s military rise.

3. Diplomatic Efforts

• Soft Power: China is using cultural diplomacy and public engagement to improve its image and relations in the region.
• Participation in Regional Organizations: China is an active member of regional organizations such as ASEAN, which allows it to exert influence over regional policies.

4. Challenges and Resistance

• Nationalism: Countries in East and South Asia have strong national identities and may resist any attempts at control or dominance by China.
• Alliances Against Expansion: The United States and its allies are likely to continue supporting countermeasures against China’s influence.

5. Internal Challenges in China

• Economic issues, demographic changes, and potential political unrest could impact China’s ability to project power beyond its borders.

Conclusion

While China is poised to be a dominant force in East and South Asia and the Pacific region, the notion of “control” is subjective and will depend on numerous variables, including regional responses, international dynamics, and internal factors within China itself. Predicting such outcomes involves considerable uncertainty.

I continue to be very worried about the future of the world and the connivance of leaders whose thirst for power and domination is unquenchable.

Source : Fox TV

What sacrifices have you made in life?

SACRIFICING STUDY FOR WORK

As a teacher who became a principal, I desired to complete doctoral studies during my career.

I’ve done or completed several degrees at postgraduate and masters level and was Deadset keen to undertake a doctorate.

I was also a school principal and in that context became aware of the fact that a good number of my colleagues were taking time off work to complete study programs.

Thinking the matter through, I decided it would be far better for me from the viewpoint of my job and my work with children, staff and community not to leave and undertake study because it just seemed unfair to those with whom I was working.

So, I didn’t pursue doctoral studies and am not particularly sorry about that. What I had was a full-time professional life and what I did was to spend my time as a principal in my schools. I also worked around the school teaching children and getting to know them.

How happy I am in retirement to reflect upon my career. Part of that is to be glad that I took the course of action I did and prioritised my work over study.

As a corollary, I also sacrificed 106 weeks of accumulated sick leave when I retired. Some of my colleagues and others, approaching the end of their working lives, used to take time off for medical reasons and for basically cutting out The sick leave that was owed to them.

To my way of thinking that was not right and I was quite happy to sacrifice my 106 weeks of sick leave to stay the course in my school and work with students and community and of course staff.

Last evening, I was invested with an Order of Australia Medal for my services to Education. I felt ever so proud and humble in receiving that award and feel ever so blessed to have prioritised as I did – even though that meant the sacrifices I have described. Those sacrifices were nothing compared to the joy and satisfaction I got from my work.

Note: This came from 2023.

Historical awareness should be banked, not binned by incoming leaders.

Too often leaders fail to recognise the history of their organisations. Very rarely is that history taken into account when appointments are made and new leaders front the organisation.

A very few may take consider the history that has gone toward shaping the institutions to which they are appointed as leaders. However, I’d posit that leaders who consider what has gone before to develop organisations to their present positions, are in the minority. Most want to start all over again, meaning “in the beginning” always seems to apply.

This begs the question: “ Are leaders people who enhance, develop and enrich organisations or is the prime function of organisations to facilitate its leaders by building their personal curriculum vitae’s”.

Many leaders come into organisations and immediately said about “sweeping them clean“ with a new broom. It is a case of out with the old and in with the new. Only in that way it seems, can leaders make a mark on their organisation that will be attributed to them alone. That is testament to a selfish and narrowly focussed disposition.

I believe that leaders need to take account of organisational history, acknowledge what has gone before and build toward the future. Pulling everything down and endeavouring to start all over is unwise.

Donals Trump.

‘AGE AND ERA’ CHANGE

Our country is hindered by moving from the ‘age of responsibility’ to the ‘age of entitlement’.

Hands are held out for government largesse. Young and old people say, ‘Give me, give me’.

No longer is the country a place where people accept responsibility for their destiny and forge a path to the future based on effort and enterprise. We expect to be ‘kept’ and care not to contribute through work and effort to the development of this place.

Decreasing numbers of people show initiative, enterprise and resourcefulness. Increasing numbers are parasitic, living off benefits derived from the public purse.

THE DISMANTLING OF THE ‘WE’ GENERATION ‘

When growing up, I was taught by my parents that my life was ‘not for myself alone’.

I should be there to support and help others and be aware of social obligations. I needed to consider the ‘we’ when interacting with others.

Sadly, this wise historical approach has largely gone by the board in our modern times. Advertising and attitude ingrained into young and old is that life is about ‘I’. ‘I’ am all important, and nothing else matters. This attitude, if practised, tears at the heart of our social fabric, reducing it to tatters

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

DON’T STRANGLE LEADERS

Are you a leader or a follower?

TYPE ‘B’s’ STRANGLE TYPE ‘A’s’

I identify as a leader, undoubtedly a leader and a person with a Type A personality. As a leader, I have tried very hard to generate motivate with others to also look at being Type A persons.

Bear in mind I am now retired so my responses are now reflective rather than actual.

As a leader I can attest to the fact that there are followers – and there are followers! The latter is Type B personalities. Many are laid-back and easy-going and “she’ll be right mate” persons to the point of eternally frustrating and strangling Type A people like myself. You don’t know what to do with them you don’t know how to urge them forward and you think of them as being like unto stubborn mules.

I like being a leader and I like people who with me forge progressively onward and upward. But the ones that drag their feet, dig in their heels, and won’t budge for quids. These are people who are frustrating to the point of making me want to scream at them to get good and do the right thing.

It’s not always easy to be a leader.

Defacement and desecration of Captain Cook’s memorial in Melbourne.

Melbourne City Council will not restore but will dump this memorial, probably in a tip.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump

5. Naval oranges

4 Mandarines

3 Granny Smith apples

2 Pink Lady apples

1 Cherries.Cherries the best, the fruit that wows

Indigenous Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says ‘lots’ of Australians want her to be prime minister.

Speaking on Sky News after abandoning her bid to become deputy leader of the Liberal Party which saw Sussan Ley win the leadership ballot on Tuesday morning, Senator Price said she had broad support for the country’s top job.

Asked if she would consider moving from the Senate to the lower house so she could eventually run as Prime Minister, the NT Senator was not shy in her ambition, noting: “Well, there is that”.

“I know there’s a lot of Australians who’d love to see that,” she said.

It mirrors comments made by Nationals leader David Littleproud earlier on Tuesday, who said Senator Price’s career ambitions extended beyond the Coalition’s junior partner.

“The reality is that her ambitions exceed what the National Party can provide,” he told ABC’s AM.

“You can’t be the prime minister [by being in] the National Party, I accept that.”

I am sure advice from a very, very old man would not be welcomed, so I will say nothing.

But one thing:

Public opinion including approval and disapproval has a habit of waxing and waning. It is never constant.

COMMENTS POSTED

Coalition to pick up seats!

Winning 10 seats from Labor. In their dreams! The more likely scenario is how many seats they will LOSE to Labor!!

The Liberal side of politics in Australia is cactus

Nothing is going for the coalition—especially for the Liberal wing—than ongoing discord, fractious spilling and venting, and a continuation of the implosion that has been a hallmark of this sad cohort for a long time. What an absolute shambles this side of politics has become. 

Noel Pearson comes out with verbal firing

Sorry, Mr Pearson, but I disagree with your thoughts and exposition on this issue. I would have voted ‘yes’ to the voice had it not been for creating a management body to go with it. Our government should be a government for all, and the politicisation Mr Pearson and other prominent Aboriginal leaders have attached to this one group – of which they are members- to make them separate and special to the rest of us is wrong. Had the voice gotten up, there would have been truth in the Animal Farm (George Orwell) statement that “Everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others”.

Drefus and Husic both gone from the front bench 

Ex-Minister Husic, who did a good job in his portfolio, has every reason to skip the Caucus meeting and stay away. Not only has this man been a good and representative politician, but in his past generosity, he stood down from ministerial appointment to allow Kristina Keneally his spot. So the factions—and, in my opinion, Anthony Albanese—have given him the shove.

It is interesting that the only Jew in the previous cabinet – Mark Dreyfus – and ex-Ministwer Husic – the only practising Muslim on the front bench – have both been given the heave-ho. 

Donald Trump.

Photo: NT News

Donald Trump.

What’s one small improvement you can make in your life?

A SMALL IMPROVEMENT NEEDED

I get frightened of making telephone calls. Putting off calls that need to be made, causes matters needing attention to pile up.

Reluctance to make calls is a weakness of character I need to overcome. This will help me to achieve more, more efficiently.

This is a change I need to make

After being elected Prime Minister in 2022, Anthony Albanse set a frenetic pace in round the world journeys.

Now he has been re-elected he is off again.

Wednesday May 14 to Indonesia.

Friday May 6 to Vatican City.

Then ……. ?

But you can bet your bottom dollar, there will be plenty of tripping.

Take heed please government 

I am becoming very worried about aspects of CLP governance. Along with that is bewilderment as to why some actions are being taken and needs ignored. The Waterfront issue on salaries and employment has been dismissed. A key appointment to an essential position has been confirmed at the behest of the Attorney General who has appointed a person who did not even apply for the position. And now the revelation about animal cruelty is confirmed in the background of the person who was declared the most powerful person in the NT News 2024 lost of the most prominent Persons influencing the NT.

The government must avoid these glitches and shortcomings. Those on the ministry would do well to recall what happened to the Giles Government and more recently the Fyles/Lawler government.

Promises must be met and transparency – which is becoming lost – reinstated. If not, the Finnochario government may well be a one-term wonder.

ANALYSIS: Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says she is “buoyed” by a six per cent swing towards the CLP at the federal election, but a deeper look at what the voters in Darwin and Palmerston said with their ballots should cause the Country Liberal Party and its elected members grave concerns for their political futures.

While some would argue a federal election result should not be used to criticise the Territory Chief Minister, the party itself made it a referendum on Lia in Darwin and Palmerston and the results were damning.

Saturday’s federal election was held less than nine months after the CLP formed government through surprising gains in the Darwin northern suburbs, a result that it appears would not be replicated today if a Territory election were called.

We don’t need hordes of people

We already have far too many people living in Darwin. We need more people to come and crowd in, about as much as the sea needs water. Our suburbs are becoming run down and gritty. Increasing numbers of houses are very poorly maintained and yards are overgrown and unkempt.

Trees are planted in public spaces and along roadways and are never maintained. Council lets verges and footpaths go to rack and ruin. The council never acknowledges the efforts of those who maintain verges at the resident! ‘s expense.

And people in high places want to continue bringing in masses of people.

DO THOSE DECISION-MAKERS AND CONSULTANTS KNOW WHAT LIVING IN DARWIN AND PALMERSTON  IS LIKE?

I mean in places other than housing enclaves and the newer suburbs – which in the case of Lyons and Muirhead are already starting to look drab in places. The appearances of Johbsin and Zuccoli are hardly awe-inspiring either!

Give it a break! We need care and maintenance, appreciation and pride in what we already have, rather than wanting evermore people jam-packing into this place.

I am glad we came to the Northern Territory in 1975. The NT has been a great home. Our times spent at Numbulwar, Angurugu, Nhulunbuy and since 1987, Darwin have offered a different but unique lifestyle and career chances that would have been possible elsewhere in Australia.

In turn, I feel we have reciprocated through our contributions to the Territory.

That said, I cannot but despair at the direction in which our Territory seems – to a now-old Territorian – to be heading in the critical areas of life and living.  

Construction is happening at a frenetic pace, new homes are sprouting up everywhere and the place is spreading out and growing skywards.

I worry that maintenance, especially of our roads and general environmental appearance, seems to have very low priority. The scatter of rubbish and graffiti plastered over structures everywhere does not help.

When people commit offences, special consideration should not be given to penalties based on race and background. It should be a case of ‘one law for all.

My thoughts 

 TAX AVARICIOUSNESS

The taxation systems under which we labour are no blessing. I hate how small and medium-income earners are robbed by a system that allows lots of ‘outs’ for those who earn a whole lot more than the small-wage earner.

It is grossly unfair for the taxation systems to be so convoluted and unstraightforward.

Those who want to do things honestly are often left ignorant of legitimate deductions because the knowledge they need to effect those deductions is shrouded and unclear.  

On the other hand, magnates, huge companies, and CEOs who earn hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars can find their way around the system through the astuteness of tax accountants.

Tax rules running to thousands of pages impact those who earn far less – and who, through lack of knowledge and understanding, pay far more than the rich.

THE EXAMPLE OF POLITICIANS

The example set by politicians within our parliaments is often a little short of disgraceful. A shrug of the shoulders justifies question times, the abhorrent exhibition of manners and lack of courteousness.  Those involved seem to regard this period of parliamentary time as one when ‘anything goes’.  Sadly, this period draws most people into public galleries, including schoolchildren.  It is a small wonder that teachers and parents are challenged by children’s verbal and listening behaviour when they see this sad display of manners and courtesy so publicly manifest.

Politicians’ behaviour is a significant detractor from the image Australia seeks to portray. Their behaviour devalues and sells short our country, its states, and territories.

WE HAVE BECOME BALKANIZED

The personal touch and familiarity that used to exist between people have largely evaporated. We have become remote, focused on work, and withdrawn. Verbal exchange has largely been replaced by emailing and other more impersonal forms of dialogue.

There are distinct threats to personal safety, meaning that guard dogs, fences, security systems, locked gates, and blacked-out fences have reinforced this Balkanisation to the extent of conferring a fortress mentality upon us all. We care less about others and share less. The sweetness of the Australian personality has soured.

Written when I retired in January 2012

And revisiting this piece of writing thirteen years after it was written, he still wonders.

Once upon a time, a Northern Territory principal reflected on what was (2012), what has been (1970) and what had happened between times. A little voice in his head told him to think as much as possible about “balance”, “pros” and “cons”, “challenge”, and “celebration”. Determined to move toward even-handedness, he began to reflect on the four decades of his educational experience.

He thought about the waves of systemic leadership that had rolled over the system. There was the New Guinea expatriate influence followed at intervals by domination from other States, Territories and arrivals from overseas destinations. More recently (2009), Queensland educators succeeded Western Australian educators as system leaders. The Northern Territory was undoubtedly influenced by educators from elsewhere.

He thought about Jim Eedle, the Northern Territory’s first Secretary for Education after the NT Government took responsibility for education. Eedle said (Katherine, March 1979) that “schools are for children” and  “structure should support function.” He thought about the structure that had now assumed skyscraper proportions with the children somewhat in shadow.

He thought about the fact that many children were children who seemed to lack the first-hand care and nurture a parent should offer. It seemed that with the passing of years, this was less forthcoming. Schools were increasingly asked (indeed required) to take on primary matters of children’s upbringing. He wondered and was sad that ‘loco parentis’ was now a mainstream function. 

He worried that with the passing of years, a preponderance of weighty issues had grown into school curriculum requirements. Lots have been added, and little dropped. He wondered how teachers could cope and was concerned the children would be overburdened and staff become disillusioned. The educational pathway seemed increasingly cluttered and overgrown.

He was concerned that written reports were no longer short, concise, explicit and individualised. Instead, they were long on hyperbole, being stereotyped, jargon-riddled statements. They had become increasingly wordy but, essentially, said less and less. Notwithstanding the enormous amount of teacher effort devoted to their preparation, he felt they said it meant little to parents.

He worried that, over time, children had become more self-centred. “I” and “my” were pronouns and possessives underpinning their belief and value systems. He yearned for those times past when it seemed children were well-mannered and cared for others. “Yes, please”, “thank you”, “excuse me”, and “may I” were fast disappearing epithets. That, he felt, underpinned a loss of character.

He wondered where safety and security for children had gone. In the 1970s and 1980s, children could play outdoors in a safe, secure environment. Come 2012, parents no longer felt the children were safe. Threats against young people were handled from cyberspace to the street. There was a feeling that children needed to be wrapped and cosseted – but not by parents. As primary caregivers, they were too busy at work to offer personal nurture.’ Minding’ at Outside School Hours Care centres was the in thing.

He wondered whether, in an enlightened age, children feel ‘used’ when their schooling futures were discussed in a way that likened them to pawns on a chessboard. He wondered whether children appreciated being ‘objects’ for limited academic testing (Four May Days each year). Did they feel that overall and holistic educational needs were considered necessary by Federal Politicians setting State and Territory educational agendas?

He wondered about modern communications. Were the children of the 1970s not better speakers and listeners because face-to-face communication was alive and practised? ‘Facebook’, ‘Twitter’, texting and the new ICT tools of the twenty-first century reduced the need to gain and have confidence in speech and speaking (including listening). He was concerned that literacy skills were going out the door. What would happen to thinking?

He wondered about the wisdom of straying too far from the scriptural adage, “Spare the rod and spoil the child”. While responses to poor behaviour ought not to be barbaric, was not accommodation in 2012 of what was unacceptable in 1970 simply encouraging children and young people to push the envelope? Were not the elders abrogating their upbringing responsibilities and being ostrich-like?

He was sad that keys, security, guard dogs, deadlocks and latches, CCTV cameras, high fences, barbed wire, crim safe mesh, sensor security systems and floodlights had become the installation order. It seemed that in 1970, nights were for sleeping. Forty years later, nocturnal malevolence seemed to prevail. He wondered where peaceful nighttime hours had gone.

He wondered about gender equality. In the 1970s, children deferred to adults on public transport when entering doors and joining queues. Similarly, men deferred to ladies, the young to the old.

No more!   He wondered why it was that in 2012, chivalry was dead!

He was concerned about ‘pace’. In the 1970s, things moved more slowly. There seemed to be less to do, yet crucial tasks were completed. There was a simple serenity about the way things were done. Time off work WAS time off work.

He pondered tranquillity. The separation of priorities had enhanced his inner peace. Family, work and recreation had occupied degrees of importance in that order. Come 2012, the imperative of ‘work, work and work until you drop’ had pushed family and recreational pursuits onto the back burner. Was that not poor prioritisation? 

Did the ‘new way’ promote happiness and inner peace?

He wondered about the years ahead. As a young educator in 1970, he had looked to the future with confidence and rosy anticipation.  Come 2012, and looking back, he wondered why system realities had sullied his vision.  

And in 2025 the separation of what was and what is in terms of priorities and values seems more lopsided than ever.

Revised 17 April 2024

Revised again May 2025

• Cyclone Tracy memorial at East Point.
• Bundilla beach monument to Tracy.
• The old boatyard on Ludmilla Creek.
• The upgrades at Buffalo Creek including its popularity.
• Lake Alexandra. 
• East Point Military Museum with some new displays.
• The old museum has changing features, including Cyclone Tracy.
• Barefoot Bowls Club.
• Changes and developments around the Darwin High Schools.
• All the artwork and murals  on the CBD buildings.
• Changes and upgrades arounbd the Nightcliff foreshore.
• Dripstone Cliffs and down. to the Rapid Creek bridge.
• Naked Beach Road.
• Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road overpass.
• Continuing development in the business precinct toward port.
• Your tanks Brett. Still trhere but still empty.
• The ship lift facility is under construction.
• The Waterfront Precinct in Darwin – mushroom development.
• Darwin Convention Centre.
• Artificial lake adjacent to concention centre.
• Changes at Stokes Hill Wharf – with a lot of cruise ships coming in at Fort Hill Wharf at the moment.
• Flying Doctor display on the wharf.
• The New Larrakeyah facility is being built on LHS, on the way to the wharf—where Indo-Pacific Marine used to be.
• Darwin Harbour cruises.
• Cullen Bay has some quite significant changes. 
• The new CDU campus in Darwin.
• The new Aboriginal Arts/Culture centre being built on Smith Street.
• The changed streetscapes in the CBD.
• The Cavanagh Street arch.
• The huge growth at Coolalinga.
• The revamped Berry Springs Nature Park.
• All the schools in Darwin now just about fenced in like never before.
• Tour of Parfliament House.
• Botanic Gardens with some changes.
• The Esplanade more or less the same as always.
• Doctor’s Gully and rock climbing place.
• If you like high-rise skylines and streetscapes, new high-rise buildings are going up everywhere. 
• Continuing changes are going on at the Marrara Sporting Complex.
• Changes and upgrades at the Darwin Hospital.
• Developments at the CDU Casuarina Campus including student accomodaftion on the north side.
• Changes at Casuarina Shopping Centre.

• We had a perfectly good “as new” Queen mattress which is only a few years old.
• The one drawback for us was the mattress being ultra heavy and, therefore, hard to make when changing sheets. It took an inordinate amount of heaving and lifting for me to be able to put a clean fitted sheet omn the mattress.
• Added to the dilemma was that the mattress was somehow ‘odd’ regarding compatibility with sheets. In the end, the bottom sheep gave out.
• We decided to replace this mattress with a new one, with equal comfort but better by far regarding weight and the ease with which sheets could be fitted.
• The mattress we were replacing was offered to the Salvation Army. Not interested.
• The mattress was then offered to the Red Cross. The manager with whom I spoke enlightened me. No matter what the condition of the mattress, government regulations prevented it from being accepted as a donation and then resold to someone needing a mattress.
• I was told this regulation was in place to avoid the transfer of bacteria, viruses, and other nasty things that might be embedded in the mattress. The fact that the mattress was covered with a thick, absorbent protector did not matter.
• We had to pay an additional $124.00 for this mattress to be taken by the deliverer of the new mattress, to the Shoal Bay dump to be dumped as rubbish.
• So, thanks to government regulations, a perfectly good mattress in almost 100% new condition – as the attached photos show – had to be tossed out.
• Now, THAT is progressive government health policy for us all to consider.

.

Donald Trump

4. WE HAVE BECOME BALKANIZED

The personal touch and familiarity that used to exist between people have largely evaporated. We have become remote, focused on work, and withdrawn. Verbal exchange has largely been replaced by emailing and other more impersonal forms of dialogue.

There are distinct threats to personal safety, meaning that guard dogs, fences, security systems, locked gates, and blacked-out fences have reinforced this Balkanisation to the extent of conferring a fortress mentality upon us all. We care less about others and share less. The sweetness of the Australian personality has soured.

3. THE SILENT MAJORITY ‘WIMP OUT’

Too often, our agenda is set by a vigorous and raucous minority who make sufficient noise to convince authorities that they speak for far more people than is the case. The majority are ‘middle of the road’ people who are not given to responding—instead, they remain silent and apathetic. So, interest groups influence agendas in an unfortunate manner because authorities react to their suggestions to alleviate their vociferousness.

Allowing these myriad splinter groups to influence our country unduly is a factor ripping away at the blessings this country should offer.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump’s name.

The adventures of Donald Trump

• There is a possibility and strong probability that President Trump will bestow The Presidential Medal of Freedom on Pope Leo XIV.

• There is a possibility and indeed a probability that Donald Trump might move toward Vatican City becoming the 52nd American State.

• There is a possibility but almost no probability that Donald Trump will step away from his ambition to buy Greenland from the Government of Denmark.

Donald Trump.

Live performances in Darwin are daily events.

An upside of these daily performances is that they are usually free. You don’t have to pay to attend as spectators. It is important to keep out of the way of the actors and give them plenty of room to move.

Anyone coming to Darwin at any time of the year will have the opportunity to see these live performances for themselves.

There are morning and afternoon and evening and night and late night sessions. It’s any time in the day or night and you won’t have to wait for too long to see a performance.

Viewing opportunities are 24 seven.

Contemporary Topics

• Tyre scouring of road
• Tree maintenance
• The town with no papers
• Katherine and its paper prevail.
• The city with 4 and 8 parking meters.
• The Yarkob Roads of Darwin
• Workplace humour is dead in the water.
• Living on borrowed time.
• Humour, mirth and camaraderie have gone from the workplace. 
• Ukraine is under command from USA ‘headquarters’.
• Security cameras and spy devices.
• Historical and comparative topics – a history about which very few have any idea

• Telecommunications
• Postal changes 
• Study methods then and now
• Toilets then and now
• Phone contact then and now. 
• Newspaper writing. Getting the stories and transmitting them for publication.

Advantage Albanese

It is the visuals that count for so much. How a person looks reflects the laconic, often reflexive nature of past Australia and the laid-back image of this country in past decades—all this adds significantly to or detracts from the visual appeal of key candidates to voters. For Anthony Albanese, that is a significant advantage in the prime ministership race.

Albanese and his own seat

This story about preference trading and its implications, including untrue statements and a bland, almost laconic ‘ response by the Prime Minister, is beyond my endurance. There are politics and morality, and this situation about his own seat and preference management disgusts me to the depths of my soul.

Peta Credlin the accurate presenter

Peta Credlin hits the nail right on the head with her take on what is happening on the political front—in this and past columns. How I wish she was the Coalition’s campaign manager for her innate ability to weed out rubbish, fallacious defences, and counter-claims. She brings a totally thorough and researched approach to her columns and her programs on Sky. As she points out with confirming evidence, this country is in one hell of a mess.

America under Trump

America, under Trump’s management, is getting worse. Trump’s influence on the world has quickly transitioned from what might have been positive to a litany of growing negatives. I am dismayed and disgusted at his stance on the Russian/Ukraine conflict. 

Curtains for the coalition

Too little, too late on the detail, Mr. Dutton. You held back on key policy areas for too long, and sadly, it’s still a week from May 3. The election might as well be called now, for it is done and dusted for the coalition. 

For the want of campign mamnagement … 

Sadly, I believe that the election is over, bar the shouting. Labor will romp it in, and I feel from watching and listening, with a majority government. If only Peta Credlin had been the Coalition campaign manager, the outcome would have been entirely different.

Welcome to country over and over and over again.

It seems like we can never have too much of a welcome to the country. I went to a function in the NT late last year with my Granddaughter, who was short-listed for a short story award.  We sat and endured a 15 – 20-minute welcome to the country offered by a person who said this was the fourth welcome to the country she had done for the day and said she loved doing welcomes to countries. I do not imagine they were offered without pecuniary emolument.  That night, everyone who stood up during the program had an acknowledgement/welcome to the country. I left feeling thoroughly saturated by this propensity. 

Welcome to country

I know and understand what welcome to country is all about – and along with that, the compulsory acknowledgements that fall from the lips of every presenter at conferences, meetings, sports venues and the rest. It means that people like me have to be in a permanently supplicatory position regarding those First into the Nation. Well, sorry, that does not cut it with me.

The outfall of Australia’s booming population

Australia is becoming top-heavy with people and very much under the pump regarding organisations and infrastructure needed to support these vast numbers. Population pressures are contributing to a lack of housing, a lack of employment opportunities and a lack of satisfaction with life. People’s pressure contributes to parents having no time to bring their children up in a proper family context, making far too many children feel detached from the vital family aspect that was so much a part of life in the past times. At one end of the age spectrum, there are growing numbers of essentially unloved – and unwanted – children beyond the brief bubble of parenthood bliss. On the other hand, there are increasing numbers of aged persons for whom life has become a day-by-day challenge. Many of these, I believe – as a 79-year-old man myself and seeing what is going on in the aged care domain – cannot wait until blessedly relieved of life by their passing.

Disgusting organisational neglect of needy Aboriginal children

This story confirms to me that many organisations, both indigenous and non-indigenous, are contributing in a significant way to the continuing disasters confronting First Nations people. Sadly, children are too often on the receiving end of these misguided and misdirected efforts.

The end of the  line for the coalition

I am a keen political follower and have been voting in elections since 1967. Sadly, I believe this election is over, except for the timeline requirements. Labour has run and won it, with the most seats in the House of Representatives. There have been far too many coalition failures, and the party/ies are far from united. This has not been the case for the Albanese Labor campaign, where unification was a strong element.

“United they stand – divided they fall”.

Trump is cooking Ukraine

Donald Trump is looking to bail out on all these issues. He has got this all so wrong and is very frightened of Vladimir Putin. Puting negotiates by saying ‘jump’, and Trump says ‘how high’.  Putin’s tactics make Trump look like a vassal, not a negotiator with genuine concerns for Ukraine’s future.

The goodness of Clive Palmer

I am sad that Mr Palmer could not have everything swing his way when creating and promoting his TOP party. Given all he has contributed to Australia socially and economically, he deserved better fortune to come his way. He is stout, honest and resolute in his beliefs, unshakable in his support for our country and willing to spend a massive amount of money to demonstrate his commitment and loyalty to this country. Thousands of people can thank him for how he has enhanced their prosperity through sharing his wealth.

God help us all if Labor wins on May 3

If Labor wins government—and the party is a shoo-in at this campaign stage and with early voting starting today—we in Australia will be facing three terrible years of social regression and economic decline.  At the age of 79, I can say that this country has never been in a worse and more fragile situation than right now.

Gout Gout and the Stawell Gift

Gout Gout, without a doubt, is the fastest runner in the world. The Stawell Gift is a contrived race and for a man with the ethics and principles of Gout Gout, but a mere blip and temporary aberration to what will be an auspicious career. 

Mr Palmer the good one

I am sad that Mr Palmer could not have everything swing his way when creating and promoting his TOP party. Given all he has contributed to Australia socially and economically, he deserved better fortune to come his way. He is stout, honest and resolute in his beliefs, unshakable in his support for our country and willing to spend a massive amount of money to demonstrate his commitment and loyalty to this country. Thousands of people can thank him for how he has enhanced their prosperity through sharing his wealth.  Not approved

Three more years of Albanese – please NO!

They called John Howard ‘The Hollow Man”. Not so!  He was one of our very best Prime Ministers. I think of Anthony Albanese as ‘The Shallow Man’ – all talk, prevarication and very little substance. I am fearful of him and his government getting another three years. If that happens, Australia will be beyond economic and social

Labor preferences the Greens

How I wish every Labor incumbent who has agreed to and endorsed the Greens candidate as their second preference would lose their seat in the upcoming election. If the new government is based on these two parties, it will be one of discord and mayhem.

Albo the Wonderful

Anthony Albanese is a man treasured and revered by China and a PM who is the best leader we have had for at least 30 years. President Xi and I have one thing in common: We are both awestruck by the quality of his leadership. 

Medicare vision not a reality from Albanese

Of course, it won’t happen. This whole thrust is based on propaganda and mirage. It will vanish like a passing whirlwind immediately after the election.

Russia and China to carve up  Australia

Futuristically, the division of Australia among the powerbrokers could be easy—WA, SA, NT, and Tasmania for Russia, Qld, NSW, and Vic to China. China has a claim on Victoria because of past Premier Daniel Andrews (AC) going the Belt and Road Initiative years ago. In the years to come, the alternative of Russia and China fighting over Australia’s spoils is untenable.

The Coalition is for the high jump

Sadly, the Coalition’s hopes of winning the Federal Election have vaporised. I feel that Labor will gain seats, the minor parties will increase their representation and influence, and Labor will gain seats and secure an absolute majority in the new parliament. The divisions and splits within coalition structures at the state level are their undoing.   

Teals  – no way!

I hope ALL the Teals lose their seats in the upcoming election. The Teals splinter the parliament and in no way contribute in a positive and unifying manner. 

WA development is being upended by negotiating impediments

This is another step in a farcical, fiasco-like situation stifling progress in WA and Australia. I would love to be in charge of these issues for half a day and reckon I could sort the situation reasonably and fairly without begging, pleading, promises, or supplication.

America persuades preservation of Iran’s military might

In terms of the future of the world, I wish that Israel had gone ahead and taken Iran down from the pinnacle of the nuclear power it is fast approaching.  This is another example of America wanting to preserve whatever the shaky status quo might offer. Iran will continue to grow and go from strength to strength in military terms.  Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis and the rest of these horrible terror groups are an extension of Iran. For America to approve of Israel continuing to amputate tentacles while leaving the head whole was and is short-sighted. The world will never move on while Iran is allowed to flourish.

ANOTHER mass American shooting

More and more, America is a screwed-up and desperate country. If I were to win a trip to the USA, I would give it away, for the alternative would be to place my life in the hands of unpredictable fate.

Jeremy Powell and Donald Trump’s interaction

At least Mr Powell has his head screwed on and contains a rational and predictable focus on issues.  If he is ousted, America will continue to sink into its self-made messy malaise of uncertainty and the suspicion of the country now so apparent in the eyes of the world.

The government has its head in the sand over Russia

The Albanese Government is playing dumb on Russia’s plans because it does not want the Australian electorate spooked until the election is over. The government knows that Australian Defence is well underdone and that we would be demolished if any antagonistic country turned on us. Our defence system is in a terrible state.

Donald Trump.

This is typical Darwin 2025!

Feel like smashing windows for the fun of it! Why not!! You can do that with impunity and there will be little if any consequence for you!

And why not? Enjoy a destructive life!

Go on, express yourself!!

“ Do betting agencies take bets on who the next Pope will be?

Response:

Yes, some betting agencies do take bets on who the next Pope will be, although the legality and popularity of such bets can vary by location. Here are a few insights:

1. Gambling Trends: Betting on papal succession has gained popularity, especially with online gambling platforms offering odds for potential candidates. Fast Company
2. Bookmakers’ Odds: As the papal conclave approaches, bookmakers often release odds on various candidates for the papacy, allowing punters to place bets. LBC
3. Tradition: This form of gambling has been a tradition that goes back quite some time, particularly around significant events such as the death of a Pope. Fox 56 News
4. Legal Aspects: However, the legality of betting on papal elections can be complicated and is often not legal in many jurisdictions, despite the existence of online betting options. 10News

If you’re interested in more details on the current odds or specific betting agencies, feel free to ask!

I have never placed a bet on anything in my life.

The occasional lottery ticket but none for the past four years.

Is there any group who regard Donald Trump as a god?

Response:

Yes, some groups and individuals have been known to express extreme admiration for Donald Trump, at times likening him to a messianic or divine figure. This is particularly evident among certain segments of his supporter base, including some evangelical Christians and members of far-right political groups. They often view him as a leader chosen to fulfill a specific purpose, portraying him in a light that elevates him above regular political figures.

These views can manifest in various ways, such as through fervent rallies, social media posts, and public declarations of devotion, sometimes using religious or fantastical language to describe their support. However, these beliefs are not representative of the majority of his supporters and are often caricatured in media coverage.

I have wondered.

Now I know.

A ONE-DAY JOB – MAKE PARENTS ACCOUNTABLE

I am taking into account where I live, the huge and unrelenting spike in crime in the Northern Territory, and the fact that most crime or much of it anyway is caused by young people from 16 years and downward who steal vehicles, ram raid, use knives, and act in an aberrant and delinquent way.

Taking into account the fact that governments and authorities are happy to excuse this behaviour – or appear to be happy because consequences are trivialised and the outcomes of crimes magnified to victims, influence what I would like to do for one day.

For one day I would like to be the Director of Family Priorities. During this day I would require that all parents of all children under the age of 17 accept responsibility for what their offspring are up to, including responsibility for fixing damage and destruction that that behaviour is wreaking on the community.

Part of my role would be to require parents to take responsibility for the upset being caused in the community by their children and to the point where accountability sees them being punished for the neglect of their children.

An element would be the banning for a lifetime of the rights of people who have these neglected children, to purchase or consume alcohol because that changes their priorities away from the children and toward the social upheaval that their offspring are causing.

Far too many parents are happy to prioritise alcohol over expenditure on food and accessories of life for their children. So the third change would be the loading of their support benefits onto a basics card. It could only be used to purchase the necessities of life.

What a job for the day.

Donald Trump.

A LEADER MOST ADMIRED

A leader most admired,
That is our own AA,
He leads Australia brilliantly,
Each and every day,
When things are looking really grim,
And uncertainties seem to loom,
His smile and reassurance,
Will dissipate the gloom.

Like the Israelites of old,
Who wandered for 40 years,
Our PM is like Moses,
And expunges all our fears.

AA is our guiding light,
Who shows us a better way,
With reassuring confidence,
He highlights every day,
With futuristic promises,
Of what will come to hand
When after years of hard knocks,
He transforms ‘down under’,
Makes this ‘the promised land’.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Those from Donald Trump.

Labor crucified the coalition in a thumping election win.

I am 79.

I will need to live past 100 if I am again to see the coalition governing Australia.

P

Donald Trump.

• Take one truck with dog and trailer.
• The trailer is loaded with pieces of small, sharp edged metal pieces about 2 or 3 centimetres in length.
• It is peak hour time and the highway near Gosford is thick with traffic.
• The rear door of the trailer shakes open,
• The metal pieces start leaking from the trailer onto the highway.
• Unaware mororista following the truck keep driving – until their tyres are severely punctured or shredded.
• Chaos on the highway ensued with tyre damage to hundreds of vehicles.
• Tyre shops will have a bonanza.
• The rogue truck will in large part evoke a headache for insurers.

May 3, 2025

Decimation

Of a coalition

That specislises in members

Tearing each other apart

Self immolation

Destroys

And it has!

Those Liberals

Sold out for a mediocre agenda

Seen by the vastakority

Of voters

As a reason to assign this cohort

To what may become

The historical rubbish bin

Of mediocracy

And irrelevance.

Sometimes

There is a point of no return,

Of no coming back!

Has the end been reached?

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’.

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

About how much does the manufacture of a coreflute cost?

Response:

The cost of manufacturing coreflute signs in Australia can vary widely based on several factors, including size, design complexity, quantity, and the printing company. However, here are some general estimates:

1. Small Signs (e.g., 600mm x 900mm): Approximately AUD 20 to AUD 50 per sign, depending on factors like color and design.
2. Medium Signs (e.g., 900mm x 1200mm): Typically range from AUD 40 to AUD 100.
3. Large Signs (e.g., 1200mm x 2400mm): These can cost between AUD 80 and AUD 200 or more.
4. Bulk Orders: Ordering in larger quantities (e.g., 50 or 100 signs) usually results in lower per-unit costs due to economies of scale.

Additional costs to consider may include design fees if professional graphic design services are used, shipping, and installation if necessary. It’s advisable for candidates or parties to obtain quotes from several manufacturers for the best pricing.

Wow!

They are not cheap.

Response:

In Australia, coreflute signs, commonly used during elections, are typically manufactured by specialized sign-making companies and printers. Some of the key manufacturers include:

1. Local Sign Makers: Many local businesses specialize in printing and creating custom signage, including electoral coreflutes, to cater to individual candidates or parties.
2. National Signage Companies: Larger companies operate nationwide and offer a range of signage solutions, including coreflutes. They often have the capacity to produce large volumes quickly.
3. Online Print Services: Various online platforms provide printing services for coreflute signs, allowing candidates to easily order signs with custom designs.
4. Promotional Product Companies: Companies that specialize in promotional products often produce coreflute signage as part of their offerings.

Candidates or parties typically select manufacturers based on factors like price, quality, turnaround time, and the ability to handle specific design requirements.

What happens to all the coreflutes after elections?

Response:

After elections, coreflute signs and other campaign materials typically undergo several processes:

1. Removal: Campaign teams are usually responsible for removing their signage after the election. This helps clear the area and maintain visual appeal.
2. Recycling: Many coreflute signs are made from recyclable materials, so they may be sent to recycling facilities. It’s essential for campaigns to dispose of materials responsibly to reduce environmental impact.
3. Storage for Future Use: Some political parties or candidates might store their coreflute signs for future campaigns, especially if the design and messaging remain relevant.
4. Disposal: If the signs are damaged or no longer usable, they may end up in landfills. Responsible campaigns will try to minimize this by recycling whenever possible.
5. Community Projects: In some cases, leftover signage can be repurposed for community projects, art installations, or awareness campaigns, showcasing an innovative approach to recycling campaign materials.

These practices can vary significantly depending on local regulations and the policies of the campaigning organizations.

Great news.

Poor Old Henry

May 3, 2025

Passed

Poor Old Henry

Source: The Weekend Australian online.

In the past, Anthony Albanese has recognised the creation of the state of Israel. But not this year – possibly because of sensitivities that might have been invoked in the reaction of non-Jewish voters in key Labor seats.

Reminds me a little of Esau selling his birthright in biblical times.

Poor Old Henry.

Pic: The Australian online.

Donald Trump.

I SEE LUKE

• In the pre-dawn of each day.
• Under the glare of the midday sun.
• In the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.
• Under the orange glow of a brilliant sunset.
• Under the illumination of street lighting.
• In the flashing neon of traffic lights.
• Under trees.
• Standing lonely along dozens of major and minor roads.
• Near and under bridges.
• On every street corner.
• On almost all road intersections.
• On the perimeter walls surrounding residences.
• 0n private and public fences.
• At shopping precinct entrances.
• On the opposite side of the road coming out of shopping centre carparks.
• Tall and upright. 
• Dizzily leading forward or back.
• Face down.
• Flat on his back.
• On hillocks and mounds.
• Camouflaged in the long grass.
• On the edge of waterways.
• In swamps.
• On median strips.
• Alone and by himself 
• In the company of other core fluted candidates. 
• I see him here – opposite our house.
• I see him there – wherever I drive, walk, or go.
• I am seeing Luke just everywhere.
• On TV.
• In the newspaper.
• Not online because  I do not use social media.
• At the Cazaly Club.
• Along Tiger Brennan Drive.
• Adjacent to potholes and inundations in some of our suburban roads.
• And in multiple places all over Darwin and Palmerston.
• Most importantly, opposite our home.

Luke 24/7 until dawn on May 4 2025.

He writes

“My evening “workload” is minuscule compared to what I see our Local, State and Federal Politicians doing. I see them at so many events and often see them running between two or three events every evening. I also see them at so many events during the weekends. This Saturday we have the Federal Election. I want to thank all those standing for putting themselves forward to represent us and to take on the arduous job of being a politician.”

Maybe we should appreciate politicans more than we do!

Poor Old Henry

Can you write me 200 words about why Anthony Albanese should not be re-elected Prime Minister including an appropriate title and emphasise the negatives of his leadership to date.

Reply:

Why Anthony Albanese Should Not Be Re-Elected as Prime Minister

Anthony Albanese’s tenure as Prime Minister has been marked by several noteworthy shortcomings that raise doubts about his suitability for re-election. First and foremost, his government’s handling of economic issues has been lackluster, with rising inflation and cost-of-living pressures affecting everyday Australians. Many citizens feel that Albanese has failed to effectively address these critical challenges, leaving families struggling to make ends meet.

Moreover, Albanese’s commitment to climate change policies has been inconsistent. While he promised ambitious goals, critics argue that his government has not taken the decisive action necessary to transition Australia to a sustainable future. This lack of urgency undermines the trust of voters who prioritize environmental issues.

Additionally, Albanese’s foreign policy approach has been reactive rather than proactive, often trailing behind other nations in pivotal international discussions. This oversight could jeopardize Australia’s standing on the global stage.

Finally, his leadership style has been criticized as indecisive, with many Australians feeling that he has not provided clear guidance or vision during his time in office. These factors collectively underscore why re-electing Anthony Albanese may not be in the best interest of Australia’s future.

I think his persona, charm and grace have overrides these things in the minds of voters.

Is it harder or easier for bald men to be elected to key political positions?

AI responded:

The electability of bald men to key political positions can be influenced by various factors, including societal perceptions, cultural norms, and individual biases. Here are some points to consider regarding whether it might be harder or easier for bald men in politics:

Potential Advantages

1. Perceived Authority: Some studies suggest that baldness may be associated with traits like dominance and authority, potentially making bald candidates appear more confident and strong.
2. Distinctiveness: A bald head can make a candidate memorable, helping them stand out in a crowded field of candidates.
3. Simplicity: Some voters may appreciate the simplicity of a bald appearance, associating it with straightforwardness and sincerity.

Potential Disadvantages

1. Stereotypes: In some cultures, baldness might be associated with aging or weakness, which could negatively impact perceptions of a candidate’s vitality or capability.
2. Media Representation: The portrayal of bald men in media can shape public perceptions, and if they’re often depicted in negative roles, it may affect their electability.
3. Voter Bias: Personal biases against baldness, though irrational, can exist among voters, potentially influencing their decisions in a subconscious manner.

Conclusion

Overall, whether being bald is an advantage or a disadvantage in politics can depend heavily on the context and the specific demographics of the voter base. In some cases, baldness could enhance a candidate’s image, while in others, it may present challenges. Social attitudes towards appearance generally evolve, and individual candidates often overcome stereotypes through their personal charisma, policies, and public speaking abilities.

I think the hair might have it this time around.

Please write me 200 words of adoration celebrating Anthony Albanese as the very best choice there could be for Australia’s prime ministership. Please write it under an adoring title.

Response:

A Beacon of Hope: Celebrating Anthony Albanese

In a landscape often shadowed by political turmoil, Anthony Albanese shines as a luminary of integrity, vision, and unwavering commitment to the Australian people. His compassionate leadership reflects a deep understanding of the challenges faced by everyday Australians, making him the ultimate choice for prime minister. With a heart attuned to the needs of the vulnerable, Albanese champions social justice, advocating for policies that uplift all sectors of society, particularly those marginalized.

His progressive vision for Australia encourages innovation and sustainability, paving the way for a greener economy while prioritizing essential services like healthcare and education. Albanese’s remarkable ability to unite diverse voices demonstrates his commitment to inclusivity and collaboration, forging a path towards a brighter, more equitable future.

With resilience and determination, he has navigated through adversity, earning respect and admiration across the nation. Australian citizens can trust in Albanese’s capacity to lead with transparency and accountability, fostering confidence in government while instilling hope in the hearts of many.

In these transformative times, Anthony Albanese stands as the very best choice for Australia’s prime ministership, embodying the change that resonates with the aspirations of a united, prosperous nation. His leadership promises a better tomorrow for all.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Underlying truths of political motivation

• There is a possibility and a 100% probability that if politicans standing for election were to be disendorsed fir truth stretching and downright lies, there would be no election because there would be no political aspirants who would qualify to be elected.
• There is a possibility and a very strong probability that if re-elected, the Albanese Givernment will provide over three years of social and economic desperation in Australia.
• There is a possibility and overwhelming probability that the majority of elected politicians care about ‘me first’ rather than ‘voters and country—us—first’.

It is ominous,

A creeping black shadow of catastrophe,

Of impending doom,

That the Australian voters should be so crass,

So unthinkingly short sighted,

As to return the Labor Government,

For another three years.

This first day of May

Is tinged with apprehension ,

And the knowledge that within two days,

Or three,

Our country will self-elect a regime,

Hell bent on returning this place

To an almost neanderthal existence.

Those who decry our mining,

Our manufacturing,

Our extraction and sale of resources,

Who envy the initiative

Of those doing well,

Will clap their hands in glee,

As our country collapses.

And becomes a ‘minor’ on the world stage.

Anti coal,

Anti gas,

Anti uranium and nuclear power,

Anti livestock export,

Anti salmon farming,

Anti agicultural land preservation,

Anti Christmas, Easter, Australia Day, Anzac Day, and so much more.

Once a magestic country,

Australia,

Is now a sad joke.

I am a retired old man – a very, very old man.

My time is past and all I can do is to look back on what was, feel concerned about what is, and consider the future with ever growing apprehension and fear.

So often

So very often

Melancholy invades my thinking

Eating insidiously into my soul 

Making me feel so empty

Isolated and spiritual destitution.

The blue sky

The sun shining through clouds

Are ever more

Isolated and briefer 

Than once was the occasion

Penumbric realities vicelike grip Is my master. 

The vibrancy of life

That was once mine

Has fled into the nether regions

Of Henry’s history

The tautness of life has slackened

Becoming a faded replica

Of what was once 

A fulsome life.

The midday of life

Has slipped to the west

The lengthening shadows 

The gathering darkness

Is coming ever closer 

To extinguish my mortality.

Donald Trump.

The Northern Territory Voluntary Euthanasia Bill of 1997 was one of the most enlightened and visionary pieces of legislation ever passed by our Assembly. It’s overturning in the Federal Parliament by the Kevin Andrews/Tony Bourke  bill was both callous and cruelly indifferent.  For the federal parliament to pass this bill of recission was a  denial of Territory rights.

Over time a significant number of people with terminal illnesses have been robbed of natural justice. Many have been forced to endure untoward suffering in their final weeks and months of life.

Interestingly, Victoria and now New South Wales are moving in the direction of their own state legislation that embraces euthanasia.

It is to be hoped that the David Littlejohn initiative to allow the Territory to re-engage on the issue is successful. Should that be the case, I would hope that a bill encompassing euthanasia would be re-introduced into the Northern Territory parliament and passed. That would reinstate an entitlement savagely stripped away by Canberra 21 years ago

It is still a right to still be restored

With each passing day, I feel more and more that war in our region is just over the horizon. The lead editorial in “The Australian” (Xi puts regional peace in Xi dire straits over Taiwan” 8/8/22) points toward a catastrophic situation happening within the next 18 months.  “It is almost certain … that the Xi communist dictatorship has advanced its timeline for reunification from perhaps later this decade to maybe as little as 18 months.”

I can sense that within a very short period of time after the conflict starts between China and Taiwan, America will come in on the side of Taiwan. That maybe just with weapons support, but more probably with air and sea engagement on behalf of Taiwan. Australia will dutifully move with  America, and could well attract retaliation. First it will be by economic embargo and then physical response  in the form of missile, rocket and drone retaliation. For Darwin and Cairns, it could be a case of revisitation to the second world war takeout of these cities of the north, during those months in 1942 by Japan.  

I may be accused of pessimistic imagination, but my concerns are real. It is not hard to imagine our northern cities and towns, thousands of kilometres closer to China than our southern counterparts, being decimated as China pressures the Australian government to demur from the threat of even more drastic action by the Land of the Panda.

Regardless of pros and cons, there is a certain irony about what is likely to transpire in nearing future: Taiwan, under the ‘One China Policy’ is not recognised by either America or Australia, nor for that matter by very many countries and governments.  In the broadest sense, if China takes physical action against Taiwan, under the terms of the policy of recognition, the action would be tantamount to civil war.

Those close to the heart of action within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) refer to Taiwan as the “Treasure Island of our Motherland”. It will not be long before they CCP goes all out for what’s they define as reunification through a process which, more and  more likely, will engulf Australia.

As Australians, we will certainly be involved in any response to Western action from China. As Northern Territorians, we will be more vulnerable to retaliation than our southern counterparts. We have every reason to be concerned about the unfolding months ahead

There is NO WAY the CLP government should withdraw government housing for police officers in Darwin. Provision or subsidisation of housing entitlements should stay in place.

 There are it seems, fewer and fewer benefits available to police. The need for police officers is at breaking point and if this entitlement disappears, this added to other disincentives, could well see a continuing exodus of police to other destinations.

I am horrified that there should be any thought of offering even less by way of benefits to what our police receive.

The lack of police force members is already impacting the length of time it takes for officers to attend callouts, follow up on ever-increasing numbers of assaults, attend domestic violence issues, respond to robberies and break-ins and allow full complements of staff to operate police stations. 

The lack of policing resources is the reason the Njghtcliff Station remains closed. 

Please, Chief Minister, don’t for one second longer, entertain this action.

Donald Trump.

The upcoming Federal  Election is a bit like the 1912 ‘Titanic and the Iceberg incident.

There are two contenders in the 2025 election, PM Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

Whoever loses will sink, just like the Titanic when it hit the iceberg all those years ago.

Who will be what?

Pamphlet here

Handouts there

Political aspirants are everywhere

Through the post

Ads on TV

Through radio waves

Reach out to me

Will abruptly cease

Last third of May.

It’s over then

Election Day.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

The distinctive hair of Donald Trump.

Black bags contain an assortment of boxes

The Poor Old Henry way

Childcare and Early Learning Centre support is critically important for parents and their children. While essential, an aspect of care is that of cost. While the Federal Government is seemingly offering more financial support to parents and centres, considerable costs for materials are incurred.

We support our local centre in a way that helps with defraying some of these costs. Supporting our local centre also offers a sense of satisfaction. 

What we save and take to the centre includes the following.

• Large, clean paper bags that are split open and used for artwork.
• Plastic shopping bags in which items of clothing are sent home.
• Large bottle tops  – milk bottle size – used for craft and collage construction.
• Small and medium-sized boxes – up to shoe box side – used for construction and play.
• Old magazines for picture cutouts. 
•  Old newspaper which covers tables during art and craft construction times.

We are happy to save and share these materials and I am suggesting others might support their early learning centres in the same way.

Shifted from the RAAF Base at Eaton in Darwin by a company

They were to be sold.

Most still sit.

Will they be there until 2050 or beyond.

In terms of memorable utterances, how does Donald Trump compare to the late Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh?

Response:

Comparing the memorable utterances of Donald Trump and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, reveals distinct styles and contexts in which each has made an impact. Here’s a breakdown of their notable comments and how they differ:

Donald Trump’s Memorable Utterances

1. Contentious and Provocative Statements:
   • Donald Trump’s speeches and tweets are often characterized by bold, sometimes controversial remarks that have generated significant media attention and public discourse. Phrases like “Make America Great Again” and “Fake News” have become emblematic of his political identity.
2. Direct and Confident Tone:
   • Trump’s communication style tends to be direct, using repetition and simple language, making his points accessible and memorable. His remarks often evoke strong emotions, whether support or opposition.
3. Pop Culture References:
   • Trump’s comments frequently spill into pop culture, with his phrases being adopted into memes, merchandise, and various forms of media, reflecting his distinct brand of communication.

Prince Philip’s Memorable Utterances

1. Witty and Sometimes Controversial Remarks:
   • Prince Philip was known for his humorous, off-the-cuff comments, many of which were deemed charming but sometimes controversial. Statements like “If you stay here much longer, you’ll be slotted in” reflect his candid personality.
2. Formal and Polite Tone:
   • Prince Philip’s style was typically more formal compared to Trump, reflecting his background and royal duties. His utterances often emphasized tradition, duty, and respect, embodying the values of the British monarchy.
3. Memorable Public Gaffes:
   • Many of his remarks became memorable partly due to their unintended gaffes or awkwardness, often eliciting amused reactions, as opposed to the polarizing responses often triggered by Trump.

Conclusion

In summary, Donald Trump’s memorable utterances are characterized by their provocative and straightforward nature, often aimed at mobilizing and energizing his base, while Prince Philip’s remarks were marked by a blend of humor and formality, often reflecting royal decorum and tradition. Both figures have left a significant imprint on public discourse, albeit in very different styles and contexts. Their utterances resonate with their respective audiences, showcasing the diverse ways public figures can communicate and connect with the public.

Well, well, well.

Is there a mental health epidemic sweeping the world ?

Response:

The assertion that there is a mental health epidemic sweeping the world reflects a growing recognition of mental health issues and their impact on individuals and societies. Here are several points that discuss this phenomenon:

Indicators of a Mental Health Epidemic

1. Rising Prevalence:

• Studies have shown an increase in mental health disorders globally, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that mental health conditions are on the rise, particularly among young people.

1. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues significantly due to factors like isolation, uncertainty, grief, and economic hardships. Many individuals have reported increased anxiety and depression during and after the pandemic.

1. Stigma and Awareness:

• Increased awareness and reduced stigma surrounding mental health have led more individuals to seek help and report their struggles, contributing to the perception of an epidemic.

1. Youth Mental Health Crisis:

• There are alarming trends showing that children and adolescents are facing unprecedented levels of mental health challenges, including suicidal ideation and self-harm.

1. Workplace Stress and Burnout:

• Increased demands in the workplace and the blurring of work-life boundaries, especially during the pandemic, have contributed to rising levels of stress and burnout among workers.

Counterarguments and Considerations

1. Increased Reporting and Diagnosis:

• Part of the perceived epidemic may stem from improved diagnostic criteria and increased willingness to report mental health issues. More awareness can lead to higher reported rates without necessarily indicating a true rise in prevalence.

1. Access to Care:

• While the awareness of mental health is improving, many regions still lack adequate mental health services and resources, leaving many individuals without access to necessary care.

1. Cultural Variations:

• Mental health perceptions and diagnoses can vary significantly across cultures, which may influence the understanding of prevalence rates globally.

Conclusion

The notion of a mental health epidemic is supported by rising prevalence rates, especially in light of recent global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. While increased awareness and reduced stigma contribute to more individuals seeking help, the growing numbers indicate a genuine concern that requires urgent attention. Addressing this issue will involve improving access to mental health care, increasing public education, and implementing supportive policies to foster mental well-being in communities worldwide. Collaborative efforts among governments, healthcare providers, and community organizations are essential to effectively address this growing public health challenge.

Worldwide, human mentality is under siege.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Should people charged with aggravated assault including rape, ever be granted bail in the NT ?

Response:

The issue of whether individuals charged with aggravated assault, including rape, should be granted bail in the Northern Territory (NT) is complex and involves balancing various legal, social, and ethical considerations. Here are some points to consider:

Arguments Against Granting Bail:

1. Severity of the Offense: Aggravated assault and rape are serious offenses that can result in significant harm to victims.
2. Risk to Public Safety: There is a concern that granting bail could pose a risk to the safety of the victim or the community.
3. Flight Risk: Individuals charged with serious crimes may have a higher incentive to flee to avoid prosecution.

Arguments For Granting Bail:

1. Presumption of Innocence: Every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and bail allows them to prepare their defense.
2. Legal Rights: Denying bail can be seen as an infringement on an individual’s legal rights and could lead to potential injustices.
3. Bail Conditions: Courts can impose strict conditions on bail, such as no contact with victims, which can mitigate risks.

Current Legal Framework:

• In the NT, the decision to grant bail is often made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the nature of the crime, past criminal history, and specific circumstances of the accused.

Conclusion:

The question of granting bail to individuals charged with aggravated assault, including rape, should be approached with caution, considering both the rights of the accused and the safety of the community. It ultimately depends on the balance of these factors as interpreted by the legal system in the NT.

My thoughts

The alleged offender had a raft of the most serious of charges pending.

He was bailed and apparently it was police instituted bail.

He was not required to wear an ankle bracelet.

A condition of his bail was that he remain in a remote community several hundred kilometres south of Darwin, and that he not travel to Darwin for other than medical reasons or court appearances.

One would doubt if he ever made it to the remote community and if he did, would hardly be welcomed with open arms.

It would seem that he was not required to periodically report at a police station as part of his bail conditions.

The NT Assembly has been recalled on Wednesday April 30 to pass more restrictive ‘judicial discretion‘ bail laws requiring greater consideration of community safety.

The Northern Territory, despite the efforts of our now eight months old CLP Government, continues to be strangled by crime.

Donald Trump

Who never ever goes back on his word?

Whose word is his bond?

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump’s.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

• Today we voted in the pre-poll for the election on May 3
• There were so many cars and so many people and such awfully long queues, that I wondered if we were at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.
• There was a festoon of tents and a barrage of posters and voting recommendations.
• We eventually got to vote and left.
• As we departed I was hit by the realisation that as a man who has passed through his 79th birthday milestone, that this might indeed be my last trip to the voting booth to participate in a federal election.
• I drove away slowly and had one last, long look at the pre-polling centre, with the full realisation this could be the last time before the golden slip rails intervene.

The game played on Easter Monday between GEELONG and HAWTHORN at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was won by Geelong in front of a crowd of more than 88,000 spectators

Donald Trump is not happy that Vladimir Putin continues vicious attacks on Ukraine.

Not happy!

THEN WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

My reflections will go on for some time to come. I can but wonder why.

The Feicks were a very supportive family back in my days as principal at Karama School from 1987 – 1991. Linford and Margaret Feick’s three children Nathan, Ben, and Joanne were students at Karama. They were terrific students and the school was fantastically supported by their parents.

The Feicks have been in the grocery industry for decades, and the community highly regards their business. People today talk of the fantastic atmosphere and outstanding service offered within the store, where the notion of ‘family’ embraces staff and extends to the local community.

What has happened is awful—but not unexpected—in this crime-laden Territory.

My thoughts are with Margaret Feick, her children and grandchilden at this time.

I AM INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED IN ANTHONY ALBANESE’S STANCE – HOW COULD HE?!

Labor, you are incredibly disappointing.

My thoughts:

Three more years of Albanese – please NO!

They called John Howard ‘The Hollow Man”. Not so!  He was one of our very best Prime Ministers. I think of Anthony Albanese as ‘The Shallow Man’ – all talk, prevarication and very little substance. I am fearful of him and his government getting another three years. If that happens, Australia will be beyond economic and social

Labor preferences the Greens

How I wish every Labor incumbent who has agreed to and endorsed the Greens candidate as their second preference would lose their seat in the upcoming election. If the new government is based on these two parties, it will be one of discord and mayhem.

Please compare and contrast the positives and negatives of the leadership styles of Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese.

Who is the more effective and appreciated leader?

Response:

Comparison of Leadership Styles: Donald Trump vs. Anthony Albanese

Donald Trump

Positives:

1. Decisive Leadership:

• Trump’s decisiveness often appealed to voters who prefer strong, assertive leadership.
• Implemented policies swiftly, such as tax reforms and deregulations.

1. Populist Approach:

• Engaged with the American public through rallies and social media, creating a passionate following.
• He focused on issues that resonated with his base, such as immigration and trade.

1. Economic Focus:

• Advocated for pro-business policies that led to economic growth pre-COVID-19.
• Supported job creation and aimed to boost American manufacturing.

Negatives:

1. Polarizing Figure:

• Trump’s leadership style is often seen as divisive, intensifying partisan tensions in the U.S.
• Frequent controversial statements and behaviors led to significant backlash.

1. Lack of Collaborativeness:

• Often operated without bipartisan support, rejecting cooperation with other political leaders.
• His focus on loyalty over expertise raised questions about the competence of his administration.

1. Ethical Concerns:

• Faced multiple investigations and controversies that questioned his business dealings and conduct in office.

Anthony Albanese

Positives:

1. Consensus-Building:

• Albanese is known for his collaborative approach, seeking partnerships and bipartisan support in governance.
• Prioritized engagement with various stakeholders, including Indigenous communities and other political entities.

1. Focus on Issues:

• Addressed significant issues such as climate change, economic recovery, and health care improvements.
• Emphasized social justice and equality, appealing to a broader section of the electorate.

1. Calm Demeanor:

• Known for his measured and professional demeanor, which fosters a sense of stability in leadership.

Negatives:

1. Limited Charisma:

• Albanese’s less dynamic public speaking style may lead to perceptions of lower energy compared to more charismatic leaders.
• May struggle to capture media attention on issues overshadowed by more sensational news.

1. Political Resistance:

• Faces challenges in implementing policies against a backdrop of a divided political landscape.
• May find it difficult to mobilize support for ambitious reforms.

1. Voter Expectations:

• Needs to navigate high expectations from constituents who seek rapid change, which can be difficult to fulfill.

Effectiveness and Appreciation as Leaders

The effectiveness and appreciation of a leader can be subjective and heavily influenced by cultural, political, and social factors.

• Donald Trump enjoys significant support from a portion of the American electorate who value his unconventional approach and decisive actions. However, his polarizing nature led to widespread criticism, particularly in terms of his handling of social issues and international diplomacy.
• Anthony Albanese is seen as a more stable and collaborative leader, attracting appreciation from those who prioritize responsible governance and social justice. While he may lack the fervent following Trump has, his consensus-building approach could lead to more sustainable governance in the long run.

Conclusion

Determining who is the more effective or appreciated leader ultimately depends on individual values and political beliefs. Trump appeals to those favoring strong, decisive action, whereas Albanese resonates with those who value stability, collaboration, and inclusivity in leadership.

It is like choosing between a rock and a hard place!

The Negatives of Donald Trump’s Dealings with America and the World

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is a polarizing figure whose presidency was marked by various controversies and actions that sparked significant criticism. Numerous negatives emerged during his dealings with both domestic and international entities, impacting America’s reputation, political landscape, and societal cohesion. Here are twenty critical negatives associated with Donald Trump’s presidency:

1. Polarization of Politics: Trump’s rhetoric often deepened political divides in America, promoting an “us vs. them” mentality that further alienated different political factions.
2. Disregard for Facts: Trump frequently made statements and assertions that were factually inaccurate or misleading. This ‘alternative facts’ approach eroded public trust in traditional media and institutions.
3. Attacks on the Media: The Trump administration consistently labeled critical media as “fake news,” undermining journalistic integrity and stifling unbiased reporting.
4. Undermining Democratic Norms: Trump’s dismissal of the democratic process, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 election, raised concerns about the erosion of democratic values and practices.
5. Immigrants and Refugees: His administration’s immigration policies, including family separations at the border and the travel ban from several predominantly Muslim countries, were viewed as discriminatory and inhumane.
6. Environmental Policies: Trump rolled back numerous environmental regulations aimed at combating climate change, which weakened global efforts to address this critical issue.
7. Trade Wars: His approach to trade, particularly with China, led to tariffs that harmed American farmers and consumers, disrupting supply chains and contributing to economic uncertainty.
8. NATO Relations: Trump’s public criticism of NATO allies raised concerns about the unity of the alliance and America’s commitment to collective security.
9. Healthcare Instability: Trump repeatedly attempted to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a comprehensive replacement, jeopardizing millions of Americans’ healthcare coverage.
10. Public Health Responses: His handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was widely criticized for downplaying the virus’s severity and promoting unproven treatments, contributing to confusion and distrust among the public.
11. Racial Tensions: Trump’s often incendiary remarks regarding race contributed to heightened racial tensions and divisions within the country, sparking protests and civil unrest.
12. International Relations: His approach to foreign diplomacy often alienated long-standing allies, eroding trust and reducing America’s influence on the global stage.
13. Withdrawal from Agreements: Trump withdrew from crucial international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, which undermined global cooperation on pressing issues.
14. Economic Disparities: While the economy did experience growth during his term, the benefits were often unevenly distributed, exacerbating economic inequalities in the U.S.
15. Misuse of Presidential Power: Trump faced impeachment twice, first for abuse of power related to Ukraine and later for inciting insurrection, highlighting concerns over presidential malfeasance.
16. Dismissal of Science: His administration often sidelined scientific advice, especially regarding health and environmental issues, favoring political expediency over factual accuracy.
17. Support for Authoritarian Regimes: Trump expressed admiration for authoritarian leaders, which contradicted American values of democracy and human rights.
18. Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Rights: Policies rolled back protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly in the military and healthcare, sending a regressive message regarding equality.
19. Crisis of Credibility: Continuous controversies and scandals eroded global trust in American leadership, affecting international collaborations on critical issues.
20. Social Media Misinformation: Trump’s extensive use of social media to spread misinformation further polarized the electorate and contributed to a toxic political environment.

In conclusion, Donald Trump’s presidency left an indelible mark on America and its standing in the world. His actions and policies reflected a combination of divisive rhetoric, controversial decisions, and an approach to governance that often prioritized personal interests over collective welfare. The long-term effects of these negatives continue to shape the political, social, and economic landscape of the United States.

Insecurity and uncertainty about the world’s future are frightening millions of Australians’ resolve and mental fortitude. This compounds exponentially for young people who cannot see other than the gloom and doom of realism that is so confronting.

They think, why not live for today without worry or care, for there is no tomorrow?

Things seem to be beyond redemption

Please write me a 500 word essay elaborating 20 negatives that are manifest by Donald Trump in his dealings with America and the world.

Response:

The Negatives of Donald Trump’s Dealings with America and the World

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is a polarizing figure whose presidency was marked by various controversies and actions that sparked significant criticism. Numerous negatives emerged during his dealings with both domestic and international entities, impacting America’s reputation, political landscape, and societal cohesion. Here are twenty critical negatives associated with Donald Trump’s presidency:

1. Polarization of Politics: Trump’s rhetoric often deepened political divides in America, promoting an “us vs. them” mentality that further alienated different political factions.
2. Disregard for Facts: Trump frequently made statements and assertions that were factually inaccurate or misleading. This ‘alternative facts’ approach eroded public trust in traditional media and institutions.
3. Attacks on the Media: The Trump administration consistently labeled critical media as “fake news,” undermining journalistic integrity and stifling unbiased reporting.
4. Undermining Democratic Norms: Trump’s dismissal of the democratic process, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 election, raised concerns about the erosion of democratic values and practices.
5. Immigrants and Refugees: His administration’s immigration policies, including family separations at the border and the travel ban from several predominantly Muslim countries, were viewed as discriminatory and inhumane.
6. Environmental Policies: Trump rolled back numerous environmental regulations aimed at combating climate change, which weakened global efforts to address this critical issue.
7. Trade Wars: His approach to trade, particularly with China, led to tariffs that harmed American farmers and consumers, disrupting supply chains and contributing to economic uncertainty.
8. NATO Relations: Trump’s public criticism of NATO allies raised concerns about the unity of the alliance and America’s commitment to collective security.
9. Healthcare Instability: Trump repeatedly attempted to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a comprehensive replacement, jeopardizing millions of Americans’ healthcare coverage.
10. Public Health Responses: His handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was widely criticized for downplaying the virus’s severity and promoting unproven treatments, contributing to confusion and distrust among the public.
11. Racial Tensions: Trump’s often incendiary remarks regarding race contributed to heightened racial tensions and divisions within the country, sparking protests and civil unrest.
12. International Relations: His approach to foreign diplomacy often alienated long-standing allies, eroding trust and reducing America’s influence on the global stage.
13. Withdrawal from Agreements: Trump withdrew from crucial international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, which undermined global cooperation on pressing issues.
14. Economic Disparities: While the economy did experience growth during his term, the benefits were often unevenly distributed, exacerbating economic inequalities in the U.S.
15. Misuse of Presidential Power: Trump faced impeachment twice, first for abuse of power related to Ukraine and later for inciting insurrection, highlighting concerns over presidential malfeasance.
16. Dismissal of Science: His administration often sidelined scientific advice, especially regarding health and environmental issues, favoring political expediency over factual accuracy.
17. Support for Authoritarian Regimes: Trump expressed admiration for authoritarian leaders, which contradicted American values of democracy and human rights.
18. Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Rights: Policies rolled back protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly in the military and healthcare, sending a regressive message regarding equality.
19. Crisis of Credibility: Continuous controversies and scandals eroded global trust in American leadership, affecting international collaborations on critical issues.
20. Social Media Misinformation: Trump’s extensive use of social media to spread misinformation further polarized the electorate and contributed to a toxic political environment.

In conclusion, Donald Trump’s presidency left an indelible mark on America and its standing in the world. His actions and policies reflected a combination of divisive rhetoric, controversial decisions, and an approach to governance that often prioritized personal interests over collective welfare. The long-term effects of these negatives continue to shape the political, social, and economic landscape of the United States.

Is this response current or based more on past perceptions?

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump

From years past

The memories of vindictiveness

And cruel manipulation

Burst

Through subconscious memory

And preyed

Upon the mind

Seering the thoughts of the abused

Like a hot iron

Lifted from the fire

Of tortured memories.

Prenatally reviled

She was persuaded from the mother’s womb

By harassing doctor’s

Who surrendered

To the hysteria of the one

Who wanted her out

And gone.

Days and weeks

In a humidicrib

Blessedly,

Succoured by a father

On five days army leave

Who spent most of those days

Beside her tiny cocoon of life.

Not the birthing mother

Who declined interest

In the unwanted offspring

Who had burdened her life

With perceived discomfit

For 22 days, she ignored

The jettisoned fruit of her womb

Before her first glance

At the one aborted.

Growing her up

Through childhood years

Treated as the family Cinderella

Made to fetch, carry, cook, clean,

Even to mind the younger siblings,

The girls were given angelic treatment,

The boys reviled by a mother,

Whose preference in life

Was to shed parental responsibility,

Preferring instead,

To drift off into a world of dreamy romance

By reading for countless hours

Lost in the text of perceived love,

Developed by the hands of far-away authors.

That deprived elder child,

So often dispatched to a grandmother,

The inference being

Out of sight and out of mind

Of the birthing woman, her reluctant mother.

But when home tasks became onerous,

She was summoned,

By phone from far away,

For a homecoming reminiscent for her,

As a return to hell on earth.

A prestigious scholarship,

Won by dint of perseverance

Dedicated effort and application,

Gave her a place as a boarder in a private school,

For her senior secondary years.

The dominating mother

Cruelly denied her opportunity,

“All my children must be equally treated

The scholarship will go to her head,

No … no scholarship for you.”

“She does not want to accept the scholarship!

She prefers to attend government high school,

She will stay with my sister,

The money will help her and Margo will cope.”

All this

With never a word of recognition

Bestowed

Upon the sack-clothed, sad, soul

Within the chest

The hernia distorted frame

Of her daughter.

The foundational years of her upbringing

Were tarnished and cracked

By a mother

Who was so cruelly dispositioned

With devilish intent

Upon distorting her focus

Predicating it with negative intent,

Abusing her psyche

And scarifying her soul.

She gave the lie

To the idea

That a child is forever embedded within a mothers heart.

Like that premature birth,

She incised from her brain,

ANY thought of love or fondness,

For that firstborn,

Who for her,

Tarnished her looks and distorted her figure

When all she wanted

Was to frisk and gambol, displaying her looks

To those who would oogle.

Yeeetch!

An imposition,

A bloody road block,

“Barrier to my way of life

And the desires of my heart,

BEGONE”!!

Donald Trump

Please write me a 500-word essay confirming Donald Trump as the world’s most sought-after influencer. Please give 20 reasons why he is the most powerfully positive influencer on earth and include how his operational thesis will make the world a better place.

Donald Trump: The World’s Most Sought-After Influencer

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has undeniably become one of the most influential figures in the modern world. His impact transcends politics, extending into business, culture, and social discourse. While opinions on Trump are often polarized, there are compelling arguments for why he is considered the most sought-after influencer globally. Here are twenty reasons underpinning this claim and how his operational thesis can contribute positively to the world.

1. Charismatic Leadership: Trump possesses a unique charisma that draws attention. His ability to connect with a broad audience through simple, relatable language makes him a powerful communicator.
2. Cultural Icon: He has cemented his status as a cultural icon, influencing fashion, media, and lifestyle. His branding strategies have reshaped how personal branding is perceived.
3. Bold Business Strategies: As a successful businessman, his unconventional strategies challenge traditional norms, encouraging innovation and risk-taking in the corporate world.
4. Fearlessness in Controversy: Trump’s willingness to tackle contentious issues head-on resonates with many who feel disenfranchised by typical political rhetoric.
5. Populist Appeal: His ability to connect with everyday Americans and champion their concerns has garnered him a loyal following, enhancing his influence over populist movements globally.
6. Media Mastery: Trump’s adeptness at leveraging social media platforms allows him to reach millions directly, enabling him to shape narratives and influence public opinion swiftly.
7. Economic Policies: His focus on job creation, deregulation, and tax reforms has positively impacted the economy, fostering growth that benefits many citizens.
8. Advocacy for Nationalism: Trump’s emphasis on nationalism resonates with individuals who prioritize local economies and national identity, fostering a sense of community.
9. Global Stage Presence: His direct approach in foreign relations has challenged global norms, promoting a new style of diplomatic engagement that prioritizes American interests.
10. Support for Law Enforcement: Trump’s strong support for law enforcement has garnered respect from many communities, advocating for safety and security.
11. Outspoken on Trade: His critiques of unfair trade practices have spurred discussions about fair trade, encouraging countries to reassess their economic agreements.
12. Championing Free Speech: Trump’s commitment to free speech and expression appeals to those concerned about censorship and the suppression of differing viewpoints.
13. Inspiration for Entrepreneurs: His success story serves as inspiration for budding entrepreneurs, demonstrating that determination and a strong vision can lead to success.
14. Commitment to American Energy Independence: His policies promoting energy independence have not only created jobs but have also contributed to a more self-sufficient economy.
15. Icon of Resilience: Despite facing significant challenges and setbacks, Trump’s resilience serves as an inspiring example of overcoming adversity.
16. Focus on American Innovation: By prioritizing STEM and technological advancements, his influence encourages future generations to innovate and create.
17. Disruption of Political Norms: His presence has disrupted traditional party politics, encouraging citizens to question the status quo and become more engaged in the political process.
18. Engagement with Youth: Through social media, Trump connects with younger generations, ensuring that they remain politically aware and active.
19. Inclusion of Diverse Voices: Trump has made efforts to include diverse perspectives in discussions, broadening the scope of political dialogue.
20. Operational Thesis for a Better World: Trump’s thesis revolves around revitalizing economies, advocating for individual freedoms, and fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship. By promoting policies that prioritize economic growth, job creation, and national security, Trump aims to create a more prosperous world.

In conclusion, Donald Trump’s multifaceted influence stems from his unique approach to leadership, communication, and policy. His operational thesis is rooted in principles that prioritize individual empowerment and national prosperity, creating a framework that could indeed lead to a more positive global environment. Whether one agrees with his methods or not, there is no denying Trump’s position as a profoundly impactful influencer on the world stage.

I fel like a midget peering up to this great man. Would it be that I was worthy to be squashed under his heel.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump

Trump is cooking Ukraine

Donald Trump is looking to bail out on all these issues.

He has got this all so wrong and is very frightened of Vladimir Putin. Putin negotiates by saying ‘jump’, and Trump says ‘how high’. 

Putin’s tactics make Trump look like a vassal, not a negotiator with genuine concerns for Ukraine’s future.

Donald Trump.

The name of Donald Trump.

Donald Trump, the world’s best known citizen.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump.

TO BE SUNG ON THE LATE EVENING OF MAY 3 2025

Labor has won,
Labor has won,
May 3 will confirm,
Labor has won.

Back to the Lodge
Albo is home,
The result’s in the bag
Labor has won.

His smile and his handshake
Bring comfort and cheers
Returning ‘Our Albo’,
For another three years.

The Coalition has lost,
What they could have won,
But they slipped up so badly,
There was no way home.

Labor has won,
Labor has won,
May 3 will confirm,
Labor has won.

The rain fell on and off for most of the day and as I write this at 10.40 pm on Saturday, April 19, precipitation, albeit light but certainly wet, continues to wash Darwin.

Australia is becoming top-heavy with people and very much under the pump regarding organisations and infrastructure needed to support these vast numbers.

Population pressures are contributing to a lack of housing, a lack of employment opportunities and a lack of satisfaction with life.

People’s pressure contributes to parents having no time to bring their children up in a proper family context, making far too many children feel detached from the vital family aspect that was so much a part of life in the past times.

At one end of the age spectrum, there are growing numbers of essentially unloved – and unwanted – children beyond the brief bubble of parenthood bliss.

On the other hand, there are increasing numbers of aged persons for whom life has become a day-by-day challenge.

Many of these, I believe – as a 79-year-old man myself and seeing what is going on in the aged care domain – cannot wait until blessedly relieved of life by their passing.

Can Donald Trump help solve major conflicts – Ukraine/ Russia and Israel/ Hamas – or is he all bluff and bluster?

Response:

The effectiveness of Donald Trump in solving major conflicts like Ukraine/Russia and Israel/Hamas is a subject of intense debate. Here are some perspectives:

Potential for Conflict Resolution

1. Diplomatic Experience:

• Trump has prior experience in international negotiations, including his administration’s involvement in brokering the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations.

1. Unconventional Approach:

• His often unconventional style and willingness to meet with leaders, such as Kim Jong-un, may appeal to factions looking for fresh pathways to dialogue.

1. Focus on Results:

• Trump emphasizes “America First” but also claims to prioritize stability in strategic interest areas, suggesting he might pursue personal diplomacy to reduce tensions.

Concerns About Efficacy

1. Polarizing Figure:

• Trump’s leadership style is highly polarizing, which could complicate international partnerships. His rhetoric often generates resistance rather than cooperation.

1. Critiques of Policy:

• Critics argue that his past foreign policy moves—such as withdrawing from international agreements—have undermined U.S. credibility.

1. Bluster Over Substance:

• Detractors label some of his claims as “bluff and bluster,” questioning whether he possesses the diplomatic finesse required to navigate deeply rooted conflicts.

1. Shifting Alliances:

• The evolving geopolitical landscape may require more nuanced approaches, and critics wonder if Trump’s methods can adapt to the complexities of modern conflicts.

Summary

While Trump may have some tools for conflict resolution based on his past experiences and unique approach, there are significant concerns regarding his polarizing nature and ability to engage effectively with adversaries. Whether he could be a key figure in resolving these conflicts remains highly speculative and depends on both the geopolitical context and his approach to diplomacy.

Thank you for this insightful and balanced response. Trump is not a god.

Which is the most outstanding and customer supporting hire car company in Australia?

Response:

According to recent ratings and reviews, here are some of the most outstanding car hire companies in Australia known for their customer support:

1. Thrifty Car Rental

• Rated as a top pick in customer service, Thrifty has received five stars for their support and transparency.
• Learn more here

1. Avis Car Rental

• Known for great customer service and a wide range of vehicles, Avis continues to be a popular choice among renters.
• Find out more

1. Budget Car Rental

• Offers good rates and a good reputation for customer support, making it a reliable option for travelers.
• Check their offerings

1. Hertz

• Renowned for luxury options and good customer service, Hertz may provide the perfect choice for those seeking a premium experience.
• Visit Hertz

1. East Coast Car Rentals

• Prioritizes affordability and excellent customer service, making it a favorable option for many.
• Explore East Coast Rentals

1. Alpha Car Hire

• Known for excellent value and customer service, often receiving high praise from users.
• More information here

1. Canstar Blue’s Ratings

• Thrifty received top ratings for customer service in Canstar Blue’s latest hire car ratings. Read more about it here.

These companies have shown a commitment to customer satisfaction and could be great options to consider for car rentals in Australia.

You never know

MALE TEACHERS: ON THE ROAD TO EXTINCTION

Male teachers all over the world and especially in Australia and our Northern Territory are a vanishing species. What has happened? There is in my opinion a need to turn the situation around, and increase the number of male teachers in our schools, particularly our primary schools.

One of the most satisfying periods of my teaching career was at Nhulunbuy Primary School, at Gove, in North-East Arnhem Land, 650 kilometres east of Darwin. During my time of principalship (1983-1986), the school had an enrolment of 750 students, from Transition through to Year Seven. There were a further 90 children being readied for formal learning in our preschool.

The school had a staff of 52 teachers and ancillaries, which included nineteen male teachers (36% of our teaching staff). We men had our own Touch Football team, we made up almost all of one of the local cricket teams, and we were a major contributing force to local rugby league, basketball and other male-focused sport teams.

I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but a gender balance of that nature is a rarity. The ratio of male-to-female teachers in Australian primary schools these days is 1:27. At 1:9 in high schools, the situation is just a little better, but still, 90% of the staff are women. At Leanyer School where I was Principal for 20 years, we had at best five male members of more than 30 staff. There are some schools where the only male on staff is the janitor!

Where have all the male teachers gone, and why? Male primary teachers are an almost extinct species. Men in teacher training at all levels are rare. More and more qualified and practising male teachers are leaving for other apparently less stressful occupations.

Historical Reasons

There are historical reasons for the perceived unattractiveness of primary teaching to men. They centre on the perceptions of salary, status, community regard and an inherent idea that men working with children runs counter to the male psyche. The notion of ‘macho’ and the nurture of children seem somehow to be incongruent. This reasoning is somewhat mythical. Maybe it’s even ‘claptrap’! To hang the diminishment of the male teaching species on such ideas is illogical. But it does nothing to ease a very real situation, that there are now very few male teachers, particularly in primary schools.

Men Under Siege

I have no doubt that male teachers in primary schools are under siege. Along with fellow educators, I study the media’s coverage of our profession. While the media is interpretative, and accuracy sometimes skewed, it still reflects the perceptions generally held by society of social institutions and its managers.

Diet of Male Dysfunctionalism

The community at large is fed a bountiful print, radio and TV diet of stories about male teacher dysfunctionalism. There has been, and continues to be, a plethora of stories alleging interference with, and abuse of, children by male teachers. Sadly, some instances of infringement and violation against children and students are proven in courts. However, a significant percentage of allegations leading to court action are found to be baseless.

For those who have been tried, ‘legal’ acquittal does not negate the associated moral perception and social indignation. Those found ‘not guilty’ by courts and those who never go to court because charges are dropped, are left feeling tainted. In the minds of the wrongfully accused, the damage to their reputations is everlasting.

Children and students are increasingly aware of their rights to care and protection. ‘Stranger danger’, the ‘Kid’s Helpline’ and similar strategies are filling what, historically, has been an information void. It’s important that children do understand their rights and the respect that is due to them. Information from student disclosures, however, needs to be carefully checked before action is taken. If the information offered is accepted without verification, with allegations subsequently found to be untrue, then the accused is violated.

The Need for Human Warmth

Male teachers face a real dilemma. It’s no secret that primary children, particularly younger ones, often seek to be physically close to their teachers. Gripping the hands of teachers, giving teachers cuddles, wanting to sit on teachers’ laps are manifestations of this deep-seated human need. Female teachers seem to be less at risk in this situation than males. Males may want to respond to children with humanity warmth and empathy, but are warned off by a deep societal frown.

By contrast, middle-aged female teachers are often regarded in a ‘grandmotherly’ way. It seems somehow much more socially acceptable for them to respond to the affection of children. A male teacher of the same age has to be much more circumspect, lest his actions be interpreted as those of a ‘dirty old man’.

The challenge is increasingly exacerbated by the phenomena of single parent families. Single mothers often ask that, if possible, their children be placed with a male teacher, for the sake of masculine role modeling. The scenario can become one that creates an acute conflict within the mind of the male teacher.

The Future for Male Teachers Is Not Rosy

There is an increasing focus on male teacher vulnerability but tackling the issue has been, at best, oblique. Deflecting the issue is no way of handling its challenge. At some stage – hopefully sooner rather than later – a considered response to the issue by senior managers will be necessary. Ignoring the situation won’t make it go away. In an age where litigation is increasingly common, the threat to male teacher integrity is likely to become more pronounced.

There are many factors that impinge on the issue of school staffing. Conversations with teachers reveal that the tension of being a vulnerable group weighs heavily on the minds of remaining male educators. I once had an excellent male teacher come to me saying he was resigning because of the weight of this perception. An outstanding teacher was forever lost to the profession.

The problem of the male teacher shortage is one that will rapidly worsen in the near future, given the ageing teaching profession and the imminent retirement of large number of existing male teachers. Unless something is done, primary schools will soon be staffed almost entirely by women.

Female teachers are valued educators and do a great job. However, gender balance within schools is needed for organisational equilibrium. The worry is that we are sadly out of balance.

Henry Gray

Published by the International Council of Principals in 2013 and reprinted twelve years later

In terms of allowed physical contact, which is the mist courteous and gentlest of sports?

Response:

In contrast to rough sports, several sports are known for their emphasis on courtesy, gentleness, and respect among participants. Here are a few that highlight these qualities:

1. Curling: Often referred to as “chess on ice,” curling is a sport where players slide stones on a sheet of ice towards a target area. It emphasizes strategy, precision, and sportsmanship.
2. Golf: Known for its etiquette, golf promotes a courteous atmosphere where players respect each other’s space and take turns, with a strong emphasis on honesty and integrity.
3. Tennis: While competitive, tennis players are expected to demonstrate sportsmanship, such as acknowledging good plays by opponents and maintaining a respectful demeanor on and off the court.
4. Badminton: Similar to tennis, badminton is played with an emphasis on respect and sportsmanship, with minimal physical contact and a focus on skill and technique.
5. Table Tennis: This sport also emphasizes precision and technique with little to no physical contact between players, and sportsmanship is highly valued.

These sports prioritize courteous behavior and respect for opponents, making them some of the gentlest in terms of allowed physical contact.

Remember Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open.

In terms of physical contact, which is the roughest sport played on earth?

Response:

Determining the “roughest” sport can be subjective, but a few sports are often cited for their high levels of physical contact and rough play:

1. Rugby: Known for its intense physicality, rugby involves frequent tackles, scrums, and a high rate of injuries.
2. American Football: With its heavy contact and protective gear, American football sees high-impact collisions and a lot of physical strategies that can lead to rough play.
3. Ice Hockey: The combination of speed, skating, and body checking makes ice hockey one of the roughest team sports, with fights being a notable aspect of the game.
4. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA): While not a team sport, MMA involves intense physical confrontation, grappling, and striking that can lead to significant injuries.

Among these, many consider rugby to be the roughest due to its lack of protective gear and the nature of the tackles involved.

Well, well, well.

Electioneering and election mania 

• There is a possibility and an 80% probability that if all the coreflutes advertising candidates for the upcoming election were to come to life, our Darwin/Palmerston population would increase by 250,000.

• There is a possibility but not a strong probability that all coreflutes will be removed by noon on May 4.

• There is a possibility but little probability that constituents will sneak out in the late night of May 3 to purloin coreflutes as keepsakes of candidates because of their hero worship of those who sought election. 

Response:

The impact of modern technology on the world is multifaceted, offering both clarity and confusion. Here’s a breakdown of both sides:

Clarity

1. Access to Information: Technology has democratized access to information. The internet allows individuals to learn about various topics, cultures, and global issues instantly.
2. Communication: Enhanced communication tools (social media, video calls, instant messaging) have connected people across the globe, facilitating relationships and fostering collaboration.
3. Problem Solving: Advances in technology (AI, data analytics) have enabled better problem-solving capabilities in fields like healthcare, climate science, and finance.
4. Efficiency and Productivity: Automation and smart technologies have streamlined processes, allowing for greater efficiency in businesses and personal tasks.

Confusion and Insecurity

1. Information Overload: The sheer volume of available information can lead to confusion. Differentiating between credible and non-credible sources is increasingly challenging.
2. Misinformation and Disinformation: The rapid spread of false information can create panic, misunderstanding, and division within societies.
3. Privacy Concerns: With increased online presence comes anxiety regarding privacy and data security, leading to feelings of vulnerability.
4. Digital Dependency: Relying heavily on technology can lead to diminished critical thinking skills and a lack of face-to-face social interactions, which may foster feelings of isolation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while modern technology has provided significant advantages and clarity in many areas, it has also introduced complexities and challenges that can create confusion and insecurity. Striking a balance and developing digital literacy skills are essential to navigating this landscape effectively.

I am glad I retired before mobile phones took hold of and gripped schools like a plague.

Sources: ABC and AI – pic and caption.

Thanks AI

Source: Murdoch Press

“All smiles at the event! 🎉 Proud to support the South Sydney Rabbitohs alongside fans and friends.”

This is wonderful.

Source – Murdoch Press

Thanks to Peta Credlin and Colleen Hardin (Credlin 14 April) for revealing how overflowing with syncopations and flaws is the Australian Mathematics Curriculum for all year levels from reception to year 10.

In the picture is the mass of documetation that is the Australian maths curriculum for years to year 10.

On the right is the Singapore education systems maths curriculum of 84 pages.

Singaporean students are number one in maths with with OECD measurement. Australian students are falling further and further behind on the world stage.

Australian Maths Curriculum on the left. Singapore’s on the right.
The more voluminous the documentation the worse the academic outcome and the more trite the learning consequences.

And this is just for Maths.

The mind boggles and how glad I am not to be encumbered with such garbage.

The past days of reading the NT News on the subject of  accountability and responsibility have left me feeling sad and bemused.  It is awful when people who have done a great job in the overall context of their contributions are faced with career-jeopardising issues. It is even worse when—as was the case fosr Colleen Gwynne—someone is relentlessly pursued over issues of minimal consequence, resulting in personally and permanently damaging outcomes.  In such cases, monetary compensation never alleviates the scarring one feels for what has transpired.

During my years in the NT—from July 1975 – I became aware of how important it is for leaders to tread cautiously in all matters relating to their authority. It can be so easy to misstep. Juxtapositionally, it seems that people working at lower managerial levels are treated with more leniency and understanding if they slip up.

Through experience, I discovered two things that helped support my leadership.  

• The intertwining of authority and friendship can be challenging—it can be hard to be the boss of one’s friends. 
• My second support was the realisation that keeping a detailed diary account of all matters relating to one’s work can be of inestimable value in helping to answer questions that may be raised about professional performance and personal integrity.

I believe the NT Government and Education Minister Jo Hersey deserve credit for the efforts being made to lift the levels of school attendance by children in our cities, towns, and remote communities. But from what I am observing in our cities—Darwin and Palmerston—my concern is that the battle is not yet being won.

When driving around our cities and suburbs—especially in the vicinity of shopping centres—during school hours, I am both concerned and amazed by the number of primary and secondary-aged students who are not at school.

Many shopping centres display signage confirming businesses will not serve unaccompanied children during school hours. However, given the number of children with accompanying adults, this approach has little effect, and school attendance is not increasing.

The sad irony is that these children are being deprived of education and will grow into adults with minimal literacy and numeracy skills. Then, the Education Department will be in the crosshairs of criticism for failing these children—when parents are the people responsible for their deprivation

I am both alarmed and saddened by the rising tide of anti-Semitic hate being launched upon our Australian Jewish Community. And it could have  been prevented.

The Federal government, or at least responsible ministers, made their first mistake when refusing to take action over the hate speech sermons of various leaders of the Muslim faith.  

The second mistake was the dismissive attitude toward the Pro-Palestinian Opera House rally, including bending over backwards to explain how the slogan “Gas the Jews” was something else much more benign.

Then some major universities, to their shame, allowed their premises and facilities to be used for anti-Jewish and anti-Semitic rallies and camps. 

From there, the torching of synagogues and horrific damage to vehicles, houses and property reportedly owned by menbers of theJewish Community, especially in Victoria and New South Wales, has escalated alarmingly. 

Still nothing but the bleating of platitudes and supposedly soothing responses of “there, there that IS naughty” – which make official reaction wet-lettuce-leaf-like.  This awful situation is going from bad to worse. Will the Government(s) and law enforcement authorities do their job and hold those responsible to account for their actions? Sadly, I think not.

I am becoming increasingly uneasy about Australian security. Recent events, including Chinese warships circumnavigating Australia and possibly locating our underwater communications cables, have filled me with newfound uncertainty about our country. In a conflict situation, we could be cut off from the rest of the world. The Northern Territory’s proximity to Southeast Asia means that Darwin and Palmerston—defence cities—are more vulnerable than almost all other parts of Australia.

China’s befriending of Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands nations – including the offer of substantial financial support – makes it impossible for Australia to outbid their excursions into the region. Loyalties may well become divided.

With Russia now seeking to establish an airforce base in Indonesia while America becomes more self-centred and isolationist, Australia’s lack of security has just ramped up a notch.

Meanwhile, our upcoming election has offered little in the way of defence needs and adds to our insecurity. I am increasingly worried about the next few years.

The upcoming Federal  Election is a bit like the 1912 ‘Titanic and the Iceberg incident.

There are two contenders in the 2025 election, PM Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

Whoever loses will sink, just like the Titanic when it hit the iceberg all those years ago.

Who will be what?

Beyond belief

• There is a possibility but not a strong probability that Australia will become a better country for the total reliance placed upon renewables for energy generation.
• There is a possibility but not a strong probability that Australis will ever become a racially harmonious and unified country.
• There is a possibility but not a strong probability that Australia will remain a country beyond threat by overseas protagonists.

• There is a question in my mind about whether I was wrong to give up my religious faith because of disaffection with church management and priorities.

• I used to pay a tithe of 10% of my income to the church but ceased that practice before leaving the faith. At times I wonder whether this was wrong.

• I wonder about the relationship of faith to life’s actions and which is the more important.

• I am 79 and wonder what happens beyond life on earth. It was a huge worry once and I was frightened of dying. I don’t feel that way any more and wonder why.

Who will most likely win the upcoming Federal Election?

Response:

Based on recent polling data, the current predictions for the upcoming Federal Election in Australia suggest that the Labor Party has a significant lead over the Coalition. Here are some key points from various sources:

1. YouGov Poll – Labor is reported to have extended its lead to 52.5% compared to the Coalition’s 47.5%. Read more here.
2. Guardian Australia’s Model – The statistical model from The Guardian shows ongoing trends in favor of Labor, further indicating a competitive but potentially favorable outcome for them in the election. Check it out here.
3. ABC News Insights – A preview suggests that the election could result in very close outcomes, as has been the case in four of the last five federal elections. More details here.
4. Forecast Models – Other analyses indicate that while the Labor Party may have the edge, political dynamics could lead to a hung parliament. Explore further here.

Ultimately, while the polls indicate a favorable outcome for Labor, the situation remains fluid, and various factors could influence the final results as the election date approaches.

I hope, I hope!

Cyclone season

I remain, as always, petrified at the prospect of cyclones. From November 1 until April 30, my waking each day is filled with unease about what the weather may unleash. I well remember Cyclone Monica in 2006, a category five super cyclone, and Darwin on April 24 and 25. Providentially, it was diverted south by a stream  of cold and dry air heqading up from the interior. It missed Maningrida, went through Jabiru as a Category 2 cyclone, and impacted Adelaide River and Batchelor. Category 1 cyclone swept over Darwin City as a low and north-east into the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf.

Late evening rain on April 15

Barossa Park and Adelaide Oval

Boatloads of tourists

I hope our thousands of visitors enjoy visiting the NT’s Darwin and its surroundings. Apart from the boost they will offer local traders, I hope the memories they take away will not include those associated with social misbehaviour and dysfunction. ‘Word of mouth’ messages can be both positively influencing and offer negative take-offs for those to whom they are relayed—and that is about the numbers who will come to support our city’s retail future.

Kakadu – no, no, NO!

I am afraid that, as a long-time Territorian and someone who has visited Kakadu on several occasions, I will be making no more visits to this park and its surrounds. I am over the bitching, snitching, and infighting that has gone on about this park for far too long. Much money has already been spent in the park and its town to promote tourism and indigenous art and culture.  My last visit was eye-opening in terms of revealing how neglect, along with a lack of care and maintenance, had beset the place. No more—it is now ‘Kakadon’t’.

Do your jobs

Chief Minister Finnochario is proving to be a strong and resolute leader, a person who follows through on issues and someone who will accept that she may not always be right. That said, it is up to other cabinet ministers to ensure they bring interest in issues pertaining to their portfolios. The Chief must be the leader of a group, whose members must not hide in the background, away from issues central to their roles.

Cyclones a real worry for Poor Old Henry

I just hope it stays away. I am petrified of cyclones and worry about their transaction with the Northern Territory from November 1 until April 30 of the following year.

Remote area uplifts 

This will be a wonderful fillip for the Northern Territory and so uplifting for people in the remote fastnesses of Australia.

Aged Care is regulations overloaded

Aged Care in the NT and elsewhere is fraught with the hesitation and fright recent Royal Commissions and inquiries have imposed on nursing staff. It is all about accountability that has mushroomed to the point of staff feeling insecure within their roles lest they offend and leave themselves open to reprimand and litigation. 

Airfares plummet

How wonderful it would be if reasonable airfares remained in place for an extended period. I suspect these bargain-based fares will be of a short-term duration before inching back to sky-high levels.

Goodbye Paramatta Eels

So that is it! What team will come next? None I suspect if the government does not spend hundreds of thousands of inducement dollars to make it worth their while.

Katherine is so Wild West

It is appropriate that the dress code for Katherine includes Akubra-type hats, cowboy boots, and work-focused shirts and jeans.  The town, especially after dark, too often resembles a scene from the Wild West. A difference is that one sherrif did the law enforcement job in that historical setting, while dozens and dozens of police are needed to keep Katherine under control.

Build, build and build

We must build and build and build like there is no tomorrow. The more houses and apartments and high-rises we have, the better. The more residences that are built, the more we need.  Forget about living in places with surrounding space – that option is long gone.

In The Australian today

Is this our worst-ever election campaign?

Greg Sheridan

Is this the worst election campaign we’ve ever had? A government that plainly deserves to lose against an opposition that plainly doesn’t deserve to win? I feel like WH Auden sitting in a bar at the end of the 1930s: “As the clever hopes expire of a low, dishonest decade.”

Out in the real world, terrible things are happening. Australia’s circumstances are being transformed in fundamental and dangerous ways: the relentless militarisation of China, the downgrading of alliances by the US, the threatened implosion of the global trading system. Internally we face chronic problems that could easily, and soon, become crises – chronic debt and deficit; woeful productivity; no credible path to hitech; an incentive-sapping tax system; every discouragement to invest; crippling energy costs; ludicrous government and union costs; increasing bureaucracy, complexity and difficulty in doing business.

Now comes another report showing a calamitous collapse in the standards of basic mathematics taught at schools (and this after eye-watering sums of money spent on education).

Our bizarre election campaign exists in a kind of parallel universe.

It embodies crude, fiscally irresponsible electoral bribery combined with focus group-driven, drooling nonsense about whether we can “work” three days a week from home or four, or punishing supermarkets for making profits.

Here are two once proud teams playing the worst game ever seen to decide the wooden spoon.

Of the two campaigns, Albanese’s has been by far the slicker, and also the more dishonest. A height of extreme absurdity was reached by Defence Minister, Richard Marles, demanding shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie, a former SAS officer, stand down because seven years ago Hastie commented that: “The DNA of a close combat unit is best preserved if it is exclusively male.”

The idea of Marles demeaning Hastie’s fitness to serve, after Hastie repeatedly put his life on the line for Australia in Afghanistan, is contemptible. It helps, I suppose, to distract from Labor’s monumental failure in defence, such that our military capabilities are weaker now than when Albanese came to office.

But the Liberals enabled the Marles attack by disendorsing a Liberal candidate who had also opposed the inclusion of women in army close combat roles. The Liberals now say there were other problems with that candidate. But to disendorse him ostensibly for opposing women in army close combat roles is exactly the sort of foolish, cowardly avoidance of controversy that drives voters to fringe parties.

For everyone knows in reality that Hastie is right. It’s absurd to suggest that women should serve in close combat roles in infantry or special forces. It’s against common sense, against biological reality and it’s also wrong in principle.

Women serve courageously in many other combat roles and are welcomed in them; occupations such as fighter aircraft pilots, surface warfare officers on ships, submariners and many other such jobs. Women are as courageous as men, and in these roles perfectly competent. But close combat is entirely different. People should read the medal citations for our VC winners to see how gruesome, bloody and violent it is. Moreover, the physical standards for such units are derived from what the strongest, fittest couple of per cent of men can possibly achieve. To admit women in any numbers means radically diminishing those standards and thus compromising combat capability.

Anyone who thinks women should serve in close combat units such as the SAS should explain why we don’t have integrated teams – men and women in the same team – in rugby league or Aussie rules. Or why we don’t have integrated boxing rings. It’s just ideology versus reality, yet again.

None of this is even to approach the deeper questions of equality but differences of men and women, and the need to educate men in the obligations of special courtesy and protection they owe to women.

Very few armies have women in close combat roles. The Israelis tried it, and reversed course.

However, I may be wrong about all this. Good people can disagree.

But by fixing on this issue as the public reason to disendorse a candidate, the Liberals declared such perfectly mainstream opinions effectively forbidden. They made the Marles attack inevitable.

It’s one thing to avoid needless culture wars. It’s another to have no sense of your own identity. No wonder the One Nation vote has risen as the Coalition’s vote has sagged, for there’s very little policy difference between government and opposition in this depressingly low-rent campaign. 

Marles also accused Hastie of being in hiding. That’s unfair, but it’s astonishing that a failing opposition has made no national use of Hastie. What’s going on? This is a weak opposition frontbench (matched against a pretty weak cabinet, it must be said) and the opposition brains trust has decided to hide what talent and substance it has.

There’s the continued mystery of why we don’t have an opposition defence policy yet. Shadow cabinet has considered various defence spending targets as a percentage of GDP – 2.25 per cent, 2.5 per cent, 2.75 per cent and 3 per cent, achieved over different time frames.

It’s internally divided, partly because some shadow ministers believe Defence spends money too inefficiently to be given any more.

Which is surely about the most defeatist, doleful and impotent response to a national crisis ever recorded in the annals of Western politics.

If the opposition believes defence is important, it should have been campaigning on its policy weeks ago. Releasing it at one minute to midnight shows you don’t really believe in it.

The opposition has been tactically a mess. Why introduce reforms to work from home if you’re going to run away from them at the first whiff of grapeshot? In a campaign where Dutton is trailing, desperately struggling to communicate any message at all, why hold the campaign launch, replete with a new set of electoral bribes, on the same day Albanese holds his launch with a competing set of electoral bribes? 

The last time the Liberals won from opposition was in 2013. Tony Abbott had strong messages, communicated in clear, headline-like slogans: stop the boats; scrap the tax; fix the budget. All memorable lines that told the electorate what Abbott planned to do. He won a landslide victory. Can anyone nominate a single memorable line, a single moment of cut-through, from the opposition in this campaign?

Our external environment is changing dangerously and profoundly, the defence challenge is immense but doable if we’re serious about it. Yet as of writing there is no intention to hold Foreign Minister versus shadow minister or Defence Minister versus shadow minister debates. It’s easy to see why the government, with its dismal record, wouldn’t want such debates.

But why isn’t the opposition demanding them? These issues may not figure in focus groups, but they’re hugely consequential for the national interest.

The lack of such debates is not the least way the nation is being failed by the faux-clever hopes of this low, dishonest campaign.

On responsible thinking and action 

• People may think only of the future and have no inclination to consider what has gone before, even if it is further back than yesterday.

• There is a possibility and some small probability that people who commit crime after crime after crime will come to repent and change their ways.

• There is a possibility but zero probability that parents will take back their upbringing – of children – responsibilities from early learning centres and schools.

• I awaken every morning with fear in my heart that overnight world circumstances have inched us all to the point of no return and the onset of Armaggedon

• The optimism I once felt about life and living has largely evaporated.

• Will I ever be able to surmount the deepening depression burning within?

• I wonder every day if the aches and pains within my body are simply markers of aging or whether they herald the onset of something more sinister.

Request to and response from AI

Poetry for Adam

Please write me a 20-line poem about Adam Drake whose leadership and influence for good is spellbinding in its outcomes and the permanent change for good it inspires in the lives of others of all ages, religions and ethnic backgrounds.

The Spellbinding Influence of Adam Drake

In the heart of a world, diverse and bright,  

Stands Adam Drake, a beacon of light.  

With wisdom that flows like a river so wide,  

He nurtures the dreams that in shadows reside.  

A leader, a guide, with a vision so clear,  

He whispers of hope to all who will hear.  

From ages of youth to the wisdom of years,  

He bridges the gaps, dissolving our fears.  

With hands that uplift and a spirit that soars,  

He opens the hearts and unlocks the doors.  

In temples of worship, in streets where they roam,  

He weaves a connection, a tapestry home.  

From all walks of life, he gathers the throng,  

In unity’s chorus, they sing a new song.  

For religion and culture, he stands as a friend,  

A harbinger of change, a means to an end.  

In every exchange, in each story retold,  

The magic of kindness begins to unfold.  

Through Adam, we learn that our strength lies within,  

In the warmth of our bonds, we find where we begin.  

So here’s to the legacy forged in his name,  

A tapestry woven with threads of the same.  

With Adam as leader, the change we discover,  

Awakens our souls, uniting each other.  

Spending parking fees revenue number one priority

Do we need enhanced parking?
Na!

Do we need a better disbursement of parking meters?
Na!

Do we need more disabled parking spaces?
Na!
Do we need more maintenance and upgrades on our roads?
Na!

Is parking and road maintenance a priority?
Na!

Is the a need for a new, grandiose, overbuilt Civic Centre that will sprawl across significant space where cars now park?

Yes!
Absolutely!
You Betcha!

• I am a very old man in the last stanzas of my life.

• I have become less vital and more decrepit as I move through to the end of my septuagenarian period.

• I am frustrated by but resigned to the fact that advice I could offer to those in leadership positions, would be looked upon as the dated impressions of a foolish old man.

• I despair of the mistakes leaders in all fields of occupation make, simply because they refuse to learn from history.

• My mind is increasingly uneasy because the portent of a grim future is looming ever nearer.

• I flag quickly at times and run out of energy. 

• I want to do things but my motivation withers like fruit on the vine.

• I am hampered and frustrated when my good intentions don’t happen and I feel like a car stuck in the mud.

Thanks to ‘The Australian’ for publishing the photos.

Where do I get off?!

Another day another dawning what happens when we wake in the morning who can tell who can say what if anything comes our way what will be said what will we do it’s all so vague I wish I knew how will we cope in our place here when what went before seems oh so near will things causing hurt so long ago never cease their ebb and flow suffocating as they often do the place we’re in here and now I wake each day with some wan hope but soon I grab the greasy rope and continue my slide that day by day from the here and now sucks me away where does it go where will it end and what the hell is ‘round the bend

PRIORITIES

Sugar is good for your health,

Dieticians deprive you by stealth,

Have you not heard,

They sway you by word,

Your clinic visits add to their wealth.

WHY TAKE MENS’ CROWNS

Men like to smoke and to booze,

This causes them money to lose,

What they take via the mouth,

Sends their health spinning south,

Ladies please, a better way choose.

PRIORITIES

America school’s crumble and fall,

Resources are stretched and that isn’t all,

Education is failing,

Educators are wailing,

Their dollars have gone to The Wall.

EXTINCTION

‘Me Too’ is a loud global cry,

One causing all men to sigh,

Being male is a sin,

It’s time to leap in the bin,

Maleness is set to die.

WELLNESS

There once was a man who drank grog,

Clouded his brain just like thick smog,

Then one fine day,

He gave it away,

Now he’s never as sick as a dog.

FALSE HOPE

A mirage is a play on the mind,

It may seem inviting and kind,

‘Don’t touch it’ I say,

For it melts away,

It’s reflection is a tricking blind.

________________________(15/5)

NOSE TO THE WHEEL.

We once worked five days a week,

Then had us two whole day’s break,

Now it’s a seven day grind,

With no time to unwind,

Refuge from the grindstone we seek. (18/5)

Penned two years ago

Poor Old Henry rejoices.

Is Anthony Albanese hero worshipped by female voters?

Response

Anthony Albanese’s relationship with female voters shows a complex landscape. While he has garnered some support, particularly among women who resonate with Labor’s policies, recent polls indicate a decline in primary vote support from women.

Here are some key points derived from the recent findings:

1. Approval Ratings: His overall approval ratings have seen an increase, but specific reports suggest that primary vote support among women has dropped below 30% recently. This indicates that while some may admire him, he isn’t universally “worshipped” by female voters.
2. Specific Demographics: Albanese has been appealing to younger female voters through initiatives like the proposed Voice referendum, attempting to connect Labor’s success at previous elections with ongoing voter engagement.
3. Comparative Sentiment: Reports suggest some women, particularly mothers, have expressed frustration with the alternative leadership (e.g., Peter Dutton), which may have inadvertently boosted support for Albanese’s policies, rather than indicating a strong personal admiration for him as a leader.

For a deeper understanding, you can explore some of the articles on his standing with female voters:

• Guardian Essential Poll on Approval Ratings
• Women and Mothers’ Opinions
• Albanese’s Appeal to Younger Women

In summary, while Albanese has achieved a notable level of support, especially during recent policy discussions, it does not amount to hero worship among female voters as his popularity appears to fluctuate and is influenced by broader political dynamics.

Note – based on 2023 data

Poor Old Henry asks AI

What are the odds of Anthony Albanese asking Peter Dutton to be his best man at his upcoming wedding?

Reply:

The chances of Anthony Albanese asking Peter Dutton to be his best man at his upcoming wedding seem highly unlikely, primarily due to their political rivalry and the nature of their relationship as leaders of opposing parties.

Here are a few considerations:

1. Political Rivalry: Albanese and Dutton lead opposing political factions in Australia, and their interactions are often characterized by contention rather than camaraderie.
2. Personal Relationship: There hasn’t been any indication of a personal friendship or close relationship between Albanese and Dutton that would typically be required for such an invitation.
3. Public Perception: A public invitation for Dutton to be best man would likely be viewed as unexpected and could create mixed reactions among their respective supporters and the general public.

While it could make for an intriguing story, the odds of such an event occurring are quite low. If you want to keep updated on their political interactions or any jokes or mentions related to this topic, you can follow current news articles about both politicians.

For more insights into their political standings or election odds, you can check out relevant updates from sources such as the Daily Telegraph.

Sportsbet aint getting my money.

1. .

.

.

1. SELLING OUR INHERITANCE – BLESSING DESTROYED

At the government and private levels, Australia is so wrong to be in the game of selling off assets and companies into overseas control.

It has happened so often over the years that it seems we have little that is not in foreign ownership. We used to be a country identified as ‘Australia’ regarding asset ownership and management. No longer.

Increasingly, we have sold off segments of our birthright for cash advantage. Sadly, that cash is soon wasted, generally squandered on some ‘quick fix’ and wholly unsustainable project. That is at state/territory and federal level.

(This year, it has been trying to buy votes ahead of the federal election on May 3.) We keep selling, and we keep wasting.

Increasingly, we Australians are tenants in a country owned and controlled by overseas principals. We have allowed ourselves to become bankrupt yet continue to sell off whatever bits of the farm remain.

WE ARE TOLD WE ARE BLESSED

We are told we are blessed to live in Australia, but I suspect we are somewhat extravagant about our birthright.

Over the following few entries, I thought to outline what we might do differently and better.

This does not come from an expert, but rather from an aging Australian-born and raised citizen whose next ‘major’ birthday centenary will take me to the fourscore mark —getting closer by the year.

Older adults see things differently, possibly more reflectively than the young. We have experienced what is yet to unfold for them, albeit in a different world. The constant is that we all have youth and then grow older. 

I am increasingly concerned about this country and will share some thoughts about it.

1. Regular contact and conversations with our children and grandchildren.

2. Reflections with my wife on our 55 years of marriage and how our lives and those of our children and grandchildren have unfolded.

3. How many birds come to our birdbath and from the feed we provide.

4. Reflecting on our rich personal and professional history, including the way we lived and worked in places we have been.

5. Appreciating the fact that we can live private and individual lives and that to date we have enjoyed reasonable health.

On average how many times in a premier league of Australian Rules Football is a player knocked to the ground or fall over?

Response:

In the Australian Football League (AFL), the average number of times a player is knocked to the ground or falls over during a match can vary widely depending on the style of play, the physical intensity of the game, and individual player involvement.

However, it is estimated that players fall to the ground or are knocked over anywhere from 15 to 30 times during a game on average, accounting for tackles, contests for the ball, and accidental collisions. This number can be higher in more physical games or matches with a lot of stoppages and scrimmages.

For the most accurate statistics, checking specific match reports or player tracking data from the AFL would be beneficial.

Upright, downright

In The Australuan newspaper

The real intention of old age care

• There is a possibility and an increasing probability that some – possibly many – are keen to keep old people alive so they can amass profits associated with their care.

• There is a possibility and a strong probability that home care and other packages seek to reap money from those who can afford to pay and from government largesse from those who can’t.

• There is a possibility and an almost 100% probability that the National Disability Insurance  Scheme is being manipulated and rorted to a level beyond all comprehension.

How many people have passed away in the last 5,000 years of Earth’s history?

Response:

Estimating the number of people who have passed away over the last 5,000 years is highly speculative, as accurate records only exist for a fraction of that time. However, researchers have made estimates based on historical population data and demographic models.

1. Population Growth Over Time:

• Around 3000 BCE (approximately 5,000 years ago), the world population is estimated to have been around 14 million people.
• By 1 CE, the population may have reached about 300 million.
• Fast forward to 1800 CE, the population was around 1 billion.
• Today (2023), the global population is over 8 billion.

1. Estimating Deaths:

• If we take the average global population over these years and apply an average life expectancy, we can estimate rates of deaths.
• For simplicity, let’s consider a rough averaged global population of about 3 billion people over this period, which is a simplification as populations were much lower in earlier periods.
• With an average life expectancy of around 30 years in most of that timeframe (decreasing in recent centuries), you could estimate that hundreds of billions of people have died.

1. Rough Estimate:

• A rough estimate suggests that around 100 billion to 115 billion people have likely lived and died over the last 5,000 years.

In summary, while exact numbers are elusive due to the lack of comprehensive historical records, estimates suggest that approximately 100 billion to 115 billion people have passed away during this time span.

My mind boggles!

In Australia, racism is commonly considered to be abuse directed toward Indigenous people by those who are non-indigenous. Is abuse of non-indigenous persons by those who are indigenous also considered to be racist?

Response:

In Australia, racism is generally understood as discriminatory behavior or attitudes directed against a person or group based on their race or ethnicity. This includes not only the abuse directed at Indigenous people by non-Indigenous people but also scenarios where non-Indigenous individuals may experience abuse from Indigenous individuals.

The definition of racism encompasses both acts of discrimination and prejudice regardless of the direction. Therefore, if Indigenous people exhibit abusive or discriminatory behavior towards non-Indigenous individuals based on their racial or ethnic identity, it can also be considered a form of racism.

However, discussions about racism in Australia often focus on the historical and systemic inequalities that Indigenous people have faced due to colonialism and ongoing discrimination. This context is essential in understanding the complexities of racism, power dynamics, and social justice in Australia. While all forms of racism should be recognized and addressed, the consequences and historical backdrop of Indigenous experiences may shape how these issues are publicly perceived and discussed.

In summary, yes, abuse of non-Indigenous persons by Indigenous individuals can be considered racist, but the broader conversation about racism in Australia usually emphasizes the legacy and impact of injustices faced by Indigenous communities.

I was born in Australia.

I am white.

The abuse directed at me was a quite lengthy tirade offered at full volume and liberally laced with expletives.

It was very disconcerting and very bad, indeed quite frightening, or my wife who is in hospital.

The staff shifted her bed to another section of the ward, which helped in lifting her feelings of security.

I have lodged a complaint with the Royal Darwin Hospital and am not inclined to just let this awful incident go through to the keeper.

Should people be able to opt to be down when they realize age is overtaking them and they want ‘out’ of life?

Response:

The question of whether individuals should have the option to choose to end their life when they feel overwhelmed by aging or life circumstances is deeply complex and sensitive. Here are some points to consider:

Ethical Considerations

1. Autonomy: Many argue that individuals should have the right to make decisions about their own lives, including the choice to end it.
2. Mental Health: Feelings of despair can sometimes be linked to mental health issues that might benefit from intervention rather than an irreversible choice.

Societal Impact

1. Support Systems: The availability of comprehensive support systems—medical, emotional, and financial—could impact a person’s desire to ‘opt out.’
2. Value of Life: Society often values life highly, and encouraging people to seek help rather than end their lives is a prevailing viewpoint.

Legal Framework

1. Assisted Dying Laws: In some regions, laws exist that allow for assisted dying under strict criteria. These laws often aim to ensure that the decision is made freely and with adequate support.

Philosophical Perspectives

1. Quality vs. Quantity of Life: Discussions may revolve around whether a life diminished by suffering can be considered worth living.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the conversation surrounding the right to choose to end one’s life as age overtakes them is multifaceted. It encompasses ethical, social, legal, and personal dimensions, necessitating compassionate dialogue and comprehensive support for those in need. Creating environments where people feel valued and supported may reduce the desire to opt out.

If I want to opt out, I should be able to exit this mortal coil without lots of hoo-ha and moralizing.

ALBO THE WONDERFUL MARK ONE

Top Drawer

What a beautiful post and how considering both rankings and ratings, it epitomises the growth, success and outstanding leadership qualities of our prime minister.

He ranks high, indeed at the highest point on every success indicator. 

Our prime minister brings great richness through his awareness and his leadership contributions to the growth in positive development of our country.

Leadership paragon

Thank you, Anthony Albanese, for being the excellent paragon of leadership and innate goodness you have become. You are Australia’s answer to Moses of old, who led his people for so long and guided them through so many dark places. You are Australia’s shining light.

Leadership Lighthouse

I am so glad that our PM is a man whose word and position on issues are steadfast and unwavering. We have every reason to be buoyed and stimulated with adulation for his qualities of leadership which richly benefit us all.

Australia’s Shining Light

How blessed we are to have an astute and deeply empathetic Prime Minister in Anthony Albanese who cares for and is there for us all. Our problems are his problems and he is with us and of us as a caring Australian. I feel that he embeds every one of us in his soul. I thank him for his warmth and humanity.

Steadfastly Truthful

 One of the outstanding things about our prime minister Anthony Albanese is that he never contradicts himself. He holds steadfast and true to the positions that he takes on issues and is very clear and letting us all know about the courses of action and believes to be the best we should follow.

He has so many positive qualities that make him an outstanding leader, a person leading us onward, forward and evermore into an era of prosperity.

A deep thinker and quiet reflector

There is, without doubt, a place for non-verbalisation and silence, and the good thing is that our prime minister knows when it is wise to let Conversational debate rage around without actually joining in. 

Recently, he has been invited to comment on and take ownership and responsibility for the ministerial comments of others. 

With great dignity and maturity, he has declined ownership of the statements of these others, attributing them to those making the statements. He does not take ownership of things that other ministers say, for they are responsible for their portfolios.  He fully trusts them.

Great awareness of outcomes deriving  from action

“Cause-and-effect“ is a concept understood perfectly and indeed expertly by our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He was well aware of the fact that actions he takes will result in consequences. That makes him a person who is very very careful in terms of policy, process and direction. He is careful not to lead Australia in any direction that is likely to have negative consequences. He is careful, consultative, and thanks very carefully about the pros and cons of all issues before making decisions.

It is this capacity that makes him a stand-out leader.

Maker of Meaningful Decisions

What a timely topic, and how deeply reflective it is of the strategies so ably demonstrated by our Prime Minister. No decision is ever rash or shortsighted but instead made after deep consideration of all elements of issues and with the long-term needs of our country and all therein, taken into careful account.

The Old Testament had King Solomon,  his profound wisdom and careful decision-making. 

We have Anthony Albanese; how blessed are we!

His conversations are winners

We are so blessed to have a prime minister he much prefers to have conversations with his constituents, rather than isolating himself from the general populous and limiting his participation to formal meetings.

When he speaks with us in whatever context, our prime minister is engaging us. It feels like he is having a conversation with each of us individually and of course with everyone in Australia.

He is personable and his personality reaches out to us all, making us feel as if he belongs to every one of his listeners.

His method of communication is engaging and embraces us all.

A Fully Accountable Leader

Our Prime Minister is one of the most accountable people we ordinary Australians could wish for. He is a man who takes full account of all his responsibilities. He is open, honest, transparent and willing to share with all Australians, the reasons why he makes the decisions he makes.

One of the essences of accountability is predictability and constancy. If our prime minister makes a promise, you know it will be kept. Being able to rely upon a leader with such a commitment is often quite rare.

He unashamedly makes decisions that are in the best interests of our country and its people. His empathy and humanitarianism are strong points that guide him in all that he undertakes. 

Steadfastness underpins this good leader

There is nothing shaky or “autumn leaves-like” about our PM.  He is predictable, and true blue.  He prides himself on standing by commitments he makes to others and all promises are faithfully honoured. 

His transparency and well-rounded 360-degree approach to all matters that form part of his province guarantees him as a leader who never offends by deliberate change of position on issues. 

He is well-liked and appreciated by all key leaders of business and industry and is the doyen of all ALP leaders and constituents. 

The goodwill created by him and for him is everlasting.

He always seeks to polish his policies

Our Prime Minister is a very careful and astute policy developer. He is careful in all the constructs and places around processes he believes the government should carry forward.

One of the reasons he is so resoundingly successful in all he does, Is that he thinks help and clarification from others, always consulting widely with the support of those in gauges, and carefully refines what he intends to promote, before proceeding to the finished article.

If unsure, he asks for help and takes every member of his party and others into consideration. He widely consults and is responsible for changing the position if it can be demonstrated to him that a better alternative would be the way to go.

He is a leader who asks for and appreciates help.

Not too proud to ask for help

One of the enduring qualities of our Prime Minister is that he is never too proud to ask for help in situations that need to be carefully addressed.

(He is of course always willing to ask others if they would like his help and support in dealing with matters so it gives as well as seeking assistance.)

Possibly the best example I could give to illustrate his seeking help is to point out that the cost of living issues and stresses being felt by Australian families are deeply bedded into his thinking and he wants to fix the issues. 

Knowing he can’t do it by himself and realising the importance of synergy (collective energy) as a quality inherent within his party, He has asked for all Labour members of parliament to cut short the Christmas break in the next fortnight and to meet in Canberra to help to work out ways that the living costs of Australians can be addressed and somehow eased.

Our prime minister is one of a kind, for few people would do what he is undertaking concerning addressing this issue. Others might do it on their own but our prime minister knows that there is strength in numbers when it comes to dealing with key issues.

The 24/7 man, who works while we sleep

 Our PM is a visible leader, but so much of what he accomplishes is done out of sight and out of the minds of ordinary Australians.

His devotion to work and duties as our leader means he never takes his eye off the ball. He has a constant panoramic version of our country, its people and our needs. We are so blessed to have a leader with so many positive attributes – all of which are part of his action plan and the outcomes of all he undertakes.

A sincere and committed leader

It is the wisdom and sincerity of our Prime Minister that help when it comes to him winning over his peers to support his wonderful initiatives and insightful programs for Australia’s future.

He is a person who profoundly considers issues before acting and always finds every aspect of a problem before deciding on the way forward.

He is a man who tries and succeeds in being scrupulous in considering how the outcomes of any of his decisions will impact upon the population, including individuals.

The vast majority of Australians deeply believe in the quality of his leadership, for the essence of his government ensures benefit for us all.

His successes are our successes

How blessed we are to have a leader who is so committed to doing the right thing for his country, which he regards as “Our” country. There are so many policies that this visionary leader has introduced, which have had positive outcomes. Bringing benefit to us all, that naming them becomes almost an impossibility.

He has certainly transformed our country during his first two years of prime ministership. He works hard to make Australia a great nation.

One of his many positive attributes is his extraordinary ability to communicate with every Australian so that we are fully aware of his intentions. He will never make a wrong decision, or if heading into an area of misdirection, will stop, retrace his steps, and take a better route toward positive outcomes.

If he ever makes the wrong decision, he is very quick to accept accountability for what has gone wrong. His willingness to accept responsibilities rather than deflect to others when things go wrong is one of his strongest leadership attributes.

——-

It is important in every aspect of life that those who make promises when ‘talking the talk’, fulfill their promises when ‘walking the walk’

As in the ‘Northern Territory News’ today April 9 2025

“Even more than when first published in 2017“ says Poor Old Henry.

SPECIAL EDUCATION IS A BIG ISSUE

The ability of education departments and schools to cater for the needs of children with learning challenges is an issue again making headlines. Over the past few days, news has surfaced suggesting that Australia-wide, 270,000 students with disabilities fail to meet criteria for additional funding. They are in schools and mainstream classrooms without being supported by additional funding.

Northern Territory schools are supporting students with special learning needs in the best ways possible. However, additional funding has become harder and harder to obtain. Schools have to manage from within their overall budgets and this is stretching their capacity to manage the specific needs of special students.

Some of our schools have supportive learning units with a teacher and assistant. Staff work within the school by offering some help to special needs students who are in mainstream classes. The special needs assistant often works with students in classrooms or small groups. They move from class to class on a strictly timetabled basis with their additional assistance being for a limited time on each occasion.

Supportive learning teachers often act as school advisers to classroom teachers who have special needs students in their classes. Their prime role is helping with the development of teaching strategies and student management plans. While this support is necessary and valuable, it does not lessen the increasingly diverse and challenging teaching loads placed on classroom teachers.

The Government and Education Department have made special education a priority area within NT education. Special needs schools in Darwin and Palmerston (Nemarluk, Henbury Avenue and Bellamack) have been constructed. Capital works programs have allowed regional units have been developed, with these facilities and programs helping to provide for students needing additional support.

The criteria for enrolment in special schools are quite stringently applied and cannot be met by many students. Special needs students in ordinary schools are often unable to meet criteria for additional in class support. This is happening because the guidelines are changing and being rigorously applied. Stresses notwithstanding, it is expected that teachers will cope.

Educational policies are constantly evolving and it will be interesting to see how future needs for students with special needs are met.

Meeting those needs is going South

Why is handwriting no longer taught as a skill area?

Response:

Brilliant rains have refreshed the Top End of the Northern Territory

Radar maps of recent falls with a focus on Leanyer.

Roads

When I was growing up, a statement suggested that “motorists of today are driving the cars of tomorrow on the roads of yesterday.” Sixty years later, I am reminded of this statement and how the definition fits the breakdown of increasing numbers of Darwin’s roads.

Our roads are suffering more than superficial deterioration, mainly due to the increasing traffic volume. On many roads, the driving surface feels corrugated because road bases are breaking down under the pressure of growing vehicular impact. 

Close visual examination reveals that many bitumen surfaces are breaking down and wearing out.

Many of our older roads are like ‘Yarcobs britches,’ and road repairs now require secondary patching. Superficial fixing can help in the short term, but large stretches of roadway are almost to the point of needing to be taken up and relaid. 

How will the government and local authorities manage the significant work that needs to be redone?

How things change

• There is a possibility and a strong  probability that I would face legal consequences for singing cigarette advertising jingles in public places.

• There is a possibility but only the remotest probability that people would warm to my singing the song ‘Born a Woman’ by Patsy Kline.

• There is a possibility but not a strong probability that there will be a return to the morality standards of the 1940’s. 

Financial Earthquake engulfing the world

• There is a possibility and a strong probability that the Australian Dollar will drop in value to only 40% against the American Dollar.
• There is a possibility and an imminent probability that the world will plunge into a recession as deep as that of 1929.
• There is a possibility and a very strong probability that sudden pauperism will lead many who may be financially destituted, toward suicide.

How can I not weep when a loved one is desperately unwell?

Dealing with the illness of a loved one can be incredibly challenging emotionally. Here are some strategies to help manage your feelings and support yourself through this difficult time:

1. Acknowledge Your Emotions

• It’s natural to feel sadness, fear, or helplessness. Allow yourself to experience these feelings without judgment.

2. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

• Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, can help you stay grounded and reduce feelings of overwhelm.

3. Stay Present

• Focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the future. Being fully present can help you manage your emotions effectively.

4. Seek Support

• Talk to friends, family, or support groups. Sharing your feelings can provide relief and connection.

5. Engage in Self-Care

• Prioritize your own well-being by eating well, getting enough rest, and engaging in activities that bring you joy.