Blog

I referred yesterday to a monthly magazine that I read – ‘Crosslight’ [published by the UCA] –  there was another article in the December edition which I considered worthy of retaining, and sharing, and while I have some reservations as to whether the basic argument expressed in that article is as extensive as suggested [I still think there is a lot of good ‘journalism’ around, not just ‘opinion’ pieces,    there were a number of interesting points which will no doubt, in a future edition, lead to some controversial and/or  varied responses or reactions.  The following is the item I’m referring to.

Titled ‘Media – Information or misinformation’ from Crosslight, Dec, 3^rd, 2011 written by Penny Mulvey

“Have you noticed a change in the way news is presented? Mainstream media no longer seeks objectivity, instead dwelling on the superficial, the argumentative – almost relishing the fight. Our media has fallen in love with combat and so too have we, the consumer. A feature article on commentator Andrew Bolt in the Good Weekend (19/11/11) neatly encapsulated the way our news media has been hijacked by opinion. No longer is news driven by beautifully researched and crafted pieces of journalism, instead it has been reduced to a series of sound bites and headlines.   Journalist John van Tiggelen, in writing about Bolt, said: “He (Bolt) became particularly adept at recasting almost any political debate, be it on reconciliation, refugee policy, conservation, multiculturalism, the judicial system or global warming, into an ‘us versus them’ conflict.”

According to the article, more than five million Australians tune into Bolt’s blog each week. He blogs all day, pouring out his opinion on everything and anything from five in the morning til midnight, each and every day. Some of those people then contribute their own strongly worded opinion on Bolt’s rant. The heat rises and rises and whatever the facts might have existed become increasingly irrelevant.

The spring edition of the Quarterly Essay featured an extended paper by academic Robert Manne titled ‘Bad News, Murdoch’s Australian and the shaping of the nation’. In it he forensically argued that the Australian newspaper had become a right wing voice piece for its owner Rupert Murdoch. Manne was one of a few academics invited to give evidence to last month’s fleeting Media enquiry in which he repeated his deeply held concerns about the News Limited empire’s near media-monopoly in Australia of.  Manne’s essay is a strongly evidence-based attack on the national paper for its perceived anti-government, anti-climate change, strongly ideological viewpoints. In his introduction, Manne writes: “The Australian is ruthless in pursuit of those who oppose its worldview – market fundamentalism, minimal action on climate change, the federal Intervention in indigenous affairs, uncritical support for the American alliance and for Israel, opposition to what it calls political correctness and moral relativism.”

At a recent conference Lachlan Harris, former press secretary to Kevin Rudd, spoke of what he described as ‘the opinion cycle’ replacing ‘the news cycle’. If you have been scratching your head wondering why it is so difficult to find news in The Saturday Age (predominantly replaced by feature, opinion and colour pieces), Harris explained why. Opinion rules.   Journalists no longer even attempt to provide objective reporting. Our politicians speak in five-second sound grabs. Policy has been replaced by entertainment. It becomes increasingly difficult to separate fantasy from reality, even our politicians become confused, as we see our Prime Minister appearing as a special guest on Junior Master Chef, and the Opposition Leader slicing fish at the fish markets or shovelling dirt at a mine just for the cameras.  Former federal minister for finance, Lindsay Tanner, in his book Sideshow, dumbing down democracy (published earlier this year), looks at the symbiotic relationship between politicians and journalists. He quotes veteran journalist, David Salter, who believes that editors don’t want to scare off readers with too much information:  “Frightened that readers and viewers might be bored by any substantial treatment of policy issues, editors and producers now reduce politics to little more than opinion polls, gossip and gaffes.” Ideas are presented in black and white terms, there is no room for nuance or shades of grey.

How does the Uniting Church, a church of nuance and complexity, present more considered thinking. The only way to be quoted is to have an extreme view and to present it in a colourful manner. If the church wants to give a more thoughtful response to such important societal issues as our response to asylum seekers and refugees; our care for the environment; or prison reform – which we all know are emotive but complex – there is no room for it. If the church tries, its views are reduced and caricatured.  Eric Beecher, chairman of Private Media, in talking about this ‘dumbing down’ of information, says it is a story of how not enough people care about ideas ahead of money.  “The future of serious journalism is under threat in large part because it has been replaced by entertainment at the heart of the media power edifice,” Mr Beecher said.

Ideally, the media should act as our canary in the mine. At its best it provides the prophetic voice.  A free press plays a vital role in our society. Without it we become a China, an Egypt, or a Libya. An independent media in whatever form it might take (online, print, radio or TV), but one that has ethics and integrity and transparency, that questions and prods. I don’t want censorship; it is what makes our democratic society.

We need our media, for it is trained, articulate and independent journalists who will keep our leaders honest”

So what do we think, has the ‘news cycle’ being replaced by a constant ‘opinion cycle’  – we are no longer getting the news, but what writers think the news should be saying to those who are listening or reading?   I really don’t think it is that bad  – admittedly, the weekend papers for example do these days include  a lot of ‘opinion’ type pages and features, perhaps more so than in the past, and the writers concerned, do in many cases have considerable influence on public perceptions, etc. I don’t think that is new however – maybe a bit more prevalent, in view of the way in which the availability of news and opinions has changed with the advent of the internet, etc,  I will be interested to see what reactions there are to  Ms Mulvey’s article, although if those responses simply come from readers of Crosslight, they will probably be more prepared to accept her findings! We shall see!!

I undertook an afternoon ‘Christmas shopping’ trip across to a couple of major shopping centres today – and virtually came back frustrated and empty handed, couldn’t find what I was looking for, or more to the point, wasn’t sure what I was looking for!! [Not as unlucky as daughter Jodie – bought a few gifts this afternoon, and promptly had them stolen from her car while she and Susie were playing volleyball!!]. I also found myself getting quickly annoyed with the traffic, the parking, and a left ankle, which was not yet taking too kindly to too much ‘exercise’ after the weekend’s mishap!   So I returned to Sunbury late afternoon feeling a little dissatisfied, and determined that my Christmas shopping was going to be completed in Sunbury despite the obvious wider choice in bigger centres. Despite schools gradually winding down, this time of year meant the traffic on most of the roads was fairly chaotic, and since leaving the daily peak hour grind in October, I’m not keen on tolerating too much of it these days.  I think the only useful thing I did upon returning to Sunbury [apart from cooking a late meal for myself and Susan, who was eating at home for a change after a late game of volleyball] was another quick visit to the radio station to help out a presenter on air who had a minor technical query  – that should bring a laugh to anyone who knows me, Bill helping someone with a technical problem!!!!

I’d been up at the radio earlier this morning – quite early in fact, from just before 6am – filling in for the regular Wednesday morning presenter, from 6am to 9am. Whilst it may have been a little difficult to get up initially, after another poor and restless sleep, I thoroughly enjoyed that 3 hours – a mix of music, sport, news, weather, etc, etc!!! I didn’t have the interviews that Ron normally conducts – he had told them all that he would be away for a few weeks, and they were probably glad of a break also, and I was not too concerned either…………………..as readers will have gathered by now, I do enjoy my time behind the microphones at the radio station!!

 

Today’s weather has been quite pleasant actually, and, has really only warmed up considerably during the afternoon. I think I spent about four hours in Sunbury today, with various tasks on the agenda of ‘potential achievement., and I think that by the end of the day, I was feeling reasonably satisfied with progress.  Even managed a  ‘coffee date’ with a friend from the church, who, despite my permanent absences over the past year or so, still keeps me up to date with regular copies of the newsletters, and the UCA’s Crosslight Magazine.  I’m still there [at the Church] in spirit, if not in body!!

In actual fact, the December edition of ‘Crosslight’ which Helen gave me today, contains  an interesting perspective on the four Gospels of the New Testament [from the Christian Bible] describing them as ‘Four movements in the Christmas pastoral symphony  – using Beethoven’s  Sixth Symphony [the ‘Pastoral’ Symphony] as a comparative point. I won’t try and go into that article here, but it is basically talking about the four different approaches of St, Mark, St, Matthew, St. Luke & St John to how they treat and refer to the ‘Christmas story’ in their respective Gospels. Written by Randall Prior and Gary Deverell, the introductory paragraph, puts the subject of the article into a précis style context. While I accept that many readers may not have any interest in the content of what was written,  I’ve discovered that I can share it anyway, as the description of the four different approaches by Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, do actually make quite interesting reading in ways that I, for one, had not previously taken much note of.  So from the December 2011 edition of the Crosslight Magazine ass produced by the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania, this is the ‘Christmas Reflection’ on that subject.

Four Movements in the Christmas Pastoral Symphony.

Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral Symphony’, the sixth of his nine symphonies, was recently performed by the Australian Chamber Orchestra. It is a wonderful symphony. It was inspired by Beethoven’s deep love for nature, experienced on walks through the woods of Germany’s Heillingenstadt. Through the varied movements of the symphony, Beethoven captures nature’s beauty, diversity and activity, so as to evoke in its hearers, that same love for nature which he feels.

We may consider the four gospels of the New Testament as comprising a ‘pastoral symphony’, but pastoral, not in the sense of nature’s varied landscape, but in the sense of the news of God’s life-giving Word spoken into the varied contexts of the early church. In distinctive and different ‘movements’, the four gospel writers have been inspired by the ‘landscape’ of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Each in their own unique way has put pen to paper so that readers may also be inspired by a timely pastoral word.

This article considers the Christmas stories of each of the four gospels and how we in our time might be inspired by a pastoral word spoken into our human life and history from the diversity of their unique accounts.

St Mark

It may seem odd to refer to a gospel which, in the case of St Mark, contains no account at all of the Christmas story. However, the absence of such an account and the way in which this gospel writer ‘paints the landscape’ of Jesus is instructive for appreciating the birth stories which appear in the other gospels.

St Mark begins by telling us that he is writing a ‘gospel’, a declaration of ‘good news’. What we therefore find in this writing and, indeed, in the writings of the other three ‘gospels’, is not a biography, telling the life-story of Jesus from his birth to his death. Nor is a ‘gospel’ primarily a history book, recording memorable events of Jesus’ life so that these may be preserved in time. A ‘gospel’ is a declaration of good news, not about who this man Jesus was who lived a long time ago, but about who this man Jesus is as one who is risen from the dead.

The ‘gospel’ of St Mark – as also the ‘gospels’ of Saints Matthew, Luke and John – was written in the light of the Easter event and sets out why people of all generations might therefore consider his story as genuinely gospel for their own lives.

For these reasons, St Mark tells us nothing of the first thirty years of Jesus’ life. After setting Jesus’ life in the context of Old Testament prophecy and John the Baptist, he moves swiftly through the baptism and temptation accounts, to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, announced with the words: ‘The time has come, the kingdom of God is near, repent and believe the good news’. In other words, what has happened in the life of Jesus of Nazareth is nothing less than the arrival of the long-awaited coming of the presence of God’s kingdom.

Thus, as St Mark writes his gospel, the events and stories he records set out the ways in which God’s rule brings new life to a world plagued by evil, suffering and death, with the climax coming in the Easter event. The centrality of the Easter event is indicated in the fact that, after omitting any reference to the first thirty years of Jesus’ life, Mark devotes his last eight chapters to record the events of Jesus’ final days.

The particular focus which Mark gives to his record of the Easter event is also important. For Mark, the ‘good news’ about Jesus is that in his life, death and resurrection, God engages with the reality of evil, suffering and death, in its most hellish forms. Thus, Mark records in detail the experience of Jesus’ own suffering and anguish, climaxing in the cry of dereliction from the cross ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ The resurrection of this forsaken Jesus becomes God’s protest against, and victory over, the forces of evil and death that plague and dehumanize the world. In other words, in Jesus of Nazareth, God embraces the worst of all human suffering and hell, and determines that the last word is life. He who was raised from the dead was he who descended into hell, says the Apostles’ Creed.

What then of St Mark’s ‘symphonic movement’ and the Christmas season?

St Mark would have us remember that we cannot come to the Christmas stories without seeing them through the spectacles of Easter. It is the good news which is grounded in the Easter event which gives shape to the Christmas stories in each of the gospels. It is artificial and unhelpful then to separate in time the Christmas and Easter stories. They are one and the same.

Therefore, we are invited to hear within the Christmas stories, the symphonic sounds of Easter, which for Mark, is the music which declares that, in Jesus Christ, God has come amongst us to engage with, and to overcome the worst of evil, suffering and hell in human life. That just may be a timely pastoral word for us.

St Matthew

Unlike St Mark, St Matthew gives detailed attention to the birth of Jesus. He opens with a genealogy, not primarily as biographical family tree but as ‘gospel’. Beginning with Abraham, the father of the chosen people Israel, this genealogy traces forty-two generations to Jesus. The birth of Jesus marks the beginning of the seventh lot of seven generations, where the number ‘seven’ symbolises perfection or completion. Already we see a glimpse of Matthew’s unique picture of Jesus. St Matthew declares: Jesus is the one in whom the call to Abraham, and the hopes and promises of that call, are finally fulfilled, not only for Israel, but for all nations. The ‘symphonic movement’ which is Matthew’s gospel gives expression to this bold declaration of good news, climaxing in the Easter event which establishes Jesus’ authority over heaven and earth and authorises a mission to all nations.

Dominant in the birth story told by Matthew is the way in which he parallels this with the story of the exodus of the people of Israel. So striking are these parallels that it is clear that Matthew wants to make it clear that Jesus is both a new ‘Moses’ as one who delivers people from all forms of oppressive slavery, and a new ‘Israel’ as one who is uniquely faithful to God’s calling.

Making use of frequent quotations from Old Testament prophecies, Jesus is presented as liberator from sin , where ‘sin’ refers to all things which imprison human life; he is ‘Immanuel’, God with us and for us, not least in very dark times, when it seems we are dominated by threatening powers. The hostile forces represented in Herod, the escape to Egypt under threat of murder, the killing of all male children under the age of two years and the subsequent departure from Egypt are all echoes of the Exodus story of the people of Israel.

Following this Exodus theme into Jesus’ ministry, Matthew records Jesus’ baptism as a parallel to Israel’s passing through the Red Sea, the temptations for forty days in the wilderness parallel Israel’s forty years in the wilderness, and the sermon on the mount parallels Moses’ ascension to Mt Sinai to receive the law. In all this, it is clear that Jesus’ birth and life constitute a fulfilment of what has gone before. Jesus marks a new beginning, not only for Israel, but for all nations. Therefore, the appearance of the wise men from the east is a key element of Matthew’s account. For these star-gazing magi, their life’s journey finds its own form of fulfilment in the birth of Jesus. No wonder they are ecstatic, ‘rejoicing exceedingly with great joy’. These magi represent the wisdom of all the Gentile nations whose wisdom leads them to the cradle of Jesus where they bow down in worship and offer up the riches of their own life and culture.

We cannot hear the symphonic sounds of Matthew’s gospel without hearing the trumpeting  sounds that, in Jesus of Nazareth, there is liberation from all forms of sin and oppression, accomplished for all peoples and all nations, and now to be received as a gift. That just may be a timely pastoral word for us, evoking unimaginable ecstasy.

St Luke

While St Matthew’s genealogy traces Jesus’ origins back to Abraham, St Luke goes further back – to Adam. This is not accidental, it is gospel. For Luke, Jesus is a new Adam; he will mark the beginning of a new humanity, reversing the failures represented in the Genesis account of the story of the first Adam. Jesus will show what it means to be truly human as one who obeys God right to the end, His final words even in death will be, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’.

Not only does Jesus represent what it means to be truly human, but he is the one who makes the gift of this same humanity available to others. The diverse forms of broken humanity, seen as the legacy of a disobedient first Adam, are visited and healed by Jesus in such a way that people are welcomed into a new and hitherto impossible realm of life.  And it comes purely by the graceful embrace of a loving God.

This is the thrust of the whole of Luke’s gospel. It is represented in the many provocative and controversial stories, unique to Luke, in which this new humanity is given to people who have no claims to it, nor any possibility within themselves of acquiring it. The stories of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan come quickly to mind, each of them depicting immeasurable acts of compassion and grace. The conversation between Jesus and the criminal on the cross is a further striking example whereby the criminal, justifiably destined to death, is welcomed into paradise. Jesus’ words from the cross, praying for forgiveness for the murderous crowd, provide a final example before Jesus breathes his last.

 This same symphonic theme threads its way through Luke’s report of the birth of Jesus. The story as Luke tells it is a story of astonishing grace which makes the impossible possible.  The focus is on Mary, a woman of teenage years, not yet married, who is to become ‘the mother of God’. Her simple and faith-full obedience brings with it the vision of the powerful cast down from their thrones with the lowly being lifted up.

In Luke, there are no wise men from the East but shepherds from sheep-scattered fields. These ordinary rural folk are drawn into the dramatic joy of Christmas and find their lives transformed by the glory of God in the presence of the new-born Jesus. This same glory which is for Jew and Gentile alike brings a lasting peace to Simeon and a deep sense of fulfilment to the ageing prophetess Anna.

The symphonic sounds of this gospel present a spring-like landscape where new life finds its way into the crevices of a broken world and where we discover that God’s fulfilling gift of peace bursts gracefully into ordinary human life, making the impossible possible. In all the ordinary-ness of our own broken world, this word of hope may just be a timely word for us.

 St John

It is St John’s gospel which records the most unusual but most extravagant account of the birth of Jesus. It is rightly the final ‘movement’ of the pastoral symphony represented by the four gospels. In John, there is no mention of a birthplace, no Mary or Joseph, no angels, no shepherds and no wise men.

St John begins his account with his own version of a genealogy, beginning not with Abraham, nor with Adam, but going right back to the beginning of creation. ‘In the beginning’ quotes the very first words of the book of Genesis and reminds his readers of the story of creation in seven days.  In doing so, it opens the way for John’s claim that in Jesus of Nazareth, there is a new beginning for all creation.

Instrumental for this new beginning is the word of God. For the people of Israel, whenever God speaks, it is a creative event, it brings life. In Genesis 1, God brings creation into being with his speaking (‘God said, let there be …’), so Jesus as ‘logos’ will be God’s way of speaking creation into new life.

Equally, the term ‘logos’ addresses the gentiles. For them, ‘logos’ constitutes divine wisdom which provides the foundation, the order and the meaning of life. Access to this wisdom has been limited to a privileged few who are able to scale the ladder to wisdom through special knowledge and insight.

In a most profound and succinct statement of gospel, to both Jew and Gentile, it is this ‘logos’ which ‘becomes flesh’, (where ‘flesh’ is not simply the physical part of our human body but the fullness of our human lives in all their ambiguity and alienation). In making this claim, St John declares that Jesus is both the presence of God’s life-giving speech and the human embodiment of God’s wisdom, available to all. This ‘logos’ takes up residence in the kitchen of our human life. God’s truth gracefully resides with us all.

Thus, through the remainder of this gospel, Jesus is depicted in earthy life-giving forms: he is the bread of life for the hungry, the light of the world for the blind, the living water for the thirsty, the good shepherd for the aimless, the resurrection and the life for those lost in death.

Jesus’ own death becomes the climax of this new creation. It is through Jesus’ death that God’s victory over the powers of evil, sin and death is finally won, and all people are drawn into communion with God and with each other. This is bread, light, water, and resurrection life for all.

These are the particular symphonic sounds of St John’s gospel, resounding in the birth of Jesus, climaxing in the death of Jesus, and now filling the auditorium of the whole of creation.  In the context of a world of uncertainty and fear, that just may be a timely pastoral word for us.

And so we come to the end of the Christmas pastoral symphony – four very different but complementary gospel movements. Each in their unique way have inspired hearers, down through the generations, to attune their own individual and social lives with their rich harmonic sounds. There is an urgency that this happen also in our time, for the sake of the world.                                         [ Randall Prior and Gary Deverell],

 Meanwhile, the international news of interest dominating the media over the past 24 hours, was the report of the death of Leader of North Korea. As reported by Jean H Lee in statesman.com, Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s mercurial and enigmatic leader whose iron rule and nuclear ambitions dominated world security fears for more than a decade, has died. He was 69.  Kim’s death 17 years after he inherited power from his father was announced on Sunday by a tearful female reporter, on state television from the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. The country’s “Dear Leader” — reputed to have had a taste for cigars, cognac and gourmet cuisine — was believed to have had diabetes and heart disease.  North Korea has been grooming Kim’s third son to take over power from his father in the impoverished nation, which celebrates the ruling family with an intense cult of personality. South Korea put its military on “high alert,” and President Lee Myung-bak convened a national security council meeting after the news of Kim’s death.

In a “special broadcast” on Sunday,, state media said Kim died of a heart ailment on a train because of a “great mental and physical strain” Saturday during a “high intensity field inspection.”  Kim is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, but he had appeared relatively vigorous in photos and video from recent trips to China and Russia and in numerous trips around the country carefully documented by state media.   Kim Jong Il inherited power after his father, revered North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, died in 1994. He had been groomed for 20 years to lead the communist nation founded by his guerrilla fighter-turned-politician father and built according to the principle of “juche,” or self-reliance.  In September 2010, Kim Jong Il unveiled his third son, the twenty-something Kim Jong Un, as his successor, putting him in high. Certainly, as a consequence of this announcement, a new heightened world tension has arisen as the likely outcome of the new leadership is attempted to be assessed by world leaders.  The death of Kim Jong-il even caused markets to falter on fear the North Korea’s leadership may be in question, and that that in turn, could cause unrest in a nation which is believed to have nuclear weapons capability. The US dollar rose against most major peers after North Korean state television said national leader Kim Jong Il died, spurring concern instability may increase in the region and boosting demand for the U.S. currency as a haven.  The South Korean won tumbled to a two-month low as an official at the defense ministry said the nation boosted border and coastal defense after Kim’s death. The yen dropped against the dollar for the first time in three days amid concern a destabilization of the Korean peninsula will dim the outlook for Japan’s economy and security. We will watch all columns over the next few days to try an gauge the direction of the future North Korea >>>>>>>

This was the Editorial in today’s Australian Newspaper –

“NOT that the concept would mean anything to them, but the people-smugglers who pocketed $10,000 for every man, woman and child who drowned off the Javanese coast early yesterday are morally culpable for the deaths. Without a skerrick of concern for the safety of the passengers or crew, a fishing boat never intended as a passenger vessel was loaded with about 250 people, mainly from Afghanistan and the Middle East, bound for Australia. Like the overcrowded boat that splintered off Christmas Island a year ago, the vessel was a deathtrap. Those who survived by clinging to its debris until they were picked up by fishermen have told how panic among those on board made the vessel even more unstable as it lurched from side to side before breaking apart.

For a second year running, on the eve of the Christian season of goodwill, hope and peace, Australians will share the pain of the victims’ families as they grieve for their spouses, children, parents and friends. For the next few days, attention must focus on the rescue operation in the hope some of the 160 missing people might yet have survived. And the survivors must be cared for, especially the children.

Political recriminations would do little to help such a sad situation, but there can be no side-stepping the implications for the debate in Australia. Blunt as a front-end loader, former Labor leader Mark Latham yesterday blamed “so-called compassionate” politicians, who support onshore processing, for the deaths. At the other extreme, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young’s hand-wringing contributed nothing constructive. It was Cardinal George Pell, a consistent advocate of a compassionate approach to asylum-seekers, who pinpointed what must be the next step when he urged the government and the opposition to agree promptly on offshore deterrents. This is the first time he has endorsed offshore processing, and it is a sign of how far the ground has shifted. The cardinal is right — for mainstream politicians to risk another tragedy by refusing to put political point-scoring aside and take a bipartisan approach in the national interest would be unconscionable.

The Australian also takes a compassionate view, which is why we support Immigration Minister Chris Bowen’s push to increase the nation’s official intake of refugees by 50 per cent from 13,750 to 20,000 a year. As a rich country, we can afford to be more generous. There is nothing humanitarian, however, in failing to do everything reasonable to stop the deadly trade that is now responsible for well over 500 known deaths at sea — including yesterday’s sinking, the wreck that claimed 50 lives off Christmas Island a year ago, the SIEV X tragedy when 353 lives were lost in 2001, and the five people killed when the SIEV-36 exploded and caught fire near Ashmore Reef in April 2009.

Nor is it acceptable that Australia’s borders are now so porous that more than 14,000 people have arrived by boat since Labor abandoned John Howard’s border protection regime.

Australia’s main political players were lying low yesterday, but unless there is an enormous shifting of ground they are unlikely to agree on a site for offshore processing, with the Coalition committed to using the Australian-built facilities on Nauru and Labor favouring the so-called Malaysian Solution that was scuttled by the High Court on August 31. What they must agree on, as soon as possible, is to pass legislation amending the Migration Act to allow the government of the day to enact offshore processing in the location or locations of their choice. Unfortunately, it is now probably too late to recall parliament before Christmas, as we suggested in recent weeks, but an agreement between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott to pass the necessary amendments as soon as possible would send the necessary signals that Australia is not prepared to remain a soft touch as hardened criminals put more lives in jeopardy. Temporary Protection Visas and increased naval patrols would also help. Australians have been lectured at length against offshore processing by the Greens and social justice advocates, but yesterday’s events render that position indefensible. The people-smugglers are responsible for the deaths, but the onus is on Australia to do everything possible to stop the boats”.

So there we have it, the national newspaper wants our politicians to go back to offshore processing, as if that is going to stop the refugees from getting on unseaworthy boats – if they can’t come here, they will try and go somewhere else in desperation anyway. So what has Australia gained –  oh yes, we have removed the responsibility of having to worry about the  boat people, they are going somewhere else, someone else’s responsibility. We can get back to worrying about gay marriage rights,. And other ‘important’ insignificant issues!! Yes, I am angry, even with friends who seem so willing to accept the spin of politicians and certain media types that refugees are evil people, totally to blame for their own misfortunes!!

Meanwhile, I made a few points on Face Book this morning regarding this issue, following just a simple general reference of sympathy for the victims of the weekend refugee boating tragedy. I guess I took offence [perhaps an over reaction] at the comment of one friend, where she said   ‘Thought the comment on radio interesting also, when one guy said if the folk can spend all that money to the ‘people smugglers / angels’? it’s criminal they don’t also spend a little on life jackets – at least for their children’.

My reaction to that was along the following lines:-  “Interesting comment, yes, but typically prejudicial against the bulk of these desperate people who are generally forced to give everything they have to these people smugglers, there’s nothing left over, and for most, getting on those boats is their only hope of some kind of future – it’s easy to blame the refugees for their own misfortunes, we are not in their position. It’s about time a bit more blame was placed on their homelands that so often create the environments that lead these people to have to ‘escape’ in the first place, as most of them I think you would find, would much prefer to have the kind of ‘choice’ that we in Australia – to remain in our own homes, without fear of persecution, etc”  “And I wonder if that ‘commentator’ bothered to mention that the boat crew took all of the life jackets that were on the boat, with them, as they made their escape, leaving their ‘passengers’ behind!!”  My fellow correspondent conceded that,no he hadn’t!  Friend Ruth at this point, came in with the comment that “Or that the seas were so huge and rough that even with jackets you would not stand a chance- not being sailors, most of us probably cannot comprehend the power of the sea”.

I further noted that “Well. my views have constantly been made on this issue, and people are no doubt sick of them! However, I am disgusted with how gullible many Australians are to be so willing to readily accept the spin of politicians and certain media commentators constantly seeking any minor point to denigrate the refugees of this world. People making those views, and those so quickly prepared to accept them as ‘gospel’, will never be that situation themselves because they were born or live in Australia – so easy to be ready and quick to criticise others who live in the less secure parts of our world, from the safety of your own little loungeroom, protected from the realities portrayed on the TV screen!”  To which, Ruth remarked that “I guess you’ve gathered over the years that you and I vote for different political parties but that is of no consequence. You consider issues as a humane and compassionate person and seek to be well informed. You are, some would say, a true Christian but most of all you are a good man x”.

In an attempt I guess to wind up the ‘discussion’, I noted that “Thankyou Ruth, but sometimes, I would perhaps be wiser, simply to ignore what goes on in the world, let others think what they want, and keep my views to myself!! Find that difficult on this issue, though there is much written in these pages on other matters, that I manage to ‘bite my tongue’ and keep quiet, though what I’m reading angers and disgusts me at the time. Maybe a 2012 resolution for Bill – no more responding, just read, relax, enjoy my music and radio, and my supposed retirement. Let others do the debating, lol :-)”, which maybe wasn’t a bad idea  –  allow myself a much more relaxing lifestyle, not worry about the rest of the world. The reactions to that from my two co-correspondents on this occasion, quickly convinced me, that I ‘simply couldn’t do it!!!  Ruth said: “No, Bill- ” it’s better to burn out, rust never sleeps”  while Christine later added “”simply to ignore what goes on in the world,” NO Bill so many do that…it’s not you and I enjoy being informed by you! I hope Ruth doesn’t think me inhumane or without compassion. We’re a big country and are the hardest for refugees to successfully come to I think. It’s a huge question of HOW we should accommodate them & I was merely reporting what I’d heard this-morning knowing you’d make an intelligent comment! I also heard one say we should just cut out the need for the ‘smugglers’ / angels’ and send planes to Indonesia and Malaysia to bring the refugees here.

On a brighter note, Adam’s ‘harness racing’ horse ‘Dimensions’ raced again this afternoon, up at Maryborough in Central Victoria – competing in Race 3 [the VHRSC Snowball Series Semi-Final for 4 years old & upwards, over 2,190 metres. A field of 10, which Adam described as fairly strong, don’t expect too much from our horse, which finished a good 2^nd up at Charlton last Monday, in a heat of this particular event.  Dimensions stayed up within touch of the front group of favourites, and while not in the finish for a major placing, came in equal 4^th today. I imagine that the Trainer together with Adam & his co-owners, would have been reasonably happy with that outcome.

Meanwhile, the dreaded ‘ankle problems’ – much better this morning, and throughout the day, although I continued to nurse it to some minor degree – anything risky like going for a daily walk, was avoided, as too much pressure was creating elements of pain, and it was obvious that the usual 24 hour cure turnaround was not happening this time!! What  happened on Saturday was as severe has it has been for some 5 or 6 years!  In fact, from memory, it would have been Christmas Eve, around 2004, that I was given a quartazone injection in an attempt to remedy the then problem.  I think I have decided that it might be an idea to have a set of crutches permanently on site at home, in order to avoid the situation last Saturday night, where I was virtually immobile But enough of that!! 

Monday night, saw this writer [and radio presenter] out again for my weekly late night program of Blues, Folk, Country, World, Show and Jazz music amongst other things. One of those ‘other things’ tonight was to read a couple of selections from a 1981 booklet called ‘Outback Christmas’ which had been put together by writer and Pastor Norman Habel, and the now deceased Australian painter, Pro Hart.  As indicated on the inside front cover, this book attempted to portray the nativity of Jesus Christ in the bold images of the Australian outback. Most of our Christmas art and verse have been inherited from English and European sources, but the Christian message is universal, and other cultures commonly portray the characters and events surrounding Christ’s birth in line with local custom. That’s what this book was doing – from an Australian outback perspective. The authors in fact stated that ‘The ideas and images of this book reflect the search of many Australians to make Christianity in Australia an Australian Christianity…..Australians have sought to express their faith in language consistent with the Australian experience’.  The verse art in the book represented a serious attempt top portray a bush nativity as a reality for Australians.  So we see the influence of the Outback beyond Broken Hill [where Pro Hart was located through much of his life, in the far south west of New South Wales] being very evident in the landscapes depicted in the book by the artist, while the evocative ‘down-to-earth’ verse of Norman Habel complements the Australian background to the timeless story of Christmas. The following is the actual description of Jesus’ Birth, as written by Habel, and based on the New Testament reference in Luke 2:6.

After the long anxious ride

through the smothering heat

to Bethlehem;

after the long loud night

                                       of shouting stockmen in the pub,

                               of brave old drinkers hanging on,

                                      of shearers telling wild tales,

                                   of endless baudy bush songs;

after the last slow dingo howl,

the last call of a hopeful bird,

the last long vicious pain

that broke my body open,

the night was silent

 

In the silence of dawn

Jesus burst from my body,

gasping for life

and shedding his robe of blood,

Joseph grasped the warm child,

cut the pulsing cord

that still bound me to my son

and wiped the blood from his face.

We wrapped strips of torn cloth

around his soft shivering body

and laid him in a feed box

where the horses eat their hay.

 

In those few moments,

Jesus felt the first plunge

                                              of air into his timid chest,

the first splash of light

into his womb-blind eyes,

the first brush of rough male hands

against his quivering flesh,

the first odour into his lungs

                               of horses, straw, and last night’s beer,

the first open space

                                      of a wide threatening world

                                      outside his mother’s body.

 

The Silence was broken,

my son had been born

and God was a parent

………………………………………….at last.

As the ‘authors’ note in their Preface to the story ‘In the last analysis these paintings and poems also reflect the Australian background of their authors: Pro Hart as a lover of the Outback beyond Broken Hill, and Norman Habel from Western Victoria where bushfires could rage at Christmas time’. I don’t really know if anyone heard my reading tonight, as there was no acknowledgement of the fact, but it was a little part of the program that I wanted to include on this last Monday night before Christmas.

 

 

 

The weather has caused havoc in the southern Philippines this weekend, with hundreds of lives lost, and no doubt thousands of others affected and suffering from severe storms, mud slides and floods – ‘mother’ nature seems to care little for the human race in many parts of the world, as we have seen particularly over the past twelve months. I’ve had numerous ‘online’ friends from that part of the world over the years, hoping they have not been affected by this latest disaster. Meranwhile, the sinking of another overcrowded refugee boat, off Java, is another tragic consequence of the ‘lifestyles and political environment of countries like Iran and Afghanistan, which constantly forces their peoples to flee their homelands in search of security and peace elsewhere. Initial reports indicated that a heavily overloaded boat packed with about 250 Iranians and Afghans seeking new lives in Australia sank off Indonesia, with bad weather and high seas hampering rescue effort The vessel was following a well-worn, and occasionally disastrous, route from the southern coast of Java to the remote Australian territory of Christmas Island when it sank on Saturday, officials say.  The vessel was following a well-worn, and occasionally disastrous, route from the southern coast of Java to the remote Australian territory of Christmas Island when it sank on Saturday, officials said. I think the numbers of the boat are possibly much higher than that initial figure. I won’t comment any further, but in tomorrow’s contribution, intend to include the Editorial from Monday’s Australian newspaper on this matter.

Well, for a while overnight, I was unsure whether I would be in a fit state to get up to the radio station this  morning\ for my Sunday program, but a bit of sleep overnight, despite the discomfort of a painful ankle, and a slight improvement in it’s condition this morning – at least I could take a few painful and slow steps on it – encouraged me to be out and on my way, and able to start a little earlier, at 6.15am. Mind you, that was all I would do of a physical walking nature all day, as certainly, by the time I left the radio at 9am,, the foot had deteriorated a little again, so decided the only way to solve the problem was by resting it for the rest of the day!! Nevertheless, I was glad I’d been able to get out this morning – today’s program was planned as my pre-Christmas show of classical ‘Christmas orientated’ music, and one that I really needed to go ahead with. It included the second part of Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, which I’d begun last Sunday.

One thing I did complete was a book of ‘light’ readings, called ‘The Turning’.  The Turning is a collection of short stories by acclaimed Australian author Tim Winton. It was published in April 2005 by Picador.  Many of the 17 short stories included interweave in their respective narratives, creating an intriguing and twisting central plot-line that generally centers around protagonist Vic Lang. Several recurring themes characterise the book, including sentimentality, regret, companionship and drugs. The collection was adapted into a play, The Turning, for the 2008 Perth International Arts Festival.    I liked a review comment by the Sydney Morning Herald when the book was published, in 2004  –  “Each of these 17 stories is a self-contained whole – as all good short stories should be – yet the sequence reveals striking connections among seemingly disparate lives and experiences. The result is at times mysterious, moving and occasionally deeply unsettling”. As that review put it, ‘Most of the stories are set in a place Winton calls Angelus, a small, wind-swept coastal community, formerly a whaling station, in the south-west of Western Australia. Some of his characters have never left the town; others make their way back there to try to make sense of their lives or to let wounds heal.   Almost every one of them, those that stayed behind as much as those that left, find disappointment only, or confirmation that they will never escape, no matter how far their lives seem to have taken them from Angelus. For that reason, most of these stories deal with the painful experiences of childhood and adolescence’.  I have to agree with the comment that Winton’s book depicts what is .  ‘not a pretty world. Winton’s characters are unremarkable men, women and children. Their lives are nasty, brutish and, for more than one of them, short. In the hands of a less accomplished writer, such concentration on disappointment and frustration could have led to tedium and also to a sense of condescension or sentimentality’.  In fact, I found many of the stories quite depressing, and were it not for the later inter-connecting of one story to another, would have finished the book totally dissatisfied with the manner in which I considered most of the stories ended – without solution, incomplete, unanswered questions  – and yet, perhaps this is a true indication of life for many people, who live out their lives with unresolved issues, and regrets!!! Certainly, that is what comes across in this book.  Perhaps it’s me, but I can’t find the ‘beauty’ referred by the UK Literary Review comment that ‘A raw and urgent book, brimming with danger…But there is nevertheless plenty of beauty in these haunting, finely written tales’!! Perhaps the Observer explains it better  –  “Captivating….The beauty of Winton’s work lies not in the hope to which some characters awaken [just some mind you], but in his skill at making grief palpable to readers who may be unscathed by the agonies that his characters suffer…His stories artfully clarify life’s abrupt turns…….”

Anyway, that was a part of my ‘relaxation’ today, resting that dammed ankle! – watched as bit of TV –  including a televised version of Puccini’s opera ‘La Boheme’  – perhaps I’m a little prejudice, but I find the story lines of many of these traditional operas to be somewhat ‘far fetched, almost childlike in the way they are presented – no questions about the brilliance of the singing and the music, but the story itself, is what turns me off a little – Don Giovanni, the other night, had a similar affect. Anyway, glad I watched that this afternoon  –  will continue to enjoy the music from La Boheme, but won’t bother to spend any money going to see a live performance!!   Briefly, the story deals with a group of Bohemians, a carefree band of friends fighting for survival in the Latin quarter, and gaudy twilight of 1920s Berlin. When cabaret star Musetta sings, she is the most beautiful woman in the world. When the idealistic writer, Rodolfo meets the innocent seamstress, Mimi, the passion blazes in their hearts. But for all involved, love alone won’t pay the rent. I think this afternoon, I gained the most emotional affect was watching the audience, and the performers, doing the lengthy curtain calls, at the end of the opera. Obviously, it took place in Europe, where opera is more of a ‘national passion’ than a place like Australia, and the ‘adoration’ displayed by the audience was truely remarkable  –  I did not recognise the names of any of the performers, but they were almost being treated likes Gods up there on the stage!!  In fact, the lead female role [who, as with most traditional operas, dies at the end] almost appeared as though she was still totally engrossed in the role she had just finished, almost appeared to be emotionally affected by ‘her own tragic’ circumstances just performed on stage!! One or two others gave a similar impression, indicative no doubt of the quality and passion of their performances.    Later tonight, I also watched a final episode of ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ I’d never watched that program previously, but was now beginning to wish I’d shown an interest in it, in earlier years. Quite enjoyed tonight’s episode, set during the time that the King of England abdicated his throne for ‘Mrs Simpson’!  Interesting1

Susan went out early this afternoon, did not return until late this evening. I’d been hoping she would return earlier, ass intended to get her to bring home some dinner for us both, as there was not really a great deal of choice in the fridge, as I’d stayed away from the shops today!!  Alas, soon realised she’d eaten elsewhere, so I made do with a meal of vegetables [which I prefer these days anyway, just hadn’t felt in the food for preparing anything]…………………………

.

 

After a morning shopping, and wandering around the Sunbury streets [and stopping for an iced coffee at one stage], it was good to get back home and relax briefly before heading off again. Probably our warmest day since last summer, and as I would discover later, not the most opportune of times to spend too much time sitting in the car!!

Drove over to the Goonawarra Recreation Reserve, where Adam’s team was playing a one day game – they were fielding, so I watched for an hour or so, before deciding to call over at Shirley’s place [the family home], wish her a Happy 60^th Birthday’  – she was busy decorating a rather large  ‘Australian’ style Christmas tree, think it was of the gum tree variety, was a bit hard to tell what was underneath all of those decorations!! Shirley always does these things in a big way!!  Called over to the flat to see Mrs S, who promptly refused to take any money from me for this year’s Christmas dinner  – will have to find another means of making my contribution. Discovered the lawn mower [mine] had been damaged partially whilst been used over here yesterday  – thank heavens I mowed my lawns on Thursday before I loaned it!!!  Meanwhile, Jodie was apparently home  – but incognito – suffering from a hangover apparently from her work Christmas party last night!!  As I think she would comment on Face Book later ‘I didn’t learn from last year’!!  No Jodie, you didn’t!!  A bit of discussion with Shirley & her mother about tonight’s dinner at the Bowling Club – I was looking forward to meeting up with her brother, Barry, and his family again, as I’d not seen very much of them for over 10 years now. Meanwhile the only person not coming tonight would be Adam – it was his cricket club’s annual Christmas party. Actually, there was another ‘party’ I’d been invited to for tonight also – the one I seem to miss every year for one reason or another – the Wesley [WYA] annual Christmas barbeque reunion, to be held at Brian James & Joan’s place this year [think Don is away travelling], but I’ve had to decline again.

Back to Adam’s cricket match – Sunbury vs East Sunbury – after an hour or so of his team continuing to field [ a good catch in the outer to Adam] I was beginning to wish I delayed my return a little longer – had left my hat behind, it was hot in the sun, out of the car, while inside, the glare through the windscreen, upon my face, was probably not doing me much good either. Eventually however, the opposition finished their innings at 9 for 127, being the score Adam’s team had to reach. From this point onwards, despite the heat, the game had a bit more interest for me – Adam opened the batting for Sunbury.  He was out there for quite a while, while his fellow batsmen lost their wickets one by one around him. It was a real battle for Adam, had to fight a very long and patient innings to keep his wicket, and the runs were coming slowly. But he remained there, and with 4 wickets down, was joined by a partner who really started to move the score along.  It was around this time, that I suddenly realised I had a ‘problem’. I was out of the car at one stage, when one of Adam’s friends [not playing because of an injury] stopped briefly as he was driving away from the match [to check on progress of the senior team] to have a chat – I walked across to him, and felt a bit of pain in my left ankle [which occasionally gives me a few problems]. As I returned to the car, that ankle went on my completely – don’t know what the reason [in the past, I’d woken in the night with the symptoms of a sprained ankle, and that was today’s sensation] –  whether it was the combined affects of the heat, the confined space in the car’s driving compartment, or another sudden attack of arthritis, and the long-term consequences of breaking that particular ankle in a ‘friendly’ mixed netball game, about  18 years ago  – whatever, your correspondent was suddenly in some extreme pain, and found I could not stand on that foot, let alone walk anywhere!!   Well, with Adam batting, I didn’t want to leave, but I knew I needed to get some pain killers & anti-inflammatory tablets into my system fairly quickly – the latter, I’d found were quite effective in this situation, though it usually meant about 24 hours of discomfort before they worked completely.

Meanwhile, Adam’s score also ‘painfully moved along – he was facing some hostile and effective bowling, yet was still out there, and when they stopped for a brief drink break around 5pm, his score on my count was 24 runs  – made up as follows  –   11121212312232[24]  – he would in fact score one more run after I finally decided that I could not remain any longer  – he was in fact the 5^th wicket to fall when the score was 90 Adam out for 25 runs, and the team eventually went on to win the game, finishing on 6 for 134 runs. At this point I realised a major disadvantage of having purchased a manual motor vehicle.  –  my left foot was needed to operate the clutch. Needless to say, that was a rather painful drive back across Sunbury to home!!  At which point, I practically fell into the house, fielding a left ankle that literally felt as though it had just being broken [it wasn’t, but certainly felt that way]. The condition of my arrival was a bit of a shock to Susie who had been away overnight, returned this afternoon sometime!

You know, I can’t be bothered going on with this story any longer – suffice to say, the continuing pain from my ‘sprained ankle’[which seemed to have arisen from doing nothing!!] completely drained all energy out of me – as in past such occurrences –  and despite attempts to shower, get changed and dressed ready to go out, I simply couldn’t do it. If there had been a set of crutches in the house, an attempt might have been possible, but I soon realised that any attempt to go out to Shirley’s dinner tonight was going to fail, and the pain I was feeling, would probably dampen everyone else’s enjoyment of the night. I was disappointed because I did want to be a part of the evening, and catch up with the members of Shirley’s family I’d not seen for many years. So, sent my apologies with Susan, and via Jodie later. As it turned out, they all had a good night, and I probably wasn’t even missed!! As for yours truly, I didn’t do too much moving around this evening, and if I had to, I probably resembled an injured lizard, trying to drag itself around the house!!! Pathetic sight!!

So perhaps I’d like to forget some aspects of the 17^th December 2011 –   though I recall, that today was also nephew Bruce’s [up in Brisbane] 42^nd birthday today – his birth date came on a little quicker than anticipated, just 2 days after Dad’s car accident [back in 1969], and  7 days before Dad eventually succumbed to the injuries from that accident. This time of year always has certain memories that are not so pleasant.

 

 

Unlike yesterday, I awoke quite early this morning, and, rather than spend another two hours ‘trying’ to get back to sleep, decided to get up and do something useful. Susie was off to work quite early as well, by 7.30. It always was the best time of day, early of a morning, and when I was working, I often took advantage of an early start at the office, or wherever, before the phones and queries, etc, started to come on line. We were in for a rather warmish day, so I also took advantage of the early start to the day, by going for a warm before the heat set in. The walking tracks were fairly quiet at that time of day, basically had things to myself, apart from the bird life of course. Actually, if I’m honest, the walk was a bit of a ‘struggle’ today, and I was rather glad to get back home! A brief period in the front garden  – made a start on trimming some of shrubs along the driveway. I’d prefer to leave them as they were, however Susie feels the branches are scratching her car!!! So a bit of a token effort today, I guess!!

·         At some stage during the day, I heard the disturbing news that TV and show personality, Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum had been seriously injured. The reports coming through were that he was  expected to remain in an induced coma until early next week, as doctors wait for the bruising in his brain to stabilise before they can operate on his other injuries. The music industry legend is fighting for his life in intensive care at The Alfred hospital after falling 3m while hanging Christmas decorations at his Melbourne home last night.  This afternoon his brother Brian told reporters that doctors needed to stabilise his head injuries before they could tend to his broken shoulder, fractured clavicle, fractured ribs, pierced lung and fractured vertebrae. “They have him sedated … and he will remain that way until early next week,” he said.  “At the moment we’re taking little steps forward but there’s nothing to say things couldn’t go backwards … in that respect, he is not out of danger, as far as his life goes.”  Molly’s brother said he was “devastated” by the accident but “there’s no point falling in a heap”.  “Ian (Molly) wouldn’t and certainly won’t,” he said.  Brian said his brother would be “totally and utterly blown away” by the flood of support from around the world since news of his accident first broke. I must admit, that while at times, Meldrum was a bit ‘over the top’ in his performances at times, he was nevertheless, an extremely popular character around the show business world here in Australia, and the thought of his not surviving, or at the least, suffering some kind of permanent brain damage, was obviously quite disturbing to a lot of people.  Typical of a lot of comments is this one –  ‘We are saddened to hear that Molly Meldrum is fighting for his life after an accident at his home earlier tonight. This man has offered his heart and soul to Australian music and is an absolute legend of a bloke. Get well mate’.

 

I spent another 40 minutes up at the radio station, around midday, and also tried a couple of periods of shopping around Sunbury this afternoon, and this evening – both totally unsuccessful, for what I was seeking, in terms of gifts for Christmas, and Shirley’s birthday on Saturday. The latter was the immediate priority, looks like another trip in the morning. The only real purchase I managed to achieve today, was some ink for my printer!!!  I don’t like shopping!!

Meanwhile, north of Australia, our nearest neighbour were having problems, which one hoped would not deteriorate any further than they already had.  As reported through the day, and over the past 24 hours, Papua New Guinea’s government is in crisis, with two men claiming to be the legitimate prime minister in a row that has embroiled the country’s supreme court and governor general.  Veteran leader Sir Michael Somare was reinstated as prime minister by the country’s highest court on Monday after he had been removed and replaced by rival Peter O’Neill while out of the country having medical treatment. O’Neill has refused to give up power despite the court order and the recognition of Somare’s cabinet by the governor general, Sir Michael Ogio. O’Neill’s MPs have continued to pass legislation recognising him as leader.

The battle escalated when MPs backing O’Neill stormed the governor general’s gates a day after the supreme court ruling that Somare’s removal and O’Neill’s election by parliament in August was unconstitutional. “We are unarmed and we’re the legitimate government,” the Australian Broadcasting Corporation quoted the MPs as telling police.  Somare said on Wednesday that his cabinet had been sworn in by Ogio, who represents PNG’s head of state, Queen Elizabeth II. Somare insisted he did not need to be sworn in himself because the supreme court had already reinstated him as prime minister. “It is regretful that all of government was put on hold but this situation has been diffused by the swearing-in today of my cabinet,” Somare said. The crisis continued on Wednesday, with MPs loyal to O’Neill passing a motion ordering Ogio to swear in O’Neill as prime minister. O’Neill could not be reached for comment but on Tuesday he said he had met with Ogio briefly after the march to the official residence in the capital, Port Moresby.  The supreme court’s 3-2 decision on Monday that ruled O’Neill’s election unconstitutional came after O’Neill’s government passed a series of retroactive laws legalising its decision to dump Somare from office while he was in Singapore recovering from a heart condition.  One of Somare’s first acts when the supreme court ordered his return to power was to reinstate the former police commissioner Fred Yakasa and oust O’Neill’s appointee, Tom Kulunga. Both police chiefs were present at the governor general’s home and held discussions with MPs loyal to O’Neill.  Somare has based himself at the Ela Beach Hotel, where he has set up a cabinet made up mostly of ministers from his previous government.  Somare had been in Singapore for five months between late March and 6 September, when he returned to parliament after three heart operations.  It almost seems like a ‘schoolyard squabble’, and yet wars and revolutions come out of such disputes! When asked by an interviewer on the ABC, this evening,  whether what had happened had damaged the reputation of New Guinea worldwide, Mr O’Neill brushed off the suggestion, indicating that in his ‘naive’ view, no damage had been done. Who is he trying to convince with a statement like that?  Thankfully, at the moment anyway, the Papua New Guinea military forces are insisting that they will stay out of the crisis as a neutral force  – certainly not the way things generally go, in many countries around the world, where such internal situations of this nature, or worse, develop.

Then the news came through tonight of the death of   British-born author, literary critic and journalist Christopher Hitchens, who has died, aged 62. He died from pneumonia, a complication of the oesophageal cancer he was suffering from, at a Texas hospital.  As part of one of many obituaries suddenly appearing about him, for most of his career, Christopher Hitchens was the left’s biggest journalistic star, writing and broadcasting with wit, style and originality in a period when such qualities were in short supply among those of similar political persuasion. Nobody else spoke with such confidence and passion for what Americans called “liberalism” and Hitchens (regarding “liberal” as too “evasive”) called “socialism”.  His targets were the abusers of power, particularly Henry Kissinger (whom he tried to bring to trial for his role in bombing Cambodia and overthrowing the Allende regime in Chile) and Bill Clinton. He was unrelenting in his support for the Palestinian cause and his excoriation of America’s projections of power in Asia and Latin America. He was a polemicist rather than an analyst or political thinker – his headmaster at the Leys School in Cambridge presciently forecast a future as a pamphleteer – and, like all the best polemicists, brought to his work outstanding skills of reporting and observation.  To these, he added wide reading, not always worn lightly, an extraordinary memory – he seemed, his friend Ian McEwan observed, to enjoy “instant neurological recall” of anything he had ever read or heard – and a vigorous, if sometimes pompous writing style, heavily laden with adjectives, elegantly looping sub-clauses and archaic phrases such as “allow me to inform you”.  The ABC showed part of an interview with Tony Jones [ABC presenter] conducted last November, he spoke of the disappointment of realising he would not live to enjoy the ‘fruits’ of his success. In an earlier interview on the BBC, he reflected on a life that he knew would be cut short: “It does concentrate the mind, of course, to realise that your life is more rationed than you thought it was.”  It is only in the past 12 months or so, that I had been reading some of his articles, and admittedly at times, I found his ‘somewhat socialist’ views, and his very anti- Christian stance not to my liking, and certainly not all agreed with his views. As one comment I saw tonight noted – ‘One man who delivers a terrible insult is banned from television for life, and another man, who does the same thing, has people lining up with invitations and microphones. In case anyone is wondering, Christopher was that second man’..

Not much in the way of good news tonight, is there!!! Came home this evening from my shopping ‘spree’ [bought 3 sheets of wrapping paper!!!], to find Susie gone out somewhere for dinner, presumably, but with ‘someone else’ as her car was still here.  Apart from a phone call to ask me if I’d bought ‘her’ Christmas present yet, 3 hours later, no sign of her  – then the text message –  I won’t be home tonight, Dad!!!  Ohh well, deserted again!!

Now this would be a nice idea, though none of my family would think of it  –  ‘;For friends or loved ones who would love to hear the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra [MSO] live in concert, an MSO gift card is the ideal festive treat. From Ravel’s Bolero to Handel’s Messiah, a gift card allows you to give the gift of any MSO concert in 2012 subject to availability’.  I would have actually liked to have gone to see the MSO tonight – at my favourite concert venue, the Melbourne Recital Centre.  Their performance –  ‘The Messiah’ –  but I decided a couple of days ago that didn’t feel like making another trip into the city this week, nor spending the money, was actually hoping that ABC FM would be broadcasting the performance  – they are, tomorrow night, when I will be out at Shirley’s birthday celebrations!!  I actually get daily emails in my inbox from the various concert venues promoting one concert after another.  Do they think one has nothing else to do, spend one’s time, or money on? The number and variety of ‘specials’ etc  [like any industry] does indicate at times that they are desperate to fill seats.  I must admit, that at the opera last Tuesday night, I was a little disappointed at the number of empty seats up in the balcony area where I was sitting – don’t know what it was like downstairs, but was certainly nowhere near a ‘full house’!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woke at 9.46 am!!  What is going on?  Now while I did wake briefly at around 4am, returning to sleep and not waking again until 9.46 am is unheard of in my vocabulary, just doesn’t happen.  Means I managed a rare 8-9 hours of sleep, with just one interruption!  I guess that means I needed it!!

No rest today however. A mid morning phone call from Shirley  – can I borrow the lawn mower today?   Fine, but could we leave it until this afternoon, as I wanted to run over my own lawns, but couldn’t do that until Susan arose, presumably around lunch time!  As it turned out, she went to work earlier than I’d expected, so I had the lawns all completed [their last cut before Christmas] by midday, and followed that up with a lunchtime walk  – all of which fitted in with a request from James about an earlier pickup of the mower  – I was rather glad that he had come for it, and in fact, for a change, did some of the mowing for Shirley – my eldest son not generally ‘available’ to do much of that nature around the ‘family’ home!

Now being a regular reader of the ABC’s Classic FM’s monthly magazine ‘Limelight’, I was interested to receive online advice of the winners of the 2011 Limelight Awards which had been just announced –   more than 4,000 readers and classical music lovers, including myself, voted to let the Magazine  know which recitals, operas, recordings and music personalities impressed us the most this year. The winners selected in each category are listed below, and while not many of my choices were the first selection of the majority, there was some great music talent there in any case.

·         Music Personality of the year  Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor

·         Best orchestral concert   Australian World Orchestra/Simone Young  – Wagner: Tannhäuser Prelude and Venusberg Music;   Sculthorpe: Earth Cry;  Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 6

·         Best chamber music concert   SynergyXenakis Pleiades (City Recital Hall)   Also nominated:  –  The Australian String Quartet/Li-Wei Qin   Shaker Dances (national tour) –  my choice!!

·         Best solo performance   Fiona Campbell (mezzo-soprano), Haunting Handel, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra

·         Best opera production   Der Rosenkavalier (Opera Australia)

• Best Performance in an opera (new category)    Teddy Tahu Rhodes (baritone), Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro
• Best world music recording  Grigoryan, Slava & Leonard; Tawadros, Joseph & James  Band of Brothers (ABC Classics)      Also nominated: –  Gurrumul: Rrakala (Skinnyfish Music)…[my choice]
  Best Jazz Recording  The Idea of North: Extraordinary Tale (ABC Classics)  [GOOD SELECTION]   Also nominated –  Sarah McKenzie: Don’t Tempt Me (ABC Classics)  [my choice]
  Best new composition  Nigel Westlake.  Missa Solis: Requiem for Eli

·         Best classical recording   Mozart Violin Concertos Vol 2 – Australian Chamber Orchestra/Richard Tognetti (BIS)

·         Best event/festival    Musica Viva Festival, 2011

·          Best Newcomer   Zane Banks, guitarist    Also nominated:  – Sarah McKenzie, pianist/singer [my choice]

 

One of the other organisations I take an interest in, is the Indigenous Hospitality House [IHH], located down in North Carlton. I’ve referred to this previously  – a refresher reminds us that the IHH   offers a peaceful homely atmosphere for Indigenous people supporting a family member in Melbourne’s hospitals. IHH is a project that is overseen by the Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, and supported by the Church of All Nations as well as Christians of various denominations, other groups, individuals

and volunteers. Since its birth in 2001, the IHH has received over 1270 guests from across Australia via Aboriginal Liaison Officers in a range of hospitals and communities, and it provides accommodation to those guests while they have relatives been treated in Melbourne hospitals.  The most recent newsletter from the IHH included one or two items of interest I’d like to share. A little bit of ‘food for thought’ along the way.

 

1. Here at the IHH we are looking forward to the end of the year and a bit of rest.  It’s been our busiest year ever. 147 guests (with 2 weeks to go, so we’ll break 150), with many longer term guests, which means more guests nights and more guests overall than every before.  In a busy year like this we really appreciate all the support that we receive through churches, individuals, organisations and community groups.  Thank you for your donations of goods, money, and food

 

1. 2.        KATJIRRA (BUSH TOMATO)   KATJIRRAS ARE A FAVOURITE FOOD OF THE CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL PEOPLE. THIS FRUIT GROWS

                ONCE A YEAR IN THE DESERT ON A SMALL PLANT, BUT IT GIVES OUT A LOT OF FRUIT. PEOPLE CAN BUY THE DRIED FRUIT IN SHOPS, AND IT IS ALSO

                BEING USED IN CUISINE, CHUTNEYS, THE CHUTNEYS ARE BEING USED IN A LOT OF RESTAURANTS AROUND IN THE CENTRE. THE ABORIGINAL    

                WOMEN WOULD COLLECT THESE WHILE THE MEN WOULD GO OUR HUNTING FOR BIGGER GAME. THE FRUIT AND BRIGHT YELLOW AND VERY

                SWEET, BUT TO EAT TOO MANY CAN GIVE YOU A BAD TUMMY ACHE. THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE FOODS OF THE DESERT, AND CAN BE FOUND

                NEAR MY HOME INTJARTNAMA, WEST OF ALICE SPRINGS. THE CIRCLE ALWAYS REPRESENTS THE COMMUNITY OR THE PLANT IN ALL PAINTINGS.

               SAMANTHA COOK, ARANDA TRIBE

1. 3.        My Brother

My brother has many faces.

Some white, some black, some yellow and olive.

Yet he is my brother.

My brother has many diseases.

Some starvation, and poverty, some heroin, and greed.

Yet he is still my brother.

My brother has many problems.

Some alcohol, and ego, some depression, and oppression,

Yet he is still my brother.

My brother sometimes does things I disapprove of.

But when I meet my brother,

I will shake his hand,

I will embrace his spirit,

And I will call him my brother.

Tiddas, from the album ‘Inside my kitchen’

 

1. 4.        What’s difficult, awkward, embarrassing about your family? Are there any stories from your family that you’d prefer were kept quiet?

            As Christmas can be a time of great family awkwardness, during Advent a few of us have been doing some Bible studies looking

            at some of the awkward stories from Jesus’ family. Matthew’s gospel begins with a genealogy of Jesus. Most genealogies of the    

            time (for example, the genealogy in Luke’s gospel) would not have mentioned female ancestors, but this genealogy  mentions

            four women besides Jesus’ mother. Interestingly, the women mentioned in the genealogy – Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba

            – are all considered to be non-Israelite and are all  implicated in scandalous stories in the Hebrew Bible. I wonder what kind of

            impact these stories might have had for Jesus as he was growing up? I wonder if they might have come to mind as he and his

            community reflected on their encounters with ‘sinners’ and people from other nations? I wonder what we might see if we reflect

            shameful stories from the history of this country?

 

As indicated last night, was not feeling that well overnight, nor this morning when I arose. With Susan away for 24 hours, the house was quiet enough, and deserted, and I decided to take advantage of that –  have a quiet day, no work in the garden, no walk today, generally take it easy, and catch up on some paper  work ‘inside’.  Susie had ‘disappeared’ yesterday morning, whilst I was at the radio station – a message late in the afternoon, told me that she was in Apollo Bay and she would be staying there the night [Tuesday night] –  she’d driven down on her own, and apparently pitched her tent in the caravan park!!  I certainly would have preferred that she was not doing that on her own, but Susie is rather independently minded at present, irrespective of the fact that I am told by others in  the family  that ‘she and Jimmy’ are together again, after a 6 month separation!! Not over enthused about the uncertainty of that situation either, but best to wait and see how things turn out! Mind you, no opportunity to sleep in this morning  –  up around 6.30 am, and shortly afterwards, on the phone to Ron Bourke at the radio station with my weekly local sports report!  For the next four Wednesday mornings, I would actually be on air in Ron’s place – filling in for him, from 6am – 9am!!  More commitment!! Silly lad!!

A couple of ‘interesting’ little emails received through the day.  Firstly, an unexpected Christmas ‘generic’ greeting from my Bank [well, one of them anyway]  –  ‘Dear William [from the Bendigo Bank – Sunbury] –  Providing support, friendship, laughter and love, families are the heart of every community. And during the festive season we choose to celebrate this.  So from our family to yours, best wishes for the festive season.’  I won’t reply to that one!

Meanwhile, from the University of Melbourne Faculty of Business and Economics, dated 12 December 2011

Dear William,   We are delighted to invite you to attend the 2012 Melbourne Foundation for Business and Economics Annual Dinner and the 2012 Alumni of Distinction Awards. The guest speaker for this occasion will be distinguished alumnus Rod Sims (BCom Hons 1973), Chair, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.  The University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Business and Economics is a leading centre of education, research and innovation. This is proven by our consistent performance in international rankings and the professional standing and accreditation of our courses. Our world leading research and teaching attracts the best and brightest of students and makes us one of the world’s most preferred institutions amongst employers.  The aim of the Foundation is to secure a strong endowment which will support the Faculty’s ambition to build its national and international standing as one of the world’s leading schools of business and economics. Support will enable us to fulfill our commitment to widen participation, enhance the university experience of our students and make possible a research agenda which seeks to address issues facing our world. The 2011 Dinner contributed $500,000 to the Foundation and has enabled us to make strong progress, but the need for continued participation and philanthropic support from our alumni – at all levels – is undiminished……………………………………….[and then, at the very end, just when I was getting interested in ‘maybe’ attending]…………………….. Individual tickets cost $275 per person (incl. GST) and can be purchased………………….[at which point my potential interest in attending, vanished……………obviously, I’ not quite in the ‘class’ of Alumni they are seeking support from!!!!.

And from the Central Queensland University of Australia [Rockhampton] where many years ago, I undertook a correspondence Graduate Diploma in Management [Accounting] course, a more friendly greeting, not really asking for anything –  “There are many interesting ways for alumni to get involved – in 2012 we are starting an E-Mentoring pilot program, we are expanding our alumni biography on the website, I’m looking to add to the alumni study benefits we offer, and there will be plenty of events and functions as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary of being a University.  Thank you for being connected to Your University. I wish everyone a safe and joyous festive season and a positive start to the New Year”.

On this ‘quiet’ Wednesday [which saw Susan arrive home from her ‘little solo trip’ early evening, and then disappear again for a few hours, to go and play volleyball with Jodie over in the western suburbs somewhere], I received the following ‘little Christmas’ greeting – very interesting, somewhat relevant to our times, and I thought, worth repeating here!  A friend forwarded this to me, via email, and I think I might have sent a copy across to Mark, at the VPTA.  Rather clever, I thought!

”Unnamed Christmas greeting,

I wanted to send some sort of holiday greeting to my friends and colleagues, but it is difficult in today’s world to know exactly what to say without offending someone. So I met with my lawyer yesterday, and on advice I wish to say the following :

Please accept with no obligation , implied or implicit , my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible ,low stress , non addictive , gender neutral celebration of the summer solstice holiday practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious / secular persuasions and / or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all .

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2012 , but not without due respect for the calendar of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our country great ( not to imply that Australia is necessarily greater than any other country ) and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee .

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms :

This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/ him or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. The wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher .

Best Regards ( without prejudice )

Name withheld ( Privacy Act ).”

 

It was not by design yesterday when I forgot to make reference to the closing stages of the 2^nd Cricket Test between Australia and New Zealand.  I must say that it was certainly an exciting finish, which left this writing putting off the doing of various other tasks until the match was over [mid-afternoon].

Australia began the morning with 10 wickets in hand, and needing 169 runs for victory, to win the series 2-0. With the score at 2 for 159, things were looking promising for the Aussies –  needing 68 runs at that stage. Then all of a sudden, Ricky Ponting loses his wicket and he is quickly followed by our next two best batsmen – Clarke and Hussey, for ‘0’ each  –  5 for 173.  Opener David Warner [in just his 2^nd Test] was still there, and he was joined by the wicket keeper, Brad Haddin, and again, a victory seemed on the cards, as both looked comfortable when Warner reached his debut Test century.  Then it all started to go wrong  – Haddin out to a rash shot, and he was quickly followed by the two fast bowlers, and all of a sudden, from a comfortable score of 2 for 159 a short while earlier, Australia had slumped to  9 wickets for 199 runs  -still requiring 42 runs, and New Zealand suddenly with a 99% chance of snatching victory from defeat. Then followed a tense 20 minute period with David Warner and tail ender Lyons gradually eating away at that run difference, surviving a couple of appeals along the way.  Before we realised it, the situation had reversed, and Australia was on the verge of snatching victory from defeat  –  as the last partnership, with Lyons batting as confidently as his more accomplished batting partner,  –  suddenly, the Aussies needed just 8 runs to win!!!  That’s where it ended!!  Lyons was bowled, and with that action, New Zealand defeated Australia in a Test Match on Australian soil for the first time since around 1984/85!!    Final team scores, in a low scoring Test Match:   New Zealand 150 & 226 defeated Australia [by 7 runs],  136 & 233, and levelled the 2 Test series at 1-1 all. 

·         As for the off-season news from the Carlton Football Club, the annual Rookie draft of new players has been complete, and there are 4 new names I hope to see playing with the team next season – Tom Bell from Mornington,. Nick Heyne from St Kilda, Matthew Lodge, from NSW, and Frazer Dale, from our local club up here, Calder Cannons. Hopefully, won’t be the last I hear of those names!  Meanwhile, Carlton’s Andrew Carrazzo [who turned 28 today], was last night awarded Life Membership of the Carlton Football Club, along with Heath Scotland, and Andrew Walker. All worthy recipients.

This morning, I spent nearly 3 hours up at the radio station again – not on air, but dealing with various administrative and treasurer duties, and printing off copies of recent programs, and other items of a personal nature – the printing facilities are not as efficient as had been the system at the VPTA, but were available to members – I made sure I was contributing paper to account for any usage I made of that availability. This morning, that included printing off copies of my family Christmas letter to my five siblings  –  I seldom get any response to that ‘annual letter’ which generally details what Bill and ‘his family’ have been up to over the previous 12 months – perhaps they all consider it a total bore!! Anyway, apart from Robert generally, and occasionally a response from Jill, most of the things I send up north [such as the reports on the ‘family reunion’ event in Charlton in the beginning of September past] are usually ignored as far as any feedback is concerned. I expect it will be the same on this occasion!  Not to worry! Anyway, whilst up at 3NRG this morning, I also, with the help of the Station Manager, completed two new promotions for my regular programs, and will be interested to see how they sound, once they go to air.

Meanwhile, on the national front, in response to Prime Minister, Julie Gillard’s re-arrangement of her Cabinet and various government minister’s portfolios, the Liberal Party has provided it’s usual instant attacking response –  in my ‘e-mail’ today, we read that  –   “Julia Gillard’s reshuffle demonstrates that she places a higher priority on shoring up her own political position than tackling the real concerns of Australians.  Behind the reshuffle, the knifing of Kevin Rudd continues to haunt the Labor Party with continuous leaks, threats and retribution which are all about internal factional fighting and nothing to do with developing a plan for Australia’s future.  Julia Gillard will ensure Labor’s internal feud continues by exacting revenge on Kevin Rudd and his supporters.  While so many Australians continue to struggle to meet the increasing cost of living and while job security is under a real threat from the carbon tax and mining tax, Labor and Julia Gillard continue to fight their internal battles.  Today’s reshuffle does nothing to strengthen our economy, to stop the boats or to reduce the cost of living pressures on Australia’s forgotten families.   The worst government in Australia’s history now has the biggest cabinet in Australia’s history.  The reshuffle is a sign of a Prime Minister who has no authority over her own government.  It’s not a reshuffle about meeting the challenges of our country; it’s a reshuffle about meeting the challenge of Kevin Rudd”.  It would not surprise me to imagine that there is an element of truth in all that, despite the usual negativity, as the PM attempts to strengthen her role within her own Party!!  Oh well, such is life in our rather ‘troublesome’ current political environment!

It was another night at the Opera for me this evening – this time, to see Mozart’s story of Don Giovanni.  Not sure how I felt about this particular opera – no problems with the performance, music, singing [all in Italian again, with English sub-titles up above the stage, that didn’t concern me], had an excellent seat, and the opera itself is generally regarded as one of the most popular of Mozart’s operatic productions. I’m just not sure that I really enjoyed the storyline – not really much to like about the character of Don Giovanni – details of which both [the storyline and character] are presented below in a useful little précis of the opera. Teddy Tahu-Rhodes, as Giovanni, is an outstanding singer – I’ve seen him perform on stage previously, with ‘my’ Australian String Quartet, a couple of seasons ago, with his rich baritone voice. Perhaps it was the fact that for some reason, I was not feeling well this evening, and that possibly dampened my enjoyment of the 3 hour performance [including the interval] – maybe when I have an evening concert etc to go to, I should avoid too much time out in the garden & sun, which may have been the cause of tonight’s ailment [which admittedly, seemed to continue in a different way, through the night!].  Anyway, irrespective of that, for the record, here is a little synopsis of the story behind the opera. Apart from that, I must say the official program, was a fascinating document, and including a quite lengthy article by ABC Classic FM personality, Christopher Lawrence called ‘Let’s Hear It For The Bad Guy’ – an appreciation of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Interesting reading indeed, even if my feelings were not as enthusiastic for the ‘bad guy’, as Christopher’s seemed to be!

Don Giovanni – a synopsis of the Opera  [not my précis, copied from an unnamed source, does far better justice, than any attempt of mine would have!!!

 

ACT I

Outside the Commendatore’s house, Leporello stands watch for his master, Don Giovanni, who has gone inside to seduce the Commendatore’s daughter, Donna Anna. When she tries to unmask him Don Giovanni flees. The Commendatore pursues the intruder and is killed by him in a duel. Donna Anna makes Don Ottavio, her fiancé, swear to avenge her father’s murder.

Don Giovanni turns to new adventures. On the street he sees a lady, Donna Elvira, who is searching for the man who seduced and abandoned her. She recognises Don Giovanni as her seducer. He makes off, promising that Leporello will explain everything. Leporello runs through the extensive catalogue of his master’s conquests.

Don Giovanni encounters a group of peasants celebrating the marriage of Zerlina and Masetto. He invites the entire party to a banquet, telling Leporello to get rid of the groom.  Just as Don Giovanni is about to ensnare Zerlina, Donna Elvira appears and takes the peasant girl under her protection. Donna Anna and Don Ottavio arrive and enlist Don Giovanni’s help in seeking vengeance for the Commendatore’s murder.  Donna Elvira interrupts and accuses Don Giovanni of deserting her; he tells the others she is mad and ushers her out. Donna Anna tells Don Ottavio that she has recognised Don Giovanni as her father’s murderer.

Don Giovanni gives Leporello instructions for the feast. Zerlina tries to make peace with the jealous Masetto. Masetto hides and eavesdrops as Don Giovanni resumes his seduction of Zerlina. When the enraged Masetto confronts Don Giovanni, the latter invites them both into the party. Donna Anna, Donna Elvira and Don Ottavio enter masked and are invited to join the festivities. While Leporello is distracting Masetto, Don Giovanni entices Zerlina into an adjoining room. Her cries for help are heard, and when Don Giovanni tries to accuse Leporello of being the offender, the three avengers unmask and denounce Don Giovanni.

ACT II

Leporello is tired of the life he is leading, but a bribe persuades him not only to continue in service, but also to exchange clothing with Don Giovanni for yet another amorous adventure. The target this time is Elvira’s maid, and Leporello is to distract the mistress. Masetto enters with some peasants intent on punishing Don Giovanni. The disguised Don leads them in different directions and then gives Masetto a beating. Zerlina consoles Masetto.

Leporello, still disguised as Don Giovanni, tries vainly to escape Donna Elvira in the darkness. Don Ottavio and Donna Anna enter, soon joined by Masetto and Zerlina. Leporello, realising the danger, discards his disguise, apologises and manages to escape.

Don Giovanni finds himself in a cemetery, at the foot of the Commendatore’s monument. He is joined by Leporello. Don Giovanni is warned by the statue of his approaching doom. He forces the terrified Leporello to invite the statue to supper. The stone figure nods its head in acceptance.

Don Giovanni dines, waited on by Leporello while a band of musicians plays music from popular operas. Donna Elvira makes a last attempt to induce him to repent. He ridicules her until she leaves. There is a loud knock at the door. It is the statue of the Commendatore, who has arrived for dinner. Don Giovanni accepts the Commendatore’s return invitation and as a pledge grasps the extended hand of the statue. The grip is ice-cold, but even as his limbs begin to freeze, Don Giovanni refuses to repent. He is hurled down into the flames of hell. Leporello informs the other characters of what has taken place and the others begin to resume their former safer, but less exciting lives.

Christopher Lawrence [referred to earlier] opened his excellent article on the subject as follows:-  “Don Giovanni is frequently cited as one of the most perfect operas ever written. Yet for all it’s ‘perfection’, it doesn’t stick to some of the time-honoured conventions of the genre: there is hardly a tenor to be seen, none of the sopranos die, and the moral of the tale – that ‘scoundrels always receive their just desserts’ – is arrived at without the scoundrel in question having made any form of concession. They might end up in Hell, but somehow, the bad guys rule. In our jaded modern times, such a conclusion has a familiar and uneasy resonance”. Nine pages later, he writes “In a sense, the characters are speaking directly to us here……..Mozart is lowering the temperature and taking us back to the everyday. Perhaps life is best, he is suggesting, when it is just – normal”.   Maybe that was the real reason, why I was not so sure about how I felt about ‘Don Giovanni’!! Nevertheless, I’ve actually now seen this so-called ‘perfect opera, so my non-committal can at least come from a viewing perspective!!’

 

 

 

I made reference to this yesterday, and while most of the names won’t mean anything to most reader, to your personal essayist, they represent slices of Sunbury’s history, past, present & future, hence my desire to include the listing here. Many of the names, I either know personally, or am aware of or familiar with in one way or another. They also give an indication of the diversity that normal people have in a range of community activities throughout all or part of their lives. Despite the selection of 175 from around 300 nominations, one can imagine that there are many other persons out there in the community who undertake much worthwhile and often unacknowledged work within a community who would have been deserved of being included in this list, perhaps more so than some who were perhaps’ pushed there [with their own help in some cases].   I’m thinking of the many community workers who do what they do, but seek no recognition of the fact, nor go looking for public praise!

3NRG 99.3FM, for services to local community radio. Alan Olsen,  Mike Cherriman, &  Louise Humphries

Barry Ackland – local artist, member of the Sunbury Arts Society, for services arts and culture.

John Arthur – volunteer at Sunbury Lions Football Club and Sunbury Lions Football Club, for services to sport

Arnie Azaris– volunteer, member of the Sunbury Conservation Society

Barry Baguley – accountant, of Baguley & Associates Pty Ltd, and treasurer for Sunbury Football Club, for services to the local business community and sports

Hilda Baird – volunteer, for community service for a range of community organisations including the President of the Pines Golf Club Association and St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

Michael Barnard – of Aussie Home Loans, for services to the Sunbury business community and Chamber of Commerce/Business Association

John and Elizabeth Barnier – of the Goonawarra Vineyard, for services to tourism and the Sunbury Wine Region

Peter Bethune – volunteer, for service to community sport

Arthur Frederick Boardman – community founder. Over his lifetime he made a range of contributions from establishing local newspapers to sporting clubs. In 1911, he was a foundation member of the Sunbury Fire Brigade; he was a JP, a member of the Sunbury Show Committee and secretary of the Sunbury Cemetery Trust for 25 years.

Barry Boardman, – community leader, of Sunbury Realty, for service to the business community

Eric Boardman – for a lifetime of volunteerism and leadership

Marilyn Bray – has been an active member with more than 20 different organisations over the past 38 years. She now offers her time volunteering for the Salvo’s Opportunity shop

Ron Buckland, – volunteer, member of Sunbury United Sporting Club and former Councillor, for his community service

Hector Bugeja –  secretary, Sunbury Residents Association for services to the Shire of Bulla and Sunbury Residents Association

John Albert Burgess – volunteer, Sunbury & District Heritage Association. A lifetime of community service has seen John recognised with Life Membership – Yachting Victoria 2011; Life Membership – Sunbury Amateur Swimming Club 1990; Royal Freemason’s Homes of Victoria – 50 year service Jewel 2011; and Hume City Council participant – Hume Inspiring Stories 2005

Veronica Lorraine Burgess –  President, Sunbury & District Heritage Association. Veronica has been involved in charitable work for more than 50 years and a Shire of Bulla Councillor (1991-1994). Veronica has coordinated many exhibitions in the George Evans Museum over a period of 16 years.

Jamie Byron, – ALP Sunbury Branch Secretary. Jamie has been an active volunteer in the Sunbury community since he was 12 and is currently serving as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Mt Macedon ANZAC Dawn Service Committee. Jamie has been involved in Sunfest and was previously awarded Hume Young Citizen of the Year.

John Callaghan – owner, Calco Electrical, long-time businessman in Sunbury for services to the business community.

Manni Camilleri – for services to the Sunbury Rotary and many community fundraising projects.

Peter Cannon – St Andrews Uniting Church Minister, for service to the community.

Jenny Carland – for ongoing support of the Sunbury business community through the operation of Geyers Newsagency, which has been in her family for three generations.

Pat and Dianne Carmody – owners of Craiglee Vineyard for services to tourism and the Sunbury Wine Region.

Michael Carroll – owner, Carroll Directory, for his contribution to the business community. Through the Carroll Directory, Michael has been promoting and supporting local businesses for more than 22 years.

Associate Professor Christina Cheers – President of the Jacksons Creek Eco-Network. For services to restore the Jacksons Creek and the establishment and maintenance of the Jacksons Creek Eco Network Sunbury.

Lady Janet Clarke – was a great philanthropist and patron of many charities in Melbourne from the 1880s until her death in 1909. She was a leading advocate for women and helped to organise the Women’s Work Exhibition in 1907 and became the first president of the National Council of Women of Victoria in 1902, and of the Australian Women’s National League in 1904.

Sir William John Clarke – commenced the building of Rupertswood in 1874 and built the railway station on the property. Sir William was a great philanthropist and donated money to St Mary’s Church of England and various other organisations.

Arthur Frederick Cliff, – served in WWI and founded the Sunbury Milk Suppliers Association. In addition to volunteering at the Sunbury Tennis Club and RSL, Arthur was a long-term Councillor at the Shire of Bulla. Now deceased

Dave Collett – is recognised for his community service as a long-time member of the Sunbury CFA and has also contributed to the City Of Hume’s Municipal Fire Prevention Committee for more 10 years. He is a life member of the Sunbury CFA.

Edith Collins – for community service. Edith has made a significant contribution to a range of Hume Council initiatives such as the older person’s accommodation strategy and the Hume affordable housing forum.

Ron Cook, – former president of the Hawthorn Football Club, is recognised for his community service, especially through Rotary Sunbury. Now deceased

Fi Corboy – for services to the community through her work for the Sunbury Evans Street Grasslands, Chocolate Lily Day and International Womens Day.

Andy Cross – Sunbury School of Dancing, for service to arts and culture. From the early 1970’s to 1993, Andy ran the dancing school with more than 400 students, many going on to have professional dance and theatre careers.

Bob Croxford – for his long-term service to the Kiwanis Club, Apex and CFA.  Now deceased

Doug Cue – volunteer and trainer at the Sunbury Football Club and volunteer at the Lions Club.

Dr Dennis Cutts – veterinarian at the Sunbury Animal Hospital. Dennis has run a practice in Macedon St for over 25 years.

Elwyn Joy Davis – Vice President of the Sunbury & District Heritage Association. Elwyn contributed to the Uniting Church and has been an active fundraiser for Leprosy Mission, in addition to emergency and relief teaching at primary schools in Sunbury.

Eleanor Dixon – president of Sunbury Ladies Badminton Club (2010) and committed member of Sunbury Ladies Badminton Club for nearly 30 years.

Heather Dodd (nee McKenzie) – is a Scout leader at the Sunbury Scouts and recognised for her service to the community. 

Bruce Donohue – volunteer, for service to the community. He has been an active member of Sunbury Mens Probus, Sunbury Lions Club, a junior tennis coordinator and is currently, chairperson of the Sunbury U3A group.

Alan Douglas – our volunteer graffiti removalist, for service to the community.

Alexandros Dacakis – local business owner and community volunteer, ran a mixed business store in Sunbury for a number of years.

Joanne Duncan – Macedon State Labor MP, Member for Gisborne in 1999 and later, following electorate redistribution, re-elected as the first Member for Macedon in 2002 (incorporating Sunbury).

George Duncan – owner and volunteer at the Sunbury Pop Festival, is recognised for his contribution to football and cricket, and the Diggers Rest Lions Club.

John Dunlop – owner of Dunlop Real Estate, for services to the Traders Association and commercial property industry in Sunbury.

Trevor Dunn – Secretary, Sunbury & District Heritage Association. Trevor is a third generation Sunbury resident and has devoted many hours to researching, documenting and producing booklets and pamphlets on the district and the people who lived here.

Agnes Eadie and Peter Eadie, siblings, now deceased. Agnes was born in Sunbury and lived most of her 101 years at the family home ‘Dunblane’. Agnes was the first woman in Sunbury to record her vote and the first woman in Sunbury to reach 100 years. Peter was a well-known identity, he was the local baker.

Merv and Dawn Edwards – owner, Railway Hotel, which has since become the Olive Tree, for service to the business community. Now, deceased.

Hedley and Jan Elliot – owners of the Emu Bottom Homestead, are recognised for their services to tourism and business. Emu Bottom is renowned as Victoria’s oldest homestead and for the Emu Bottom biscuits.

George Evans – considered by many to be the founding father of Sunbury and was one of Melbourne’s first settlers. In 1836, Evans built the homestead Emu Bottom.

Stephen Falzon – a life member of Sunbury Art Society Inc. In addition to Stephen’s contribution to the arts, he has pursued a successful career as a land surveyor and raised a family of three children in Sunbury.

Bernie Finn – Member for Western Metropolitan Region, Former Member for Tullamarine, for services to Sunbury during 1992-1999 as Member for Tullamarine, particularly for securing the Victoria University campus in Sunbury.

Stan Forbes – an active member of the Golf Club, Sunbury Probus and Rotary club. Stan has a long history of coordinating activities and events for the community with these clubs.

John Francis – now deceased. Francis Blvd is named after him. He was the 1st Premier of Victoria and owned Goonawarra.

Andrew Free – duty officer/crew leader, State Emergency Service, Sunbury. Andrew is recognised for his significant community service. He has been involved in 2nd Sunbury Scouts, the Interact Club of Sunbury, the Apex club of Sunbury, Rotary Club of Sunbury and the Tourism Business Association.

Peter Free – president, Sunbury Historical and Heritage Society. Peter has provided significant community service through Rotary, was a main instigator of relocating the Aitken’s Gap Gaol now standing in front of the Sunbury Police Station. He established the Sunbury Historical and Heritage Society in 1994 and has spent many hours researching the history of Sunbury.

Roger Free – made a significant contribution to the Sunbury community through sports as player and coach of various sports clubs. Roger was also dedicated to establishing and maintaining the park on the corner of Miller and Pasley Streets, Sunbury. Now, deceased.

Lance Futcher – owner of Paint Spot. Over a 10 year period, he ran the Sunbury Chamber of Commerce and without his contribution, Sunbury may not be what it is today.

Ron Geyer – owner, Geyers Newsagency, for services to the Sunbury business community. Ron took over operation of the newsagency on September 1, 1951, from his parents-in-law. Now deceased.

Max Gifford – community volunteer. Max was involved in scouting and fundraising for the construction of a permanent Scout Hall in Miller Street, which was later renamed the Max Gifford Hall. Max has also been involved with the Salvation Army Door Knock Appeal, and received a Medal of Merit in 1988 from the Scouts.

Kathy Gillard – community volunteer, for her community service, especially her contribution to the Sunbury Cemetery Trust.

Geoff Graham – is a community volunteer and has made a significant contribution to sports, especially golf.

Neil and Sharon Grey – foster parents, Neil and Sharon foster children from around the Hume area. They have supported 12 children over five years and love fostering. They currently have four children and hope to continue fostering for many more years.

Tim Griffin – has been the local optometrist for many years and is recognised for his service to the business community.

Bernie Hall – the manager of the Sunbury Leisure Centre and is recognised for his contribution to sports.

Max & Glenice Harding – recognised for their community service and their contribution to football and cricket; fundraising and community facilitation

Damien Harman – owner, Wealth Accounting, member of Rotary and a member of the Sunbury Chamber of Commerce, service to business.

Ian Harrison – local sportsperson. Ian is a local horse trainer and is recognised for his contribution to sports.

Frank Hayes – deceased, for service to community and local sports through the CFA and Sunbury Football Club.

Patricia Hill – of the Sunbury Street Surfer for community service through the parent/ support group and talks with youth regarding alcohol and drug abuse. Pat was awarded Hume City Council’s Citizen of the Year in 2002.

John Hoban – member of the Lions Club, is recognised for services to the establishment of the Sunbury Lions Hostel 1970s.

Professor Christopher Hogan – General Practitioner at Family Medical Centre, O’Shanassy Street, for community service.

Francis and Judy Hogan – retired teachers. After a career teaching and significant contributions to the community, Frank and Judy established the Diggers Rest Vineyard – immersing themselves in all elements of wine production & selling, even earning a few gold medals. They are recognised for their service to the community and tourism.

Terrie Hollingsworth – counsellor, Sunbury Community Health Centre. Terrie is recognised for her community service; particularly for support a self-help group for mothers with post-natal depression.

Joan Houston – lolly pop lady in Hume for more than 30 years, contributor to the George Evans Museum for about seven years and member of Sunbury & District History Association. Joan is a member of the O’Brien family, who are also well known for serving the Sunbury community.

Barry Huxley – President, Sunbury Business Association, is acknowledged for his service to the Sunbury Business Association / Chamber of Commerce.

Glenn Ingram – business owner, Sunbury Central P/L, for service to the business community.

Jim Ireland – owner, Irelands Florist, for service to the business community.

William and Samuel Jackson – community founders. William and Samuel came to Sunbury in 1836 with George Evans. They were responsible for naming the village – Sunbury – after their hometown in England. The Macedon Creek was renamed Jackson’s Creek in their honour and Jackson Street, Sunbury, was also named after them.

Edward (Ted) Jarret – member of Goonawarra Golf Club and long-time JP. Ted was a founding member of the Hume Veterans Golf Club Inc. and was inaugural president in 1995, a position he held until 2011. He was the original organiser for the Seniors Week of Golf, in conjunction with Seniors Week.

George Kalandadse – community volunteer. George is a primary school principal with 40 years teaching experience and first joined the Life Education Sunbury steering committee in 1988. He was elected chairman and remains the chairman of the Hume Calder Life Education Committee.

Maureen Kear – volunteer, SunFest, for services to the Sunbury Festival – president of organising committee.

Bert Kelly – Saturday Sports Show presenter, 3NRG 99.3FM, supporter of local soccer and former Shire of Bulla Councillor. Bert is recognised for his long community service.

John Kelly – Shire Secretary of the Shire of Bulla – now retired. John administered the finances and local government regulations for 30 years. John was the Secretary of the Sunbury Water and Sewerage Boards for 30 years.

Dr Alexis and Mrs Marina Keskevich – a husband and wife team – doctor and dentist – who are recognised for their community service.

Bernard Lakey – event owner, Sunbury Backroad Music Festival, for services to tourism and the community. Bernard was recognised in 2011 Hume community event of the year.

Max Langshaw – volunteer. Max and his wife, Edith are valued contributors to St Mary’s Anglican Church. Max carried the Queen’s Baton at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and in 2000, Max was selected to be a torch bearer in the Sydney Olympics Torch relay. Max is a retired pilot, logging more than 20,000 flight hours.

John Lawry – business owner and member of the Sunbury Chamber of Commerce, and is recognised for service to the business community.

Carol Leaney – golf instructor, Goonawarra Golf Club, has been providing golf instruction to adults and children in the local area for more than 10 years.

Geoff and Patricia Levey – community service. Geoff, now deceased, was awarded a posthumous Medal of the Order of Australia for his community service in establishing a veteran welfare program in Melton and Sunbury and for his work as President of the RSL between 1991 and 2003. Patricia is a volunteer for the Sunbury SES.

Phil Lithgow – volunteer, for services to sports. Phil has contributed to the Sunbury Football Club, Sunbury Junior Football Club, and Sunbury RDFL.

Ken Lupson – captain and coach of the Sunbury Football Club, for his contribution to sports.

Sandra Maqueda – Executive Director, Cancer and Natural Therapy Foundation, which she established in 1993, for her community service. Sandra was Hume City Council’s Citizen of the Year and Kiwanis Club Citizen of the Year in 2008. 

Romina Martiniello – student, Don Bosco, was a Hume Young Citizen of the Year in 2008 and is recognised for her community service.

Andrew Mason – Vice President, Sunbury Festival. Andrew has been volunteering in Sunbury since he was 15 years old and has had a significant input though cubs and Auskick.

Dave Maxwell – is recognised for his service to arts and culture, in particular his work at the Boilerhouse Theatre Company.

Wally Maxwell – Vice-President, Sunbury Historical and Heritage Society. Wally is a member of the Sunbury Agricultural Society Show Committee, Sunbury District Red Cross and was awarded the Hume City Council Citizen of the Year. Wally has been a member of the Sunbury Historical and Heritage Society since 1994.

Rosa McCall – treasurer, Sunbury & District Heritage Association, and is recognised for her community service.

Stewart McCutcheon – Controller, Sunbury Unit, State Emergency Service of Victoria. Stewart was 16 years old when he started with Sunbury Unit SES and has now been a member of the SES for almost 20 years.

Heather McGrath – owner, Country Style of Sunbury, for services to the Sunbury business community.

Jack McKenzie – community leader, now deceased for community service. Jack was heavily involved in farming and environmental conservation management. Jack has a hall and a reserve named after him in Bulla.

John McKenzie -recognised for his community service and contribution to the CFA, Cemetery Trust and Highland Band.

John McKerrow – retired, Shire Engineer / Town Planner, Shire of Bulla for 36 years. He was also directly involved with the Sunbury Horse Show, Sunbury Football Club, Sunbury High School Council and Sunbury State School.

Colin McKinnon – business owner, for services to the Sunbury business community including the Sunbury Traders Association.

Margaret McLelland – Managing Director, Rupertswood Mansion, for service to tourism and the community. Margaret is active in promoting Rupertswood Mansion and the greater community of Hume. Margaret also works with local charities and is an active member of many community groups.

Danny McMahon – local real estate agent, for contribution to community activities. He is on the committee of Sunbury Helping Hand and is the Director of the Board at the Cancer Natural Therapy centre.

John McMahon – former Councillor, for services to the Shire of Bulla. John was instrumental in the development of Sunbury since the 1940s. He was Sunbury Waterworks Trust and Waterboard Chairman and a member of the Sunbury Urban and Rural Fire Brigades.

Kate McMahon (married name: George) – is the 6th generation McMahon in Sunbury. Kate is recognised for services to the McMahon Dairy and Sunbury Agricultural Show.

Michael McMahon – came to Australia in 1859 and was head teacher at Sunbury Primary School, a Justice of the Peace, and for many years acted as secretary of the Sunbury Cemetery Trust.

Michael Patrick McMahon – community founder. He served the Sunbury community as a soldier in WWI– he was also Chairman of the local War Advisory Committee during WWII and was a long term Shire of Bulla Councillor and trustee of the Sunbury Cemetery.

Tony McMahon – a volunteer / community leader, and recognised for service to the community. He is the president of the Sunbury Agricultural Show and continues to operate McMahon’s Dairy.

Steve Medcraft – a former councillor and twice captain of the Sunbury Football Club and is recognised for his community service.

George Millett – hotel proprietor and land owner. George came to Australia in 1834 to Sunbury and built Bald Hill hotel, located at the Gap. He provided employment and developed agricultural land.

Adam Mizzi – Director, Autobarn Sunbury, for services to the community and business. Adam is passionate about giving back to his community and has raised over a million dollars raised for various charities.

Jim Moffat – volunteer, for his service to sports, particularly local basketball.

John Francis Mounsey – now deceased, gave a lifetime of community service as a Shire of Bulla Councillor and President; first captain of the Sunbury Fire Brigade. He was also the local repatriation committee chairman and member of the 1914-1918 War Welcome Home Committee.

Bill Muir – former Councillor, Shire of Bulla. Long time Shire of Bulla Councillor and Hume City Council Councillor.

Vicki Murdoch – business owner, Chamber of Commerce. Vicki is a long-term Sunbury accountant and previously with Chamber of Commerce.

James Natsis – Pastor, for service to the Sunbury Baptist Church and Sunbury Carols by Candlelight.

Des Nelson – Sunbury Cemetery Trust. For services to the Sunbury Cemetery Trust and Friends of Sunbury Public Cemetery Advisory Committee.

Fred Henry Norris – now deceased. Fred emigrated to Sunbury from London, England, with his wife (Hilda) and two children after being a prisoner of war in Germany for five years during WWII. He worked at Caloola, Geyers Newsagency and at the front-counter of the Council office. He was involved with a host of local clubs and groups, and is remembered for his love of rhyme.

Terence John O’Brien – now deceased, gave a lifetime of service as a foundation member of the Sunbury Racing Club, a Councillor for the Shire of Bulla, and the Sunbury Horse Show (now the Sunbury Agricultural Show).

Arthur O’Connor – was the first Funeral Director in Sunbury and is recognised for his contribution to the business community.

Bernie O’Farrell – President Sunbury Residents Association. For services to the Sunbury Residents Association and the Traders Association.

Lesley Ogilvie – for community service. Lesley is a local philanthropist and raised funds for various local charities.

Cr Jack Ogilvie – chairman of Cancer & Natural Therapy Foundation. He is a former Mayor of Hume, has been an active Board Member of the Cancer and Natural Therapy Foundation and is chairperson of the Sunbury Cemetery Trust.

Michael Osborne  – recognised for services to the Sunbury business community and Chamber of Commerce / Business Association.

Des O’Sullivan – volunteer, for his community service as a member of the Lions Club, Fishing Club President; he is also the popular barman at the Bowling Club.

Dr Margaret Paterson – Doctor, Family Medical Centre, for service to community health. Dr Patterson was a long-time doctor at the Family Medical Centre in O’Shanassy St.

John Patterson – business owner, now deceased. John was the local earth removalist and an active community volunteer.

Stan Payne – business owner. Now deceased, Stan was an estate agent and known for his fundraising efforts.

Athol Perry – now deceased, started Perry’s Produce Store on the corner of Evans and Harker streets. He was an active member of the Sunbury Rotary Club and helped raise funds for many projects including the Learmonth Street Scout Hall.

Roma Perry – recognised for her substantial contribution to the Sunbury Community Health Centre.

Sebastiano Pitruzzello – owner, Pitruzzello Estate. Sebastiano has so far invested $15 million into the Pitruzzello Estate and has created a number of new employment opportunities within Sunbury.

Roger Podolczak – recognised for his contribution to local sports including football and cricket; he is a run and cover record holder, and member of the Rupertswood Football Club/ Sunbury United Cricket Club.

Cr Ann Potter – a former Mayor of Hume and has been a Councillor since 2000. She has been on numerous committees including Sunbury Downs College Council, Sunbury Junior Football Club, Sunbury Cemetery Trust and Sunbury Festival Committee.

Barry Priest – for his community service as a volunteer member of the Garden Club and helping to found Bluelight Disco’s in Sunbury. He was a local Sunbury police sergeant and is an active member of the Sunbury Family History Society Inc.

Adam Przewlocki – Musical Director, Sunbury Choral Initiative, for service to arts and culture. Adam is an award-winning pianist, was Hume City Council’s Citizen of the Year and was a finalist in the Herald Sun Pride of Australia Medal, Community Spirit Award.

Rod Quarrell – for his community service as a long-time volunteer for various groups including 3NRG.

Tony Raines – known for his service to arts and culture, especially the Boilerhouse Theatre Company Inc Committee. He also contributes to Apex and the Sunbury Arts Network.

Peter Ralph – recognised for his contribution to business and the Sunbury Chamber of Commerce.

Fred Reinking – a former policeman and now works in the security business. He is recognised for his service to business and the community.

Derek Rigby – recognised for significant service to local radio station – 3NRG/Bulla FM. Now deceased.

Vivien Robinette – retired, was a home-based carer and educator for children with special needs for almost 30 years.

Mary Rush – recognised for her work as the chair of the Board of Directors for the Sunbury Community Health Centre and for her support of community health services in Sunbury.

Martin Ryan – now deceased, was a journalist by trade and a tireless advocate for the community, volunteering for the Sunbury Citizens Advocacy and Friends of Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve. He was awarded a Centenary Medal for his environmental work.

Victor Scerri – the owner of Vic’s Cucina and Bar, and regularly sponsors sporting groups and events. He is recognised for his contribution to local business and sports.

Cheryl Schembri – President, Sunbury Railway Station Garden Club, is recognised for her community service.

Ben Stanford – Team Member,Sunbury SES. Ben has been involved in Sunfest and his numerous awards include Young Citizen of the Year Award – Australia Day 2003.

Joseph David Starkie – was a JP, Councillor for Shire of Bulla for 25 years and served three terms as Shire President. He was a Commissioner of the Sunbury Water Trust and Chairman for a number of years. There is a Joseph Starkie Memorial, opposite the Memorial Hall.

Ros Stephens – CEO, Sunbury Community Health Centre, is recognised for her support for local health services.
Dean Surkitt – Goonawarra Golf Club, is recognised for his contribution to sport, particularly golf and cricket.

Ian Sutherland  – involved with the Sunbury Cemetery Trust, Friends of Emu Bottom, Calder Highway Action Group.

Annette Swaffield – a Girl Guide Leader with Sunbury District Girl Guides and a member of St Mary’s Anglican Church. Annette’s involved with Friends of Holden Reserve and delivering Library books for the Hume Library.

Ian Taylor – the Manager, Western Plains Flora. Ian is the president of the Sunbury LandCare group and has organised many community planting days and educated local landholders on sustainable land management and indigenous flora.

Kaye Taylor – known for her work at the Sunbury Community Health Centre where she works closely people with disabilities.

Lesley Thomas – recognised for his volunteer service to sport, particularly Sunbury basketball.

Ian Thompson – service to the community as a CFA volunteer for 50 years including training for band and CFA games.

Darrell Treloar – former CEO of Hume City Council and a member of the Sunbury Cemetery Trust. He is recognised for his community service.

Kath Tremlett – has made a substantial contribution through her volunteer and fundraiser with numerous community groups. Her work spans more than 60 years and has involved St Andrew’s Uniting Church, the Presbyterian Women’s Mission Union, Shire of Bulla Presidential Ball and the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Sunbury Uniting Church – this is a group acknowledgement to thank the volunteers for their community service, including: Peter and Margaret Mitchell, Bruce and Patricia Palamountain, Ron Sainsbury, Rev. Robert Wheeler, Dean Ely, Frank Hall, Noel Knappstein.

James Patrick Walsh – was the owner of the Golden Fleece Service Station and Sunbury Tyre Service. Now deceased, he is recognised for his community service to the RSL, Rotary, Sunbury Football Club, and President Beef Wine and Burgundy Club.

Peter Walshe – owner, Walshe Baird & Bell Pharmacy, Sunbury Square, for service to the business community.

Gavin Ward – Vicar, St Mary’s Anglican Church, for his community service. He is also currently the Chaplain for the Sunbury Sub-Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association.

Garry Warner – President, Sunbury Kiwanis Club, for community service – fundraising and community support.

Ralph Watkins – was a member of the Sunbury Water Trust, Sunbury Sewerage Authority and Water Board for more than 30 years. His community service includes the Sunbury Historical Society, Probus Club of Sunbury, the Sunbury Show and Sunbury Lawn Tennis Club.

John Watson – Executive Director, Local Government Victoria, for service to the Shire of Bulla. He is the former CEO of Bulla.

Clyde White – volunteer, for his contribution to local sports including football, bowling and cricket.

Les and Sharon Whorlow – First National Real Estate / LJ Whorlow Real Estate, for services to business through the Sunbury Rotary and the Sunbury Traders Association.

Stef Wildekamp – Sunbury Lions Club, for community service to help establish the Sunbury Lions Hostel in the 1970s.

Graeme Williams – President, of the Sunbury RSL, for community service.

Neil and Marianne Williams – of N&M Spit Roast, for community service. Neil and Marianne are both volunteers and suppliers to Rotary, SunFest and many other community events.

Win Williamson – volunteer and fundraiser, now deceased, for a lifetime of community service.

Peter Wood – of Scampers. Peter has been looking after dog wellbeing for more than 10 years. Prior to opening Scampers, Peter used to work in the animal management team of City Laws.

Past shire presidents and councillors of Bulla / Sunbury.