Read with some dismay recently a snippet in one of our national dailies about one of those who attended Kevin Rudd’s recent Canberra talkfest suggesting our national anthem Advance Australia Fair be replaced.
Not really an anthem our man suggested and, what’s more, the words are lousy.
While watching an AFL game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Anzac Day his comments came to mind as 80,000 people stood as one and belted out the anthem before the start of play.
I wondered if our man had also watched.
But, closer to home last week at our Para Meadows special school for disabled kids, I was present as a KidzWish Foundation board member to witness the public announcement of the Foundation’s donation of $50,000 towards the construction of a badly wanted kids playground at the special school.
And to open a pleasant if sometimes sad ceremony the kids present, even those in wheelchairs, gave us a resounding rendition of the anthem.
All of which made me sure that despite what some ninny at a gabfest had to say about it, Advance Australia Fair is an appropriate national anthem.
It also makes me think what other bright ideas the bloke brought to the talkfest?
YourOpinionCounts. CLICK HERE >>>>>>>>>>>> What’s gone wrong?
Twice while attending functions in the past fortnight I’ve heard speakers say how ‘bombed out’ they were when from the top of Mt Ousley they had their first glimpse of our city.
It was a sight that made them immediately want to come and settle here.
Funnily enough neither of the speakers and their families are now not living anywhere near the centre of the city, preferring the charm of some of our leafy outer suburbs.
And, when you think about it, why would you want to live in our high rise development dominated inner city with its increasing traffic problems, inadequate parking and the like.
YourOpinionCounts. CLICK HERE >>>>>>>>>>>> Too much about the Lord!
This is a subject I probably shouldn’t touch, but here goes anyway.
I mentioned this once before after I had attended the funeral of a fellow Rotarian at the Church of England church in the city, and nothing seems to have changed.
At the time I suggested those conducting the service spent far too much time talking about God rather than giving suitable time to the life of the person we were there to mourn.
Well, there I was at St John’s Roman Catholic Church at Dapto last week and the same thing happened, and here I was thinking we had buried the Lord many moons ago.
And,what’s more, to my utter surprise when I rose with the other mourners to sing the 23rd Psalm they had utterly changed the words of this sacred and much loved psalm.
Next thing we know they’ll have a new version of the Lord’s Prayer.
YourOpinionCounts. CLICK HERE >>>>>>>>>>>> Nice to know the facts
In light of rumours that the past practice of regular overseas junkets for our councillors and some officers maybe a thing of the past, but what would really be nice to understand is what real value we obtained by former Economic Development Officer Bob Doyle’s many visits to other countries.
I don’t think it would be amiss for we ratepayers to be informed of where he went, how much it cost us and what, if any, financial benefits we gained.
A simple thing like the number of new businesses he brought here would be a good starting point.
YourOpinionCounts. CLICK HERE >>>>>>>>>>>> Some lopping needed
Travelling south from the city I noticed that the first real warning you get of the speed and time limits associated with the speed camera as you approach the grammar school is nearly obscured by a very bushy branch of an adjoining tree.
And what’s more the similar sign almost as you get to the camera is also somewhat obscured.
A little trimming would help motorists going south and further relieve the tensions that often mount about the camera.
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