Political correctness is not one of my favourite things, but the eradication of bullying is definitely something I agree with.
It usually starts at primary school and unfortunately continues to permeate all types of organisations and workplaces to some extent.
Individuals or small groups acting alone are usually the types of offenders we read or hear about, however, it is the institutionalised forms that are often the more harmful to long term human relations.
In some larger organisations it creates a toxic culture where employees simply are unable to express a view contrary to their bosses and formal procedures are not in place to report unacceptable behaviour.
You can hardly complain to the boss about their own behaviour! Let’s face it, if you could he or she wouldn’t be a bully.
Whilst employers are usually singled out for attention it is the absence of appropriate ‘whistle blower’ protection at a government level which allows these activities to continue unheeded.
Dobbers have historically been discouraged in this country, a tradition that probably dates to our earliest convict roots, but clearly something all levels of government should re-examine as a matter of urgency.
And if they don’t, I’m going to go around and punch them all on the nose!
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We lost the Origin but the local team’s doing OK
In an area obsessed with the NRL a winning team can make life worth living
Looking back, the prospect of living in the 21st century always seemed to offer so many positive attractions, but the reality of the noughties has been one shock after another.
Of course, whether the simple changing of centuries on the calendar should make any real difference is debatable, but like New Year it was always perceived as a change point in how we all would live our daily lives.
Quite bizarrely, I think, our lives have changed dramatically and the so-called War on Terror combined with environmental challenges, rapidly escalating interest rates and rising fuel costs have engendered a feeling of uncertainty and unease within our community probably not experienced for at least 30 or 40 years.
Will it last? Will it get worse? Is this how we will live from now on? Are all questions people are starting to ask themselves.
If my experience in market research has taught me one thing it is to not extrapolate trends too far into the future. By this I mean, just because petrol prices are escalating rapidly now does not mean they will always continue to do so.
I guess it’s a bit like superannuation returns. Sure, last year was bad, but on balance after years of brilliant results we are having a correction. Not a time to make a change, better to sit it out.
Which is all very well, but increasing superannuation and share prices give you a nice warm feeling and the opposite … well you know what I’m talking about.
Which brings me finally, in a round about sort of way, to your favourite footy team.
Whether it be St George, the Eels or the Sharks, securing a vital two points over the weekend may be the highlight of your week.
No problem … enjoy. One day you will look back and say: “What was all the fuss about?”
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Wollongong needs more winners …
How does Australia’s ninth largest city truly make its mark?
With the highest youth unemployment in Australia and some of the worst transport infrastructure, Wollongong and its citizens are not only badly placed to bear the skyrocketing cost of living but face an even bleaker future, according to some observers.
However, the city does have a few things going for it which are not only visionary but fit the challenging 21st century landscape - some of which are only now making themselves known.
Of course our university is a standout in the sense that it is already embarking on a knowledge led future, tied to innovative R&D, and the launch of the new iC building at the Innovation Campus is a giant step in the right direction.
Vice Chancellor Gerard Sutton and the development team headed up by David Fuller should be congratulated and the planned rollout of further research based facilities in the coming years is certainly showing the way.
Wollongong has been inextricably linked to the steel industry for the past 70 years or so and although the highs in employment are now a fading memory the Port Kembla steelworks remains a world class production facility and a major contributor directly and indirectly in all aspects of our city’s business life.
Perhaps the sleeper is our deep water harbour.
Much has been said by our pollies about the supposed benefits of relocating car imports from Sydney, although the immediate impacts would appear to be a worsening of traffic congestion on already overloaded roads with little in the way of meaningful employment. I mean, a couple of dozen people drive the cars off the boats ... store them temporarily in the open … then load them on to trucks … and that’s it - hardly the basis for a so-called sustainable future industry.
However, we do have world class bulk coal and grain loading facilities which build on our physical strengths and proximity to Sydney, and hopefully the advent of car imports will be the catalyst and forerunner of other freight traffic in and out of NSW.
Tourism has been a challenge in our region for many years. It must be said that Greg Binskin and his small team have always fought well above their weight and given the overt lack of financial support from all levels of government it’s amazing what has actually been achieved.
The opening of more hotels with upmarket accommodation should be a big plus given the large market for annual conferences within an easy drive of Sydney, and the recent opening of artificial attractions, such as the Illawarra Fly, has been helpful but we really need a few more Nien Temple size facilities to reach critical mass. The expansion of Industry World, Futureworld or HARS into world class attractions would seem projects worthy of support - perhaps any funding could be linked to employing more of our young people.
It is hard to forecast what the impact of higher fuel costs will have on travel patterns particularly for day visitors to the region. It seems likely it will take some time to settle with people accustomed to the new pricing regime, but fundamentals of the Australian lifestyle such as motoring holidays and the ballooning number of grey nomads are unlikely to change dramatically.
In any event transport infrastructure remains the major challenge for the region and the rising price of fuel will only aggravate this situation.
Until we come to terms with this and our political leaders set in place definite, funded, plans to dramatically improve both our road and rail resources we will be destined to be left marginalised on the sideline of an ever growing Sydney metropolis.
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Andrew,
Some variations on your suggestions:
1. Introduce a Very Fast Train (or even a reasonably Fast Train) to Sydney as a high priority.
2. Introduce a Very Fast Train (or even a reasonably Fast Train) to Sydney as a high prioirty
3. Introduce a Very Fast Train (or even a reasonably Fast Train) to Sydney as a high priority.
4. Introduce a Very Fast Train (or even a reasonably Fast Train) to Sydney as a high priority.
5. Introduce a Very Fast Train (or even a reasonably Fast Train) to Sydney as a high prioirty
6. Introduce a Very Fast Train (or even a reasonably fast Train) to Sydney as a high prioirty
7. Introduce a Very Fast Train (or even a reasonably Fast Train) to Sydney as a high priority.
8. Introduce a Very Fast Train (or even a reasonably Fast Train) to Sydney as a high prioirty
9. Introduce a Very Fast Train (or even a reasonably Fast Train) to Sydney as a high priority.
10. Introduce a Very Fast Train (or even a reasonably Fast Train) to Sydney as a high priority.
The rest will follow.
Harold Hanson | 
