It’s time to say goodbye

There are a number of people I would, in particular, like to thank for their ongoing support and for the stories and many tips on stories they provided, and some criticisms, too, over the years.

They include among others ex-city councillor Trevor Mott, the scribe from up north Alan Bond, Olive Rodwell from Port Kembla, that great champion for saving Lake Illawarra and housing near the Tallawarra Power Station Maureen McHugh, Wollongongite Chris Maher, the Berkeley girls and former Mayor George Harrison.

And where would I have been from time to time without being able to refer to the great work by Doug Prosser to save and further develop Lake Illawarra?

Then, of course, whether he liked it or not, there was formed city CEO Rod Oxley, and that’s probably enough said about him.

Times to remember   

In particular, I will recall with happy memories my involvement with The Kidzwish Foundation, the West Wollongong and Dapto Rotary Clubs, four years at the head of the Illawarra Junior Cricket Association, the fight to save Reed Park at Dapto for the use of the people and a period when I represented BHP Steelworks on a special “Let’s get Wollongong Up and Going Group” formed by the late Mayor Frank Arkell.

And how could I ever forget my time at the steelworks and the fights we had with media from all over the place concerning pollution and the like.

On and on they go   

And then there’s been the hardy annuals, some of which I mentioned in my most recent column, such as WIN Stadium and the lack of car parking in its immediate vicinity; the ongoing battle between the local aborigines and various authorities about developing Sandon Point; the fight to stop more development up Helensburgh way and the failure to do anything about our unsightly city mall.

And let’s not mention properly planned development at West Dapto!

I’ve no doubt these ‘curlies’ will continue to plague you.

Take Oprah to the Dogs. What a great idea! 

Word-renowned TV entertainer Oprah Winfrey is coming to Australia and taking her to the Dapto dogs sounds like a good idea to me.

Our local daily recently ran a piece on the 10 “local” venues that might be suitable for Oprah to see, and the dogs was listed at number one. And why not?

If you haven’t been you should go for it’s a very different experience.

It’s quite a relaxing night out where you can see some of the best greyhounds in Australia and, at times, the world in action.

I can recall when I was heavily involved in the Save Reed Park Group and the NSW Governor accepted our invitation to come and chat with us about our objections and as she was staying over down Dapto way that night I organised for her to come to the dogs.

Let me tell you she was absolutely blown away.

And when you look at it, apart from Mt Keira Lookout and the Jamberoo Action Park, we don’t have much else to offer. Certainly not a stroll down the Blue Mile!

But as usual the Illawarra seems to have been forgotten so it doesn’t matter really.

Our pollies miss out   

Prime Minister Julie hasn’t been able to find any sort of job for our local pollies in her new cabinet set up, but what’s really new?

And what’s more Opposition Leader Tony Abbott hasn’t found an inside job for the Member for Throsby Joanna Gash.

But that’s not uncommon when it comes to the Illawarra!

He’s got to be laughing   

Sacked former PM Kevin Rudd has got to be laughing in his new role as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

As if he didn’t do enough overseas travel when he was the PM, now he’ll be flying the world at random.

But then again I suppose that will keep him out of Julia’s immediate sight.

Hospital’s poor record?  

Here we go again - our local hospital listed amongst the worst performed in NSW.

I spent a couple of weeks in there recently and the service was top class.

The medical staff might have been at times a bit distant, but the nurses and ward people were unbelievably good.

My thanks, in particular, to those servicing ward four on level four.

Who’ll really miss him? 

So our Member for Keira David Campbell is suggesting he will not contest the upcoming State elections, but who will really care?

In a career clouded with uncertainty about his personal behaviour and his somewhat abysmal performances in a couple of Ministerial roles – take transport as an example – David has remained something of an enigma, and how he’s kept that seat for so long has me beat.

Will he take the plunge?  

And whilst on the subject of politics, there’s talk again that local churchman The Rev Gordon Bradbury may still put his hand up for Noreen Hay’s seat of Wollongong at the next state elections.

I know many people out there in the community who would rush to his support, but only time will tell.

Goodbye and thanks for the memories.