As the pandemic surges on in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, we inhabitants in the other states watch and wait. Even up here in Hervey Bay, well away from the corona virus hotspot in Brisbane suburbs, … Continued
After a short period of smugness as we in Australia compared our covid-19 statistics with those of countries like Brazil, the USA, and the United Kingdom, the virus snuck up behind us and yelled “SURPRISE!” But we in Queensland could … Continued
It’s unseasonably cold, wet, and miserable here in Hervey Bay. Yes, it’s winter, but our normal winter is dry and pleasant, with day temperatures in the low twenties and nights in the low teens. And that, friends, is why I … Continued
Things were looking so rosy. Australia was the envy of the world, with very few active covid-19 cases and very few deaths, mostly of elderly residents in aged care homes. Sport was happening, albeit with restrictions. Pubs and clubs were … Continued
When I was a kid growing up in the sixties and seventies of the previous century, life was good. But there was an ever-present background noise, like the rattle in an air conditioner on a hot day. I’m talking about … Continued
I suppose we had to expect a second wave of the corona virus at some stage. And it has arrived in Melbourne. Cases have soared. A person arriving in Darwin from Melbourne has become the first case in the Northern … Continued
Dearie me. Black Lives Matter (BLM) has now taken on the task of cleaning up history – in particular, statues. Let’s not get too precious about this. It’s been going on throughout human history. Christians destroyed so many ‘pagan’ monuments. … Continued
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a bit sick of covid-19 restrictions and American politics. This week I thought I’d write about something completely different. Three hundred and ninety-one years ago this month there was a bump in … Continued
The murder of George Floyd has resonated around the world. Here in Australia crowds numbering in their thousands gathered in the capital cities in a mark of solidarity with those demonstrating in America. Here in Australia ‘Black Lives Matter’ means … Continued
Isn’t it amazing? Covid-19 seems to have disappeared. From the news media, anyway. The pandemic has been displaced by the dreadful sight of America imploding. One thing about everybody having a camera and the advent of social media is that … Continued