To Celebrate the Good and the Bad
A Happy new year to all. Could be an interesting one. As one ages the years seem to race by. Seventy years ago, for me a day at school seemed like an eternity.
A few items of interest. One would be blind not to notice the huge increase in Aussies with the travelling bug, camper vans, tents and mobile homes, out living the dream. Just at Thora recently counted over 30 and couldn’t see much grey hair. Becoming common for many to opt out before pension age, 55 up. Not good to see many via their experience often the cream of our workforce pulling the pin while still in their prime.
Did attend the opening of Hobarts bridge, one of 5 higher level concrete bridges recently completed on Darkwood road. Lots of dignitaries passing credit around, but little mention of the crew who did the job. A great lot of blokes, in the rain and the river having to combat the giant barred frog, turtles, flying foxes etc. I greatly enjoyed their company and believe they enjoyed Pauline’s scones and muffins. On top of the bridges thanks to council and some grants Darkwood Road is now almost all sealed, a huge bonus for upstream residents, but the downside will be the increase in traffic and the speed some of these idiots drive on top of the massive increase in Koalas now that those wicked loggers have been given the boot.
On to the ban for devises for kids under 16. It will be tough on many kids to have to watch mum and dad many who are already totally addicted. The loss of productivity via this social media disease is enormous. With the expectation that parents should be setting the example for their kids for myself looks like an impossible task and a lost cause for many.
But the icing on the cake was to view our federal trade minister announce the 50% tariff on our beef. With a big smile he presented a photo of a beef product display claiming the big plus could be a reduction in price for our consumers. Stuff the farmers. How many tears within the urban elite to read that following a big rain event in the month 25,000 head of livestock lost with predictions of worse to come. With food the one and only to sustain life, how lucky to live in Australia. How about just a little respect and appreciation for those out there having to brave the elements with no guarantee what they may receive for their product. With a huge percentage of Australians living under the umbrella to some degree of what is now a welfare state, one must wonder how long it can be sustained.
Darcey Browning
Kalang community garden working bee
Just reminding everyone that we have a Kalang community garden working bee get together on the new moon, Sunday the 18th Jan @10 am. It would be great if you could bring your wiper snippers, garden tools, food to share and good vibes. kalanggardens@gmail.com
Kalang community garden
Cure Found for Grumpy Chaps?
I have recently become aware, through your esteemed publication, of a very serious outbreak in the Bellingen Shire of a condition affecting mainly but not only older men called “Old Codgeritis”. It’s a dark creeping condition that if left untreated can result in a “transition” from happy-go-lucky-old-chap to cranky-old-codger. Friends and family should be on the lookout for the following symptoms.
1) The expression of strong opinions on issues about which the sufferer is completely ignorant. The greater the level of ignorance, the stronger the opinions.
2) The use of reason or logic becomes futile. If backed into a rhetorical corner, the sufferer will claim to speak “common sense”, despite their opinions being neither common nor sensical.
3) An over reliance on agricultural metaphors to try and make sense of a world they feel has gotten too complex.
4) And a tendency to lecture younger generations about their myriad perceived failings whilst failing to notice no one is listening.
In extreme cases, if left untreated, affected individuals may be seen standing in paddocks or on street corners shaking their fists and rambling incoherently.
If you encounter someone showing these symptoms, treat them kindly and remember that of all the things that an ignorant man doesn’t know, the chief thing is the fact of his own ignorance.
Sean Slavin