IT’S NICE TO BE AUSTRALIAN

 WE ARE ONE ...  Further thoughts

 The bad ...

Our Victoria Government has achieved squat to address any ’race’ or ‘cultural’ issues other than to support local councils to abandon their duty to welcome new Australians as ‘one’.  This had gotten so bad that at Port Phillip Council they removed all pictures of the Queen and abandoned the yearly Christmas tree because that tree was a symbol of Christianity and may just offend someone.  These idiots have no concept of a democracy. Apart from the fact that just 44% of Australians identify as Christian, it is the largest bunch but for any one group to demand removal of someone else’s ‘history’ speaks of stupidity and woke entitlement.

 Same for the Federal government.  We are all ‘sorry’ that history has treated some with less than egalitarian behaviour but WE cannot accept responsibility because it wasn’t ‘us’ that perpetrated any ‘crimes’.  Keep in mind – different era and different norms driving different acts. 

 Land - the prize in nearly all wars ...

We all own public land yet none of us own any part of it.  Simple.  It is land we all have rights to enjoy and all have responsibilities to protect.  Why?  Because we are mere caretakers for our allotted time on this planet.  Same for our houses.  We struggle to purchase ‘a place to be’ and assume ownership through toil as a matter of pride but, when we shuffle on all bets are off because, we’re dead.  Next.  Indeed, we were mere caretakers.

 But, ‘a place to be’ has far wider ramifications for some because they celebrate ‘belief’ history.  Enter indigenous culture.  I make no assertions as to the validity of those beliefs or even understand other than to say everyone has a right to believe in something.  For some it’s Allah, for some it’s God and for some it’s Dreamtime.  All are valid for the person and all give hope through history and a better future. This is a good thing albeit when one lot says my God is better than yours and then shoots the lesser God person just for their different beliefs, it’s a bad thing.  That fool Putin was deemed ‘the exorcist’ by his own church to eradicate everyone in Ukraine as they were all Nazis and Satanists – an obvious and pre-pubescent excuse for genocide - the ‘lesser God’ scenario and it’s so ridiculous it’s beyond words.

 My lot has also done horrible things over the centuries including the Vikings plundering their area of the world and settling in someone else’s country.  That’s my heritage yet I feel no desire to say ‘sorry’ to the Irish for something I did not do.  As it turns out, my long past history is somewhat violent and we are our history albeit I have little desire to conquer say Tasmania. Why?  Because I actually grew up and at least try to respect everyone else’s beliefs as long as those beliefs don’t propagate hurt.  Iran has seriously blotted their copy book in this regard as we speak as has Putin as has ....

 However, the concept of a ‘place to be’ is strong, and for some, linked to history.  Quite a few cultures have ‘sacred’ sights which may have rock paintings or whatever and need to be preserved but, dare I say,  not owned because we are just caretakers and it is up to all of us to work ‘as one’ to help protect other’s beliefs through the preservation of their history.  No argument possible.  ‘Dignity’ is a key concept because it encompasses both honour and respect.  I personally fail to see the religious connotations of an historic midden but then it’s none of my business other than to help protect that midden because I both honour and respect the beliefs of those that do see significance.  This is ‘we are one’ in real action.  We are all Australian.  Different beliefs, but all Australian protecting our rights to believe with free speech.

 Incidentally, being ‘racist’ is singling out some group as different requiring different actions just because they are different.  The sad thing is that people identified as bad-different tend to devolve to that marginalised archetype. ‘Gangs’ and the displaced all over the world speak this as truth. If we allow ‘the voice’ we are by definition completing a racist act because we see indigenous people as different needing more than other groups.  This is wrong.  Quotas for women in parliament are equally dysfunctional because it demeans women as needing quotas to succeed.  This is also wrong.

Given indigenous representation in parliament  is already above proportional [2.5% of population but 3.1% of parliamentarians] this ‘voice’ for parliament is the most racist bullshit we have constructed out of ‘woke’ diatribe driven by adolescent thinkers.  It’s as bad as ‘quotas’ for anything – demeaning and racist.

 So, what to do?

I know it’s rather trite but treating all people with honour and respect whilst living and breathing the mantra ‘we are one’ is the absolute minimum requirement.  Individuals with different beliefs creating our collective future ‘as one’ because we are ‘all Australian’.  Simple.   We don’t have to like each other and can choose not to interact but we must always honour and respect.  That is until they also blot their copy book.

One success key entails the ‘meaning’ behind the ceremonies on Australia day as they are not past driven but ‘future’ orientated.  A future for people who want to be Australian joining the ranks of the ‘we are one’ where honour and respect for all without any form of race or belief discrimination is paramount.  The spoken words and commitments are important.

 

It’s nice to be Australian.  

WE ARE AUSTRALIAN – WE ARE ONE

 Australia Day and Citizenship Ceremonies.

What a fantastic image ‘we are one’ is through which to discuss anything.  Why? Because those simple 3 words have an overriding philosophy of mutuality leading to a shared future.  Wow!!

Keep in mind that ‘we are our history’ and it’s that history which propels our differences towards cohesiveness.  Sadly, the ‘shouty’ morons who support the so called ‘cancel culture’ have no inkling that they are trying to destroy our collective culture by creating their own version of history and always through misplaced self entitlement.

And, it’s that cultural history which must be celebrated albeit within the context of where we live and where we want to be. This is where ‘free speech’ is a God given right to be treasured and encouraged.  How else do we learn?  Agree or disagree, it’s everyone’s unalienable right to opinion.

I am Australian with blood lines from Denmark and Ireland.  This inexorably links me to those countries and peoples but, I am still Australian and ‘one’ with Australia.  My blood history is somewhere else but I am Australian.  My family’s history is somewhere else yet I am still Australian.  For nearly 75 years I have been Australian.  I was standing on the school’s bleaches in Launceston waving my flag for our brand new Queen as she drove by.  Why?  Because I was Australian and celebrated the occasion along with every other Australian.  We were ‘one’.  What a great choice she was.

There are many amongst us who want to usurp that ‘we are one’ balance for their own selfish motives by claiming they are ‘more special’ therefore demanding greater recognition.  They believe that democratic proportional representation was / is for someone else yet, that very concept is critical to preserving our combined history - but always within the concept of ‘we are one’.  Everyone has a say whilst everyone else listens with respect and an open mind.

Indeed, our histories meld and blend but we accept the differences with clear thinking and, dare I say, dignity above all.

When our moronic ancestors [we all have them], moronic politicians and equally moronic organisations tread the easy path of appeasing the shouty people by openly rejecting ‘we are Australian and we are one’ they are in effect trying to cancel our history and subjugate democracy to those with the loudest voice. 

Like it or not, ‘Australia day citizenship ceremonies’ are all about bringing gaggles of disparate peoples and cultures into the fold of ‘WE’ are Australian.  An all embracing culture offering togetherness for a combined future.  NOT cancelling anyone’s history but embracing it with respect and dignity.

We can’t cancel history, good or bad, but we can celebrate and learn.  Indeed, our history makes us aware and strong.  Our history is us!  But, our history does not define our future and that future can only be won if ‘we are one’ as ‘we are all Australian’.  ‘We’ are not responsible for our somewhat chequered history and cannot be held accountable for something we did not do but we are all accountable for what we do now and our future and indeed share that responsibility as ‘one’. 

Our democracy / system of Government is for all, our laws are for all and our beautiful country is for all.  For all Australians to revel in and enjoy – no exceptions.  January 26 defines Australia going forward as ‘one’. It does NOT celebrate dodgy behaviours by our ancestors, it cements our future because we are Australian and we are one!

Every year on ‘Australia Day January 26’ we all ‘as one’ remember and treasure our individual and collective past, good and bad, whilst reaffirming our commitment to Australia and ‘we are one’.  The morons who try to usurp or ignore the importance of this concept have truly missed the point.

Personally, I will celebrate on Australia day being Australian in God’s own country.

NGV - an open letter

 

Mr Tony Elwood,

Director  NGV

I just read about the ‘new’ NGV building been given the nod by someone.

I have to say I think we have wasted time, talent and money failing to embrace architecture which would be seen as ‘fantastic’ in 100 years.  There are so many absolutely gob-smacking buildings around the world whilst we end up with mediocrity.  For example, Federation Square is a joke because it does not embrace our upside down river and has no architectural merit.  Another example was the proposed redevelopment over Flinders Street Station.  The designs were awful especially when we have Gare De Lyon  in Paris as a beautiful blueprint.  Fantastic ‘classical’ architecture ignored.  On the other side of the coin is the soccer stadium which typifies the game, is great architecture and conveys an ethos which is palpable.

The brutalist structure that is the NGV has never been a landmark other than a grey lump on St Kilda Road.  Obviously there are parts which demand respect such as the water wall and the stained glass ceiling but overall is lacks dynamism.  It’s a lump.  Good buildings flow!

How about dealing with this structure first!  Make it sing!

I am an idiot but even I can see concept flaws that can be addressed quickly and easily. 

There are two elements at play - firstly the ‘grey walls’ with zero life and secondly the outside ‘ponds’ also being imagination stagnant. There is no soul and no smiles.  Just the opposite are the lit ‘birds’ on the nature strip which are fantastic and playful and worthy of respect.  Proof is in watching kids faces as they see ‘stuff’.  Building ‘0’, birds ‘10’. 

However, the grey lump is a perfect backdrop for ‘art’ being nondescript whilst allowing ‘things’ in front to sing.  A contained line of sight.

My suggestions, as an idiot, are simple and cost effective.

Firstly, the ponds need movement to distinguish them from concrete puddles.  The simple solution is a wave machine and/or bubbles and/or maelstroms emanating from all over the ponds.  Dynamic movement!  This is low tech and in use all over the world.  Simple, easy, cheap and quick.

Secondly, standing within those now dynamic water features and against the drab grey walls we need fantastic ‘works’ which mean something.  How about the ‘Gladdies’ which represent Melbourne and which were present when Hamer Hall was reopened?   How about ‘Othelia’ by Deborah Halpern adorning the other water feature.  Wow!!  Dynamic, meaningful and using the drab building as a backdrop for something special.  Proper lighting would be crucial from underwater maelstroms to narrow spots on key features.  Not hard either.

This is just the start and would say something to the world about NGV.

Cost?  Bugger all!

Excitement?  Max!

10 minutes with Brian

 

Not what you think.  

Brian is a compendium of life’s stuff.  A zipped leather folder containing a pad,  a  whole bunch of loose notes as well as glasses, pens, a mouth organ and a straw.  He holds an evolving list of future possibilities, hopes, dreams and plans to fulfill those dreams.  A cathartic list of ‘stuff’ focusing on the future.  Not a diary of the past but a plan for the next bit of life.

Every night I come home and spend ‘face time’ with Brian deleting the days completed triumphs with a heartfelt cancelling line, organising what’s left to do and adding new stuff.

And, this is all before I ‘doodle’!  Usually spatial design but also articles for publication about anything which I see as important [see nothappyjon.blogspot.com]. 

Brian clears the mind by knowing I have thought through commitments, ticked off on accomplishments and planned the future as well as allowing time and brain space for more esoteric  pursuits glimmered up through some part of my addled conscience.

I know what’s important AND how to make it happen.  The straw is for humming through to exercise the voice box folds.  A bit weird but focuses the mind.  Don’t ask about the mouth organ.

Key is focusing on the future not regurgitating and/or reliving the past.

When Brian and I have finished for the evening he gets zippered up to preserve all those hopes, targets and plans.  As a matter of fact he is open right now next to me with 27 entries reminding me of what I have / want to achieve.

Lastly, he is tactile because he is paper and in my hand writing and cathartic and not deleteable without trace as a computer allows.  I know when I have succeeded and when I have mucked up.  No ‘cancel culture’ here.

Everyone needs a ‘Brian’.