I thought that when I moved to my new flat I’d get out on my bike more. I’ve cycled most of my life, but where I used to live, there was large hill I had to conquer before I could go anywhere else and it was enough to put me off. I still took the… Continue reading Cycling in Sydney
Category: Australia
A Day At The Airport
One person’s belief is another person’s superstition. This became clear during one of my classes for my anthropology degree. I’ve never been one to avoid black cats or walking under ladders. I do have a tendency to avoid cracks in the pavement, but that’s more a mild OCD than superstition. It’s been very difficult to… Continue reading A Day At The Airport
Census Night
There’s a lot of excitement in Australia at the moment over tonight’s census. Many fear that our growing Muslim population will cause the government to cater overly to their religion and culture. I’ve seen a number of posts on facebook urging non-Muslims to declare themselves as Christian rather than entering a joke answer. I can… Continue reading Census Night
Banning Plastic Bags in Canberra
A ban on plastic shopping bags is being phased in from this month in the ACT. My first thoughts on hearing the news was of a similar ban in Bhutan when I was there in 2005. They’d previously tried in 1999 and have apparently tried again in 2007. The ban had failed in Bhutan because,… Continue reading Banning Plastic Bags in Canberra
Do We Really Want Cleaner Air?
The government’s ratings are plummeting after the announcement of the new carbon tax in Australia. The tax, chosen from among the models already in use around the world, will be applied to the 500 biggest polluters in Australia to encourage them to find greener alternatives to their current processes. It seems strange to me that… Continue reading Do We Really Want Cleaner Air?
Go Back To Where You Came From
When Dr David Corlett appeared on Go Back To Where You Came From and began using the reality show voice, I realised that the show would be sensational rather than true. That expectation was justified in the first episode when the participants were put on a sinking boat. From the comfort of my sofa it… Continue reading Go Back To Where You Came From
Samson & Delilah
In 2009, Samson and Delilah took Cannes by storm, gaining a standing ovation and winning the Camera d’Or. The honour is doubled since it was the first Aboriginal film ever to be presented at Cannes, proving that Aborigines can hold their own with the world’s best if given the chance. I only saw the film… Continue reading Samson & Delilah
ANZAC Day – A New Perspective
A small ceremony in Armidale gave me new perspective on ANZAC Day. I’ve always understood it as a day to remember the fallen soldiers and the sacrifice they made for our countries. When in Bhutan, I began to see it as a day to look towards a peaceful future. The service began at 9am, well… Continue reading ANZAC Day – A New Perspective
Easter Bilby
Many would be aware that in Australia, Santa comes on a surfboard. You probably wouldn’t be aware that a bilby brings chocolate eggs to Australian children at Easter. The Easter bunny was sacked some time in the 70s because his brethren had become a nuisance to wildlife since being introduced to Australia. You’ll still find… Continue reading Easter Bilby
Archery
Archery is the national sport of Bhutan, but that wasn’t the only reason I wanted to try it while I was living there. I’ve loved the stories of King Arthur, Robin Hood and the Three Musketeers since I first heard them decades ago so I have always wanted to try fencing and archery. I looked… Continue reading Archery