This and That 2024

 

24 April

A Bribie Island Writers Group writing exercise for 26/4/24 is to write 50 to 100 words on ‘The strangest sound I ever heard’.
 
Here is mine:

There I was, overcome by a wave of ennui.

Any messages on my phone? No. Can’t be bothered anyway. Ah, what’s that, Ringtones? I wonder what they do.

Eventually, plagued by more ennui, I settled on the deck, savouring the sunset.

And then, it happens. The strangest sound I've ever heard. It's coming from the kitchen, a constant harping that refuses to stop. I'm puzzled, until I realize-it's my phone. A new ringtone. Wasn’t that a surprise? 

77 words

8 April 2024

Save Victoria Park

Three former Lord Mayors unite.

How often do you see political opponents unite on one issue? The proposal to build an Olympic Stadium on Brisbane's Victoria/Barrambin Park brought together five former Lord Mayors from opposing political parties. 

Campbell Newman, Sallyanne Atkinson, Jim Soorley, Tim Quinn, and Bryan Walsh, who combined held office from 1975 to 2011, united for the first time in Brisbane's history to fight the proposal to build a 55,000-seat stadium in Victoria Park. All agreed that the city's green lungs must be preserved for future generations and as a recreational space for its citizens. 

Located in the Turrbal and Yugara country, this pristine parkland has always been a place of learning, research and engagement. 

peace and tranquillity close to the city 

Thanks to the Save Victoria Park committee's initiative, a Press Conference was held on the park's grounds on Sunday, 7 April. Former Mayors Newman, Soorley, and Walsh attended and voiced their concerns about a proposed concrete palace. It was aired on Channel 7. 

Let's hope this spiritual and pristine community space will be preserved and its existence celebrated. 

More info is available from

Save Victoria Park, Victoria Park Barrambin Residents Action Group.

30 March 2024

I recently attended the whole day zoom session Night Falls in the Evening Lands: The Assange Epic, a conference to discuss Julian’s plight, freedom of speech, and democratic rights.

Mary Kostakidis moderated an impressive panel of speakers: Craig Mokhiber, Yanis Varoufakis, Dr Emma Shortis, Constantine Pakavakis, Dr Binoy Kampmark, Professor Emeritus Joseph Camilleri OAM, Professor Anne Orford, Dr Ruth Mitchell, John Shipton, Michael West, Alastair Crooke and Greg Barns SC. 

I feel inspired to become part of a wider group of not only Australians, but people from around the world, to actively work to have Julian released from Britain’s notorious maximum-security Belmarsh Prison. The charges raised against him should be dropped, and he should be returned home. Enough is enough.