Cinema

Gadfly 2020 By Robert Macklin Father Christmas came early for Scott Morrison this year. Or so he believed. Instead of the sleigh, the reindeer and a fat man in a red costume, Santa Putin arrived with a fleet of tanks, and turned the streets of Ukraine red with the blood of innocents. Morrison was in his element. On the phone to Western leaders, calling emergency meetings of Cabinet’s Security Committee, devising ‘sanctions’ and above all calling press conferences that kept himself front and centre on our TV screens. Australia, it seemed, was leaving no stone unturned to…what? Well, it wasn’t to ‘shirtfront’ the Russian President the way his predecessor, Tony Abbott threatened to but then forgot. Scott had bigger fish to fry: an election. Ukrainians, he announced, would go to ‘the top of the pile’ of Australia’s refugee intake, then came ‘lethal’ aid delivered through NATO. Not even a Covid infection could stop him. From his isolation he called for Russia to be chucked out of the G20, then telephoned President Zelensky himself. Even when the new Chinese Ambassador, Xiao Qian announced that his country wanted to end the diplomatic stand-off and ‘we’re prepared to meet Australia halfway’, Scomo took it in his stride. Someone had noticed in the South China Morning Post that in a deal signed at the Beijing Olympics, China would be lifting restrictions on the wheat and barley trade with Russia that that very day. Another miracle! ABC News: ‘The Prime Minister today slammed China for liberalizing trade with Russia, accusing Beijing of undermining Western sanctions over Ukraine and throwing Vladimir Putin a “lifeline”.’ As for the Ambo’s rapprochement, “In terms of meeting halfway, there are 14 points. I don’t agree with changing any of them,” he said in a tone reminiscent of his blast - ‘She can go!’ - at Australia Post’s Christine Holgate. The poor old Chinese Ambo Xiao was now doing his impression of a shag on a rock. No wonder Morrison looked like all his Christmases had come at once. For one lovely moment it seemed that Australia’s electors might forget all the failures of a government tainted with corruption, a leader branded internationally as a liar, an Aged Care bungle that took hundreds of lives, the Uluru Statement from the Heart ignored. And all the while the real enemy, Climate Change, got a free pass. But that’s when CC began dropping ‘rain bombs’ on the east coast, all the way from Queensland’s coal and Barrier Reef seats to NSW’s coal and Chinese tourism dependent Hunter Valley; and then, believe it or not, the South Coast where it first ripped through with a bushfire that had climate change written in its smoke signal. As the death toll mounted and the pictures of drowned towns, raging rivers and a shellshocked Dominic Perrottet dominated our TV screens Morrison’s miracles were in danger of melting like mirages. Just shows, that in an era where the greatest cricketer since Bradman can be gone without warning, when a new variant of the COVID plague could already be germinating in some far-off village, when at least nine countries have nuclear weapons, and when the ice is melting in Antarctica, you really can’t forecast anything with confidence anymore…anything good anyway. Not even Christmas. robert@robertmacklin.com

Reading—A beer with Baz SKYHOOKS song ‘Horror Movie’ echoed through the front bar of the pub. The page one newspaper headlines screamed ‘Shane Warne Dead at 52’. The next couple of pages focused on Shane Warne tributes and various cricke ng photos. Bazza flicked through the pages un l he found the ar cle on the war in Ukraine on page five. He was well into the piece when Mick arrived with two schooners. ‘’Sultan of spin’, Bazza, ‘the Lairy Larrikin’…..’ and Mick clunked through a couple more allitera on headlines before switching to just….. ‘Bloody Warnie eh!”. Mick looked skywards and rubbed his chin. Bazza con nued reading his ar cle with intermi ent sighs. Mick took a decent drink and ran his fingers through his hair. ‘It’s our Princess Dianna moment, Bazza. The country is in mourning and I’m not exaggera ng when I say a bit of the Australian psyche has taken a fall. He was an Aussie icon. He even had vegemite on toast for his last meal. I can relate to the Americans when JFK was assassinated. JFK was s ll young and Warnie was only fi y two years old. Heart a ack they reckon, Bazza ……but you have got to wonder.’ Bazza looked up from his newspaper and took a sip of his schooner. ‘That bloody Pu n, Mick. I think we are witnessing a moment in history.’ Mick’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped. ‘What? Do you reckon he’s behind it, Bazza?’ They both took long sips. ‘Of course he is behind it, Mick. I reckon he is almost ac ng alone on this one.’ Bazza shook his head and returned to his ar cle. Mick took another sip and pulled his ear a couple of mes and whistled so ly. ‘That’s a bloody big call, Bazza ……..but you might be onto something. I mean the assassina on of JFK was never really solved and the death of Lady Di is s ll debated. And of course, we can go back to the mystery death of our very own Phar Lap……...It does make you think.’ Mick rubbed his chin, took another sip and leaned in. ‘Bloody Pu n eh, Bazza? Do you reckon a sniper was involved?’ Bazza raised his eyes from the newspaper. ‘Yeah….. of course snipers are involved, Mick. He is using everything at his disposal all the way up to the threat of nuclear weapons. Get a grip, Mick! In these circumstances, the use of snipers is hardly a major issue for Pu n. You really should take a bit more interest in what is happening in the world.’ ‘Well…. Bazza you speak with such convic on on this ma er. I have read everything about the tragedy and there is no men on of Pu n using a sniper……. Another bloody cover up eh?’ Bazza put the newspaper down. ‘Mick, the world seems to be on the edge of major war. There are refugees by the thousands crossing borders to God knows what future….. and you’re carrying on about bloody snipers.’ ‘Yeah, I take the point, Bazza, but why would Pu n want to take out Warnie? I don’t think they even play cricket in Russia.”

‘Horror movie, it’s the six-thirty news And it’s shockin’ me right outa my brain’ Have a beer with Bazza at john.longhurst59@gmail.com

100 Years ago—March 11th 1922

ST. PATRICK’S NIGHT CONCERT. – Our R.C. friends at Bateman’s Bay are making a special effort this year to hold a grand concert and Ball on St. Patrick’s night, Friday 17th March. It is a long me since St. Patrick’s night was celebrated at the Bay and a good commi ee with energe c Secretaries in Mrs. Albert Ryan and Mr. A. Barclay are working hard to make the coming concert a huge success. WEDDING. – On Monday evening in St. John’s Church, the marriage took place of Mr. Abraham Mison, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Mison, of Mullenderree, and Miss Florence, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Heycox, of Nelligen, the Rev. G. A. Sanders officia ng at the ceremony. … PARENT’S AND CITIZENS ASSOCIATION. – A mee ng of the P. & C. Associa on was held on Monday night in the Shire Hall. Those present were: Mr. R. L. Dawson (chair), Mesdames DeSaxe, Sanders, Egan, Cheeseman, Misses Kateur, Colefax, McIvor, Messrs. Anderson, Egan and Rev. G. Sanders. A le er was read from Mr. J. A. Perkins, M.L.A. concerning repairs and renova ons at the Public School and sta ng his willingness to try and get something done. It was decided to hold a euchre party and dance in the Amusu Theatre on Friday, March 17th, the proceeds to assist in buying more up-to-date reading ma er for the scholars – admission to be 2/-.

… GUN PRACTICE. – When passing the Moruya Heads on Thursday two warships were engaged in gun prac ce, the reports from which were heard in quick succession in town. There was considerable wonderment as to the cause of the explosions. The concussion made the windows and crockery ra le at the Pilot Sta on. DEATH. – There died at her residence in Garlandtown on Monday, Mrs. Moore, relict of the late Mr. George Moore, at the age of 81 years. The late Mrs. Moore, who was in town only a fortnight before her death, had been suffering from an incurable complaint for the past couple of years. Her husband had predeceased her about nine months ago. …Deceased leaves one daughter and two sons to mourn their irreparable loss. SUICIDE. – A sad death occurred on Wednesday night, when James Dacey Li le, second son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Li le, of the Silvermine, cut his throat with a razor. Deceased, who was 47 years of age, had been in illhealth for some me, and Dr. Quilter said that his mind would eventually become unhinged. He was a very honest and hard-working man, and was well spoken of by those who knew him best. An inquiry was held on Thursday, when the Coroner, Mr. R. J. Anderson, found that Li le had commi ed suicide while temporarily insane. … TILBA SHOW. – Patrons are reminded that the Annual Show of Tilba District A.P. & H. Society will take place on 23rd inst. …

PHOTO: Moruya Public School 1922, Mr Egan’s classes- 6

th, 7th, 8th & 9th

. Back: Jack Lou t, Albert (Charlie) Stubbs, Bob Bull, Ar e (Wunky) Walker, Eric McIntosh, Jack Coppin, Frank Mills, Colin White, Keith Parbery, Jack Anderson, Hal Colle (standing tall). 3

rd

row: Keith de Saxe, Reg Crapp, Bill McIntosh, Ar e Ison, Douglas (John) Parbery, Les Colle , George Arne , Jack Emmo , Alf Milne. 2

nd

row: Marjorie Colefax, Irene Burke, Della Stevens, Ki y Wilson, Rene Lou t, Sylvia Luck, Thelma Chesher. 1

st row: Leslie Wilson, Teddy Arne , Bill Coppin, Alice Coppin, Lily Colefax, Agnes Coppin, May Emmo , Noel Jeffery, Norman Spiers. Front le : Lambert Fox. Front right: Ray Luck.

Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher’s monthly column for March.

One thing I’ve learned during my short me in this posi on is most people aren’t so sure what a mayor does. There are no KPIs and no to-do list on the desk when you walk in, that’s for sure, but the Local Government Act 1993 has a clear defini on.

A mayor is to be not only the leader of the council but a leader in the local community. Their role is to advance community cohesion and promote civic awareness; be the spokesperson of council and represent the views of the council. With that in mind, I was honoured to represent the interests of our shire in the lead up to the Bega by-elec on and will again as the Federal elec on heats up. The public’s cynicism around these poli cal ‘photo opps’ is understandable. But I see an opportunity to get in the ears of poli cians and poli cians-to-be. When it comes to the needs of our community, I’m apoli cal and I won’t shy away from a chance to speak truth to power. Another key role of the mayor is to work with the general manager to ensure adequate opportuni es and mechanisms for engagement between the council and local community. This is something the new councillors take seriously and I hope you’re no cing posi ve changes already in the way we’re asking for community feedback and ge ng residents involved in council mee ngs. On top of that there is responding to emails, text messages, voicemails, phone calls, Facebook messages, filling pools, dancing with the stars, encouraging residents to volunteer and maybe even draw a meat raffle!

In the age of technology, you are more connected than ever to your elected officials and the public want full access. Above all else community expect someone to proac vely have their back. We are a very resilient community who has had to endure a pre y tough run. Posi vity and working together will get us through.