Cinema

Gadfly 261 By Robert Macklin In the interests of fair play – or perhaps it’s my masochistic streak – I actually watched most of Donald Trump’s ‘very big announcement’ that he’s a candidate for the US presidency in 2024. It was part teleprompter, part stream of semi-consciousness, and it went on and on and on. By the 40-minute mark it was just embarrassing. Even the hand-picked audience of Mar-a-Lago fans tired of the repeated applause lines and then everyone, including Donald, simply ran out of steam. I would like to think that it was the opening scene of an American version of the UK’s Liz Truss and the lettuce, that in 44 days or less he will see the unmistakable writing on the wall and leave the political stage forever. But here’s the thing – even if that happens, the base will still be in the theatre, and they will roar their approval of the young understudy who enters from the right wing. Ron DeSantis – the English translation is Ronald of the Saints – and for a base besotted by religious zeal who could ask for anything more. He knows it too. In his recent race for the governorship of Florida he ran a commercial that says it all. In it, a narrator is heard telling what seems to be a continuation of the Bible's story of creation, in which God works for six days and then rests on the seventh. Then, says the narrator, ‘on the eighth day, God “looked down” on His work and decided that he needed a “protector”. ‘So, God made a fighter,’ the narrator says, as DeSantis makes his appearance in a montage of his daily life. ‘God said, “I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, kiss his family goodbye, travel thousands of miles for no other reason than to serve the people, to save their jobs, their livelihoods, their liberty, their happiness.” Just imagine the horse laugh that would get in an Australian political campaign. Not so in our great and powerful friend whom we follow blindly into obscene wars in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan in their crusade for what they call democracy, but which really verges on theocracy. That ‘base’ which follows, and funds Donald and Ronald is only the scary tip of the American iceberg called ‘faith’ that imperils all who travel in our planet’s rising sea of troubles. And no one among them or their friends seems prepared to sound the claxon of perils ahead. We have known, ever since Charles Darwin unlocked the key to evolution by natural selection, and Gregor Mendel revealed the rules of heredity, that there is no ‘God’. There is no ‘hell’ nor ‘heaven’ in some fanciful ‘spiritual’ life after death. There was no ‘Son’ of this imagined God, no ‘transubstantiation’ of the alter wine into his actual blood, and all the other sad and silly figments of the religious ceremonials be they Christian or Calathumpian, Islam or Inuit. That was almost 150 years ago, yet the wise women and men of such august and authoritative journals as The New York Times - people who know it’s all nonsense – will still not even whisper it between the lines of their daily columns. Is it any wonder that the base is able to rampage its way to the Capitol on January 6 and raise the mighty cross before Donald and Ronald on one or other’s march to the White House. At least, we had the chance to kick our own religious bounder out of his political beach head in the last election. That’s the kind of fair play and common sense that makes you pleased and proud to be an Australian. robert@robertmackin.com

Mick paused in the foyer of the restaurant to whisper. “Now Bazza,…. I’ve booked the table under the name of Smith. It’s important to be anonymous when reviewing a restaurant, in case there are repercussions.” Bazza nodded and they both waited patiently. The Maitre d’ raised his eyebrows and smiled in recognition of both men and immediately shook his head. “Good to see you again gentlemen, but I am afraid we are fully booked.” Mick’s face reddened.

“Ummmm…..I made the booking in the name of Smith.” Bazza chuckled quietly. “Well……off to a good start, Mick. I reckon you should have worn a colourful cravat to disguise your identity.” The Maitre d’ furrowed his brow and checked the booking sheet. “Ahh…..of course. This way please gentlemen.” Seated, they both perused the menu and Mick pulled out his notebook titled ‘Mick’s Restaurant Reviews’ and placed it prominently on the table. The Maitre d’ spent considerable time taking them through the details of the menu and the specials for the day. ‘I wonder about your qualifications for this new role, Mick… the last barbeque at your place was a disaster with those home made sausages.” “An acquired taste, Bazza. You are very conservative when it comes to food. Anyhow, I’m going for the Chicken Parmigiana.” Bazza leaned back.

“Chicken Parmigiana, Mick! The Maitre d’ has just taken us through some great suggestions and you are going for Chicken Parmigiana!….. I’ll go for the Japanese Scallops with Wasabi Dressing.” Mick shook his head.

“When it comes to reviewing a restaurant, Bazza, Chicken Parmi is the litmus test. If they can’t get Chicken Parmi right, the rest of the menu is in trouble. I intend to review every Chicken Parmi in the shire. Anyhow, my first criticism of this restaurant is too many choices on the menu.” Mick opened his notebook but his pen failed. The ever present Maitre d’ offered a replacement and Mick scribbled away. The Maitre d’ flashed a knowing frown at Bazza and he returned a grin and wink. Mick pushed his review book towards the centre of the table. “Now Bazza, I am going to shout today. I reckon we will get better service if they know I am reviewing the restaurant and I am sure of a discount.”

The food arrived and Mick was soon on his feet taking photographs from every conceivable angle. He tasted the dish and wrote furiously in his review book, pausing only to allocate various stars. The Maitre d’ arrived to take dessert orders and Bazza gave him another generous wink. “Now, Mick…..I really think you should order the Crockembouche.” continues…………….

The Maitre d’ concealed a grin. “I’ve never heard of it, Bazza, but I’m up for a bit of experimentation.”

Bazza pointed to the pavlova on the menu and the Maitre d’ smiled.

“A wise choice, sir.”

The pavlova arrived and Mick took photos and savoured the tastes.

“It’s very subtle, Bazza. It has the tastes of a sophisticated pavlova and a depth that pleases the palette. There is a complexity to the dish and a focus on fresh produce. I rarely give five stars. How do you spell this Crocken….whatever?”

Mick closed his review book and again placed it prominently on the table. The bill arrived and Mick’s eyes widened. He pointed out a large surcharge to the Maitre d’. “That charge sir, is for the use of my pen.”

Have a beer with Bazza at john.longhurst59@gmail.com

Examples of blackout poetry by carrizona Once you try your hand at it you never see a page of text the same way again.

Dear Minister Taylor,

Your decision to postpone your decision regarding the community’s massively subscribed call for Local Radiotherapy Services, could not be characterised as anything other than blatant poli cking. This response offers no real solu ons or relief to our community’s cancer sufferers and their families.

Our community has been calling for local access to radiotherapy since 2019, hoping that NSW Health would listen to our call for help and jump on the funding opportunity offered by then (Coali on) Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt.

It took Southern NSW LHD a mere 3 months to come to the conclusion that they knew be er than the Federal Minister and two of the biggest private providers in the country who were keen to enter into partnerships with NSW Health but did not even get past the door.

In 2021 we launched a pe on to ask for this decision to be reviewed. Again, NSW Health decided our community “did not warrant” the establishment of a local radiotherapy centre, repea ng self-serving claims of “insufficient popula on”.

And now, in 2022, we have a new Minister spou ng the same rhetoric, again quo ng “data” as the main reason to delay decisions.

Minister, your department has been ‘considering’ this issue for 3 years, and you tell us that you s ll want a consultant (which one?) to consult (whom?) in December (not the ideal me of the year) to help you make a decision to ‘consider‘ looking at the situa on when you next plan what services you will provide us in the future.

From the get-go it has been one long litany of how something will not be possible. This may well suit the convenience of the ‘Lady/Sir Humphreys’ of NSW Health but has nothing to do with those to whom your government is properly and electorally answerable: our community.

Such a response graphically encapsulates all that con nues to be deeply flawed about your and your Ministry’s understanding and grasp of Regional Healthcare issues in general and those of our community’s Health District in par cular.

“EQUITY”, Minister, “EQUITY”! This is the very word a department presided over by you have been throwing around like confe in policy and planning documenta on, and using it again when responding to the recent damning findings of the NSW Inquiry into Regional and Rural Health. Where is any of the above reflected in your and NSW Health’s carriage of this deeply serious healthcare issue?

No ng that we are now at the fourth anniversary of the community’s first New Hospital & Healthcare Services Pe on (2018), headed by then senior Gynaecologist/Obstetrician VMO Dr Michael Holland, you clearly con nue to accept departmental advice that our community can be bought off and appeased with whatever crumbs and scraps are le over in the ki y a er everyone else offering a larger electoral prospect has been a ended to. And whether you like it or not, in the healthcare space that is exactly how our

community understands and sees it.

Do not think our community cannot clearly see that you took the ball and lobbed it neatly over the March Elec ons’ line keeping it up in the air but s ll in play to ensure you do not compromise your government’s electoral prospects by truthfully admi ng NSW Health has no inten on of providing local radiotherapy services in our LHD.

Minister, as the popular song goes, “For the mes they are a-changin”. Our community is no longer willing to be parked in a lay-by to suit a poli cian’s ambi ons or a remote bureaucrat’s administra ve convenience. Ac on and deeds are IN: Motherhood statements, equivoca on and empty promises are OUT.

In the four long years that have now passed, and with the con nuing failure of SNSWLHD to even extend and equip a proper Emergency Dept, which was a CORE demand of the 2018 Pe on and an equally clear requirement of the official 2017 ACI Report, shamefully li le of any real substance has eventuated. With one of the highest LHD seniors’ demographics in the Na on and a state significant First Na ons community this is not just scandalous, it is tantamount to legal negligence.

Please don’t claim that you and your advisors didn’t have ample me to change course or didn’t have the opportunity to show sufficient humility and strength of character to admit faltering judgement to our community and especially to all our well-loved, desperately overstretched, and badly done by regional hospitals workforces. No, Minister and NSW Health, you both need to do be er than this: Much be er.

Surely the last word must go to a cancer pa ent from Bega:

“I just hope our local poli cians make a noise and don’t allow another new hospital to be built without radia on equipment. It is absolutely disgus ng […] Ministers - state and federal – do something posi ve.” (Bega District News, Le ers to the Editor, 28/10/22)

Sincerely, Fitzroy and Mylène Boul ng Head Pe oners, Pe on: Local Access to Radiotherapy Services ONE New L4 Eurobodalla Regional Hospital Advocates Group

Moruya Books

invites you to a Literary Lunch with Julie Janson

Aunty June is the proud owner of a TAFE certificate III in Investigative Services. It took her thirty hours to complete online. Now, she has set up her own private investigation service: Yanakirri Investigative Services – Confidentiality Guaranteed. Madukka: The River Serpent is a striking novel about family and resistance.

Julie Janson is an Indigenous woman of the Burruberongal clan of Darug nation. A teacher, artist, playwright and poet, Julie has won many awards and grants for her writing, She is co-recipient of the Oodgeroo Noonuccal Poetry Prize and winner of the Judith Wright

Poetry Prize. Her novels include The Crocodile Hotel, The Light Horse Ghost, Benevolence and her latest debut into Crime fiction Madukka: the River Serpent. @ The Moruya Waterfront Hotel Thursday 1st December, 12pm—2pm

In a small dusty village During the Fes val of "Ho" A small boy was born To some folks on the go

They'd arrived in the town Early that day And had soon worked out There was nowhere to stay

Their Kombi was brimming with their worldly possessions Chickens and dogs It was quite a procession

So they set up a camp and the mum had the child the labour was easy So everyone smiled

And that a ernoon They all had a sleep Under a tree away from the heat

Then came the night The Fes vi es started the town folks gathered All cleaned up and tarted

The new parents took cover From the noise of the crowd Inside their Kombi where it wasn't too loud Oh, what a party This Fes val of "Ho" Everyone got shi aced On grog, herb or snow….. ….. Three wise men came "Ho Ho"ing by In the darkness of night with one star in the sky And their giggling and stumbling woke the child, made it cry

The wise guys bolted everyone had the shits, and to stop the child crying They came back bearing gi s

The first offered herb which was already rolled the next offered candy In a nice li le bowl The third gave some Cabernet with a selec on of cheeses To the now smiling child The baby called ......Noel

The annual Bodalla Poets' Breakfast event is set to return a er a two-year, Covid induced hiatus. Sunday 27th November is the date and the poetry begins at 9.00am. Due to the unpredictability of the weather at the moment, the event will be held at the Bodalla Memorial Hall instead of the usual Bodalla Dairy Shed venue. The normal breakfast arrangements will not be available this me, but complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits will be on hand at the Hall. This year's programme will feature a poets' pick of their own favourite poems which have been presented over the years. Please join us for a couple of hours of great entertainment - Sunday, 27th November, 9.00am Bodalla Memorial Hall. Gold coin dona on very much appreciated! For further informa on - Sue - 0427 007 649 Be y - 0474 006 863.

Local authors, Edwin and Laurel Lloyd-Jones’ book ‘The Elm Grove Story’ – a mys cal journey will be launched by Anglican Bishop George Browning and his wife Margaret on Saturday, 26th November at 2.30 pm at St John’s Anglican Red Door Hall in Moruya. When their book was published in April this year Edwin and Laurel decided against holding a book launch due to the high risk associated with the covid pandemic. However, now that things have improved, and upon the urging of many people, they have decided to combine the celebra on of Edwin’s 88th birthday with launching their book. A reading, and an invita on for brief comment from those who have already read the book, will be offered along with a ernoon tea and some birthday cake. “All are very welcome and, if you are coming, we’d love to know in advance so that we have a big enough cake to share,’ said Laurel. ‘We are offering a specially reduced book price for the launch, and as we have had an amazing response from readers both here and overseas, we thought it would be a good idea to inform people about it in our local region. It has brought posi ve comment from both those who are agnos cs as well as those who hold a faith in a greater power. We were two agnos cs living in Sydney, and raising our two children, when we were bowled over by a clear, inner call that took us on an adventure from suburban life to Goobarragandra, near Tumut (in the remote Snowy Mountains) where we founded a spiritual retreat centre in 1983. Prior to this Edwin had been a musician and business owner and I was working as a social worker. In the founding of Elm Grove Sanctuary, we welcomed people from many different faiths, or of none, who were o en referred to us by health professionals, hospitals and cancer groups. Individuals, and o en families, came due to a member facing a life-threatening illness or other major challenge in their lives. Within the counselling support offered, and amidst the serenity and beauty of nature, they found rest, solace, healing and acceptance of their difficult life situa ons. Our charity, the Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust, remains founded on deep trust. The many amazing things that enabled the sanctuary’s development came about through trust and the loving support and shared vision of so many people. Our centre func oned purely on a dona on basis and over me we built accommoda on buildings, and an ecumenical chapel, for our guests believing that, if it was for the common good of all people, then the funds would become available. This was never found wan ng. Within the mystery of a loving and benevolent creator we saw many, many miracles unfold. ‘While Edwin and I are Franciscan Chris ans we always sought to care for the environment and to offer a warm welcome to people irrespec ve of their individual faith or life circumstances. We saw the healing that love can provide for people in close connec on with nature. The Indigenous people of the region, and the wider community were addi onal delights. We were supported and loved in our endeavours by many people in Tumut along with the invaluable support the local Shire Council and Bishop George Browning and Fr Francis Carroll, the Catholic Archbishop of Canberra Goulburn in their role as guardians of our community The li le Followers of St Francis.’ People interested in the memoir unable to a end the launch can find the book ‘The Elm Grove Story’ – a mys cal journey (ISBN: 9781922722553 and published by Greenhill Publishing) online through book distributors or through the local bookshops in Bega and Moruya. Further details can be obtained by emailing – egstrust2@gmail.com or Laurelandedwin@gmail.com