Great reunion with some of the old and wonderful bastxxds from days gone by after they flew into Cairns last week. All ugly as ever and still standing tall. Fred Fairhead arrived from Adelaide looking for the suit I borrowed from him some 50 years ago, so I’m a...
Warrior Poets
Remembrance Day: Time to wake up – Lessons never to be ignored
Remembrance Day is a proper and noble occasion to honour our fallen. However, there is an expectation future generation will also be prepared to defend our way of life from any threat, big or small. The most effective way to prevent war is to be ready for it, and we...
Opinion: What of tomorrow for our once lucky country?
Don’t ask me when our nation took the wrong turn and we now find ourselves stumbling unprepared into tomorrow, trying to find our way with a faulty compass and dim torch, both made by 'Cheap Charlie" in far distant lands. There was a time when most dreams became...
The Spirit of The Royal Australian Regiment
I was asked if I could provide some scribbles in regards the military spirit which embraces our beloved Royal Australian Regiment (RAR). Given my personal observations of troops in the field in recent time, there is no doubt it is very much alive and as vibrant as...
Opinion – On Parade Memorable Gatherings
No matter when or where, an invitation for a reunion of warriors creates magic warmth which spreads quickly and reaches out far and wide. It is a time when the night before such an event, young veterans are already mingling at the...
Opinion – Our Sentries Have Failed Us
The good news in regards the cursed virus is that its destructive impact has reminded us of many serious national flaws, which are blinking red at a rapid rate. They range from national security to increasing incidents of poor social discipline. Without sound...
Opinion – Watch Our for Dragons and Wooden Horses
The sleeping dragon which our forefathers warned us about, is now wide awake, hungry and clearly on the prowl. To discourage its appetite, Canberra recently announced its intention to enhance our defence capability with more space age weaponry. Unfortunately, such...
Opinion: Stark Reality Not Fiction 2
In past weeks we have seen demonstrations cleverly orchestrated by a small trained army of agitators. Clearly there is a rule for the mob to do as they want, and another for law abiding citizens to comply with or be punished. Our proud history is being distorted...
Opinion – The ANZAC’s are Watching – Bugger Covin 19
History tells us that with few exceptions, our past generations have all been exposed to significant challenges and won. Through the ages our people have certainly been tested with wars, Spanish Flu, drought, fire, famine and empty pockets on many occasions. In living...
Poem – Reflections from the Fallen
War can never be divorced from the terrible misery it brings, not only to combatants but their loved ones as well in far distant places, always wondering, praying and waiting. An address to Saint Mary’s College - Anzac 2020 WW1 was certainly such an example when...