Mikeatmainbeach

On February 13 2008 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered a formal apology to Australia's indigenous peoples, particularly the stolen generation, on behalf of the nation at Australian Parliament House. Prime Minster Rudd Labor Leader at the time being thanked by an Indigenous elder for his speech. It was a wonderful and very moving moment in time. Peter Dutton,15 years later and today the opposition Liberal leader, was amongst a group of seven MPs back then that boycotted or walked out of parliament in protest when the speech was made.  Today he says he's sorry for boycotting the speech and didn't appreciate the symbolism of it, the importance and the consequences.  I never thought much of Peter Dutton back then doing that and actually I had forgotten about it until this all came up again recently. Although he has now apologised for his actions back then has he really changed?  The previous Prime Minister to Mr. Rudd was John Howard Liberal Party. He steadfastly refused to ap...

 Do you talk to your pet? Of course you do, everyone does, although some would not admit to it 😃 "How did you sleep?...have any dreams?" I ask as I uncover my parrot...YES parrot!! I know..I know..but we all do it 😏 "Just going out now...see you soon", as I leave the apartment, I call to a bewildered looking bird alone in her cage..sorry house...don't like the term cage...think I have mentioned that before. On return "Hello love👋👋," and met with screams of welcome home or in bird language it could just  mean ...LET ME OUT.....LET ME OUT you idiot leaving me alone...what are you thinking...expletive..expletive!!  Which of course I obey and once the welcome scratches and more talking has taken place, she takes up residence on the bed...or the lounge...or the drawer, whichever is the preference that moment. It changes constantly and I obey every command.  Well trained...me.. not the bird! Pets...what would life be without them. I know they are sometim...

There are so many new little dogs in the apartment building where I live. Expensive and pedigree of course! From Cavoodles..dooodles..woodles whatever else is mixed together to make a cute, and very expensive companion. I've lost track of the latest trend in dogs. Very confusing! One couple here purchased a new pedigree puppy from interstate it was very expensive. Plus the transport, air fare and vet fees of course.  I'm not sure how a mixed breed mutt would be received in the building where I live? It could be an interesting conversation in the elevator that's for sure! I love dogs...I had one once. Just a very ordinary mixed breed purchased from a pet shop. Nothing fancy but greatly loved and gave love and loyalty in return. They're such great company especially for someone living on their own.  Their loss can be devastating. I know...been there done that. My dog was 14 and they are a great part of your life. A true member of the family. So although I love all the new...

I often envy those people with loud voices. Not the annoying ones but just enough to be heard above the rest. I can never keep up with others that have more volume. I just seem to get swamped out and get a sore throat after a while anyway when I try. It's just not me! You know some have that edge that they are able to "turn on" to get their point across.  Me...mmmm not so much...But I could see a funny side yesterday. I was in a queue, just for some take away fish and chips. 😋 It was busy and lots happening. The shop was steamy with cooking, customers, and noise. Big guy with apron standing behind the counter and well... I'm pretty big myself...well tall anyway...and as I was getting nearer and nearer to being served, I was preparing myself for this big announcement, my order, in my best loud macho voice.  Then it was my turn and all that came out was this soft small sound just above a whisper. 😳 I increased the volume above the shop noise as much as possible but so...

The songs of my life growing up... Sad to hear today of the passing of music legend Burt Bacharach. An American legend in every sense of the word. Composer, songwriter, record producer, pianist and also performer. So many memories...so many songs,  hundreds of songs, many written in collaboration with lyricist Hal David, that has formed a huge part of my life. Many of his songs became standards and recorded by so many artists that will live on forever. My instant memories...there are so many...'Anyone Who Had a Heart' the Cilla Black version as I grew up in the UK. Dionne Warwick and the original in the U.S.. Wow...loved it. Who could forget her singing 'Don't Make Me Over'..ooohh ! And of course 'Do You Know The Way To San Jose'. 'Make It Easy On Yourself'  The Walker Brothers..Amazing...just amazing. Scotts voice is beyond...beyond! Listen to it if you have a chance it must be on YouTube somewhere...everything is on YouTube somewhere 😊 I have seve...

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have consistently called for self-determination, rather than symbolism, to make a real difference to their lives. The referendum is a voice. It is a start. It is a beginning...a shared new beginning.                                                                 To me it often appears money is thrown at a situation by successive governments, and nothing changes. The problems are always there seemingly hidden "under the carpet". Out of mind...out of sight until another "situation" arises. (Just have to look at Alice Springs amongst others to see the problem my recent blog dated Feb 3. A Voice to Parliament would act as an independent source of advice to Parliament and Government to make laws that stand a better chance of working on the ground where real change is needed. It calls for structu...

As the death toll for the Turkey and Syria earthquake today heads towards 8,000 it's so heartbreaking to see the images on our television news. That number is beyond...beyond anything 8,000 lives! Survivors are still being pulled from the rubble more than 24 hours after the 7.8 earthquake. Blocks of flats collapsing like packs or cards almost seems unreal and must send a shudder through many people whose countries live along fault lines as is often the case when one goes so do others. They all seem and are often linked have you noticed. Similar to volcanos when one blows others appear more active. Not sure if that fact is science based or just me, but it does "seem" to happen I find. Also, with the bitter cold winter there at the moment that doesn't help as people have to sleep outside in tents where possible. That's if they're fortunate enough to have tents of course. Just cannot imagine and there's also many refugees suffering from wars and other conflic...