AUSTRALIA DAY...JUST A DATE, OR MUCH MORE?
By Ross B. Taylor AM I was saddened to see so much anger, hurt and spitefulness during the Australia Day celebrations this year. And the level of protests are growing. Putting the emotion of what date should represent 'our' Australia Day, I personally feel there should be only one date: 1st January, a date that celebrates the coming-together of our states as a single nation in 1901. Most other nations celebrate their foundation of nationhood as their primary day; we should do the same. There is another reason of course,…
AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA: A WARM LEADERSHIP RELATIONSHIP? THERE ISN'T ONE
By Ross B. Taylor AM Under the leadership of Malcolm Turnbull, Indonesia and Australia enjoyed a noticeable improvement in the bi-lateral relationship. History shows that when both leaders enjoy genuine warmth and trust it pervades through the entire relationship, affecting policing, defence, business, trade and community. Under Morrison's leadership - and because of the Jerusalem Embassy fiasco that left President Joko Widodo severely wedged between his need to immediately improve the perception of Indonesia's economic per…
Why a frustrated Indonesia still wants to be friends with us.
On the eve of the international AIBC Conference on the Gold Coast, there was a collective sigh-of-relief yesterday as Indonesia’s Finance Minister, Sri Mulyani Indrawati , stated that - despite the fall-out over the Australian Embassy in Israel issue - "the relationship between Australia and Indonesia ‘remains strong’ and Indonesia looks forward to formally concluding the IA CEPA trade agreement." This is very good news, as over the past few years the G-to-G relationship between our two nations has been quite warm; just quiet…
MELANOMA CANCER BREAKTHROUGH..SHOULD WE BE HAPPY, OR ANGRY?
By Ross. B. Taylor Twenty-five years ago when I was diagnosed with 'terminal' cancer from a secondary melanoma diagnosis, I was to learn about the magnificence of the human body and its ability to heal itself. Both my wife Katherine and I asked my oncologist in 1994 if it was worth us exploring the opportunity to use meditation, reiki, nutrition, exercise etc., to unlock the body's T-Cells - that are 'frozen' by cancer and unable to defend the patient - to help in my recovery? The oncologist scoffed at us sayin…
Fat chance of understanding the healthy food message
“Down, down, prices are down”. If you haven’t heard this song by now you probably live on Mars. Most of us found it rather annoying, yet it was such a catchy tune – thanks to Status Quo from the seventies era - it’s hard to get it out of your mind! And whilst Coles reaped the rewards from their campaign to bring prices down, down , there is another reality facing both the retailers and consumers alike: Our obesity levels are, “Up, up and staying up”. The reality for many of us is that we are losing the battle of the …
Liam says I am an old man......
IT'S OFFICIAL: LIAM SAYS I AM 'AN OLD MAN' As I walked into the change-rooms at Perth's large HBF Sports Stadium late today for my regular 2km swim, there was a group of boys lined-up in the corridor with their female teacher unsuccessfully trying to maintain some order. I walked pass them and entered the change-room. As I walked in, I passed a young boy in a hurry as he headed out to join his class in the corridor. I couldn't help but hear his teacher ask, "Liam, is there anyone else in there?" …
IS THE UGLY AUSTRALIAN NOW GETTING MORE 'UGLY'?
By Ross B. Taylor AM Back in the 70's Australians travelling abroad were generally adored as being free-spirited. easy-going larrikins, hard working and often funny people. Whether it be in Singapore - where we were always placed at the end of the queue for wearing long hair - in Europe or at one of London's great pubs, Aussies were simply pretty cool people. Today, whether it be in Bali or on a cruise ship, all too often we see just how ugly we have become, and it's not a good look. A friend of mine is currently skiing in…
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