When the shearing sheds are silent, and the stock camps fallen quiet

When the gidgee coals no longer glow across the outback night

And the bush is forced to hang a sign, ‘gone broke and won’t be back’

And spirits fear to find a way beyond the beaten track

When harvesters stand derelict upon the wind-swept plains

And brave hearts pin their hopes no more on chance of loving rains

When a hundred outback settlements are ghost towns overnight

When we’ve lost the drive and heart we had to once more see us right

When ‘Pioneer’ means a stereo and ‘Digger’ some backhoe

And the ‘Outback’ is behind the house. there’s nowhere else to go

And ‘Anzac’ is a biscuit brand and probably foreign owned

And education really means brainwashed and neatly cloned

When you have to bake a loaf of bread to make a decent crust

And our heritage once enshrined in gold is crumbling to dust

And old folk pay their camping fees on land for which they fought

And fishing is a great escape; this is until you’re caught

When you see our kids with Yankee caps and resentment in their eyes

And the soaring crime and hopeless hearts is no longer a surprise

When the name of RM Williams is a yuppie clothing brand

And not a product of our heritage that grew off the land

When offering a hand makes people think you’ll amputate

And two dogs’ meeting in the street is what you call a ‘Mate’

When ‘Political Correctness’ has replaced all common sense

When you’re forced to see it their way, there’s no sitting on the fence

Yes, one day you might find yourself an outcast in this land

Perhaps your heart will tell you then, ‘ I should have made a stand’

Just go and ask the farmers that should remove all doubt

Then join the swelling ranks who say, ‘ Don’t sell Australia out!’

Author credit- Chris Long

Far North Queensland

There are soldiers, plus others who stand out from the crowd, then those few who might be deemed exceptional.

They latter don’t need to be remarked upon for some single or multiple gallant behaviour, simply that they understand their tradecraft and, if entrusted with leadership responsibility know how to inspire their subordinates.

They instinctively understand the difference between example and compunction when compassionate understanding will often motivate rather than fear of punishment or rebuke.

All these characteristics are part of their leadership set, to ensure their subordinates have the prerequisite skills to perform what is asked or expected of them.

Some learn these skills through training and experience, an exceptional few have them in their genes.

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Exceptional leader was an inspiration by nature | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

Australia Day holds immense significance for many Australians, symbolizing the nation’s rich history, cultural diversity, and shared identity. While retailers have the right to decide which products to sell, when their decisions are driven by political motivations, it introduces another layer of complexity. The celebration of Australia Day is deeply rooted in the majority of citizens, and for newcomers, it represents an acknowledgment and acceptance into the Australian community.

In response to corporate entities using their decisions as political statements, there is a grassroots approach that citizens can adopt to express their support for Australia Day. My proposed action is for individuals to unite and demonstrate their appreciation for the celebration by purchasing Australia Day merchandise from a retailer like Coles. This symbolic act not only signals support for the significance of Australia Day but also serves as a tangible way for people to engage in the conversation about the cultural and national importance of the day.

The call to wear Australia Day merchandise in other major retailers like Woolworths and Aldi could be seen as a peaceful and collective way for citizens to voice their disagreement with the political statements made by certain corporations. By doing so, individuals send a clear message that they value the traditional celebration of Australia Day and are choosing to express their views through their purchasing decisions.

This proposed action is a form of civic engagement, encouraging people to actively participate in the public discourse surrounding Australia Day. It harnesses the power of collective action to demonstrate the importance of the celebration and, in turn, highlights the impact of political statements made by corporations on the sentiments of the community.

In essence, the idea is not just about buying merchandise; it’s a symbolic act of unity and expression of shared values. It’s a way for citizens to assert their voice and demonstrate that Australia Day is a day worth celebrating and preserving for its cultural and historical significance.

By Ray Payne OAM

The Australian Infantry Obstacle Course poses the question: will it beat you? Army physical training, especially infantry training worldwide, utilizes the obstacle course as a test of toughness, leadership, and teamwork for the simple reason that it works. You will go from a standing start to exhaustion in moments, and you will then spend the next however long feeling like you are in the last minute of a crucial football game. Knowing that if your section does not perform, you are doing it again. Infantry training doesn’t care about your feelings; it is designed to identify breaking points and test weaknesses of both body and mind. It aims to see who emerges as a leader under pressure, getting the team going, or the character that turns inward, becoming selfish and the weak link.

There is no hiding on the Infantry Obstacle Course at the School of Infantry. You will be watched the whole time, and you must succeed at every single hurdle, or you and the section will fail. You will be wet and weighed down with the equipment you wear into battle. This is the ultimate CrossFit test, and the secret ingredients are muscular endurance, mental and physical toughness, and mateship.

The Infantry Obstacle Course will expose weaknesses in men, and if you are only Kapooka fit, you will fail this course. Then, good luck looking your team in the eye when they get told to get ready to go through it again. You are tested as a section, not just as an individual, and we don’t care about your feelings. Every infantry soldier has done this before; now it’s your turn to prevail or fail. What you do to prepare determines your ability to pass.

Duty First

Analysis by Brad Lendon, CNN

4 minute read

Updated 2:00 AM EST, Fri January 12, 2024

After repeated warnings, United States and British forces have followed through on threats to retaliate against Iran-backed Houthi rebels for their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Under the cover of darkness they launched missiles and bombs on targets in Yemen from air and sea overnight Friday. Here’s what we know about the weapons and military hardware employed by the US and the UK.

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What kind of weapons are the US and UK using to strike the Houthis? | CNN