50 Years - A Personal but Meaningful Anniversary

What were you doing on 15 November 1976, 50 years ago today?

I have spent much time these past few weeks contemplating just that and trying to recall my thought processes, feelings, ambitions and expectations of that time.

On this day in 1976, like every other Year 12 student in Victoria, I was sitting the first exam of a block of usually 5 exams that marked the conclusion of our Secondary School life. 

The first exam was English or more correctly, English Expression.Bbeing the sole mandatory subject back, it meant all students started the “beginning of the end” on the same day.

For many schools, the exam venue was their school. For us at Camberwell High School, our exam venue was the Exhibition Building in Melbourne City.

It is only now that I realise this day 50 years ago was the final day the 1976 Camberwell High Scholl year 12 class would be at the same place at the same time. After 6 years (more for many of us) It would be the last time we would ever see each other. I recall no awareness of this at the time.

My recall is we all very much wanted to pass year 12 but with few exceptions, specific high aggregate scores were not on many agendas.

I fully expected to pass the exams. I even expected to achieve a score that would lead to various tertiary offers from which I would select the most interesting and lucrative. My arrogance was extraordinary because in reality, there was evidence by way of any commitment to my final year studies to support such an expectation.          

Our decade, the 1970’s, being jammed between the free love, experimental and socially revolutionary 1960’s and the financially ambitious 1980’s, is often depicted as a little bland.

It almost feels that very little was expected of us and this even comes through in the written history of our School, Camberwell High School. Much to my annoyance, the 1970’s era is treated with some considerable derision to an extent I doubt the authenticity and credibility of the rest of the written history of Camberwell High.

In 1976, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do or be. My priorities were sport, girls, mates, music, fun and banter.

I recall having ideas about working in radio but thinking that was a dream out of reach for people like me. I also recall thinking a Barrister would be fun but that was more for the performative nature of the job as depicted on TV.

I don’t know if it was just me, but I really have little recollection of us generally having hard committed goals, career or life objectives. I don’t mean we didn’t care because we did (I’m sure we did). Interestingly or maybe arrogantly, we all thought we would do ok if not thrive.

I had been working Friday nights and Saturday mornings at the Dickens supermarket in Camberwell and was able to earn some extra cash working full time in the weeks before Christmas.

A part time colleague (Gerard from memory) was also doing year 12 but had already secured a position with the State Savings Bank of Victoria.

I have no idea why I though this a good idea and I have no idea of how or why I ended up in an interview with the Commercial Bank of Australia where I secured a role to start on 14 February 1977. I do know I had no intention of actually starting the  job. What it did however, was give me an answer to the question about what I was doing next year. It also got my parents off my back.

Anyway, I started work with the Commercial Bank of Australia at the 335 Collins Street Melbourne Office on 14 February 1977, the first day of what became a long and rewarding career in financial services.

Coincidently, school mates Ian and Patrick also started work that same day in roles that also became or directly led to what also became their long term careers.

15 November 1976 is 50 years in the past but as we sit here now in our mid to late 60’s, it seems not that long ago. We are all products of our environment and it’s only looking back now that I wonder how aspects of that environment, or that era, impacted how we reacted or responded back then.

It may be 50 years since our year 12 exam block started, but it was also only 30 years since the end of the second world war which would have directly or indirectly significantly influenced our teachers and our parents.

The class of 1976 had escaped, only just, the perils of the war in Vietnam and to this day I thank the Whitlam Government for getting rid of the injustice that was National Service and getting Australia out of Vietnam. How did not have the threat of being involuntarily sent to fight a war hanging over us impact of attitudes and ambitions? 

I wanted to acknowledge today, the 50^th anniversary of our first, final exam.

I also want to use it as the catalyst to say “thank you” to all my fellow Camberwell High School student colleagues from those years 1971 to 1976. I appreciate you and I value you for what you gave me individually and collectively. I cannot imagine a better place to have been or better people to be with in those years. 

I loved my school years, the people, the influences and today, my most valued friends and associates link back to Camberwell High.

Take a moment to enjoy, reflect and remember that day 50 years ago. 

In the meantime, wishing you all a wonderful future where the best is yet to come,

In the meantime, wishing you all a wonderful future where the best is yet to come,

Colin Morley

Camberwell High School

Tuesday 2 February 1971 to Monday 15 November 1977 (plus other exam dates)

 

We Were Horny Then

Remember the 60’s, flower power and free love.

 Then there was Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n Roll in the 70’s and 80’s.

 It is all a bit dull in 2023, isn’t it?

At the end of each year, Google releases various data about the most search or Googled things of the year.

 The 2023 most Googled sex questions came to my attention and I was a little shocked.

I guess searching for details about a particular sex position could be expected and in 2023, the question concerned the speed hump position. But for this to be the number one question surprised me a little. There must be more interesting and adventurous positions to ask about, or invent.

The 5^th most popular question concerned how many dates should occur before sex. Sometimes one date is too many and one hundred not enough. Is it still 3 dates?

 While first being shocked at the mainly benign nature of the most popular questions a little reflection had me wondering if the easy access to graphic and unrealistic vision via numerous adult websites is having an impact on what we already know or think we know.

 Or maybe we are genuinely becoming more conservative in our teenage sexual explorations and there is less peer pressure to conform to stereotype.

 But putting all that aside, the tenth most popular sex questions posed to Google in 2023 particularly surprised me.

 he subject upon which information was being sort had never entered my consciousness. Further, I am not aware of it ever entering the consciousness of anyone I know.

I would be interested, at least I think I would be interested to know if it has ever entered the thoughts of anyone reading this. (marine biologists excepted)

Then again, is it possible I am the only person who has never wondered, considered or contemplated “How do fish have sex”

 For those interested, here is the source article   

Writers' Write

I identify as a cyclist; therefore, I ride my bike several times a week.

I identify as a runner, and likewise, I go for a run several times a week.

I identify as a reader of books and read on an almost daily basis.

I identify as many things, and practice each on a regular basis as appropriate to what each is.

I identify as a writer, but over the last 12 months, I have very rarely written.

Writing is an outlet, a recording of ideas, opinions, events, observations, and conversations.

Regular writing has many benefits.

When writing regularly, my senses of observation seem to grow along with the ability to recall and interpret. It is like a muscle that grows stronger with use.

When writing regularly, conversations that are seemingly mundane become more interesting because the tendency is to concentrate and ask questions, to learn because everyone is a teacher.

Diverting for a moment.

I do not like New Year resolutions. I see no reason why a selected date should be the date to start or stop something. Often, a New Years Resolution is an excuse to delay an action. What is the point of saying in August, come 1 January I will do this or that? It is more correctly called a New Year procrastination.

All year long we do minor versions of a New Year procrastination. We put off doing something until the first of the month, next Monday or at a more micro level, until the top of the hour. All are procrastination facilitators.

I am an expert at facilitating procrastinations. I will decide to go for a run at 6 am and then waste 12 minutes waiting until 6 am.

I am set on changing this habit right now, this moment at a day, date and time that is now.

Where was I before this little diversion?

In 2024, I will discover new music. We do run the risk of being set in our musical ways and retreating to the comfort of what we know. I will write about my discoveries.

In 2024, I will read at least 26 books, Now, this is not one book per fortnight, it just happens to be a number that equals the number of fortnights. I will discuss books in writing too. I will allocate time each week for focused, uninterrupted reading.

Last year, I delved in to the world of YouTube creating with my Melbourne Marathon project. I will diversify and expand my YouTube creativity in 2024. I might even write about it.

The downside of writing, or any creating is vulnerability. I tend to deal in the real rather than fictional exposing myself to judgement and criticism. No one likes criticism however, if I am to express an opinion, I must be open to others doing the same, about me.

When expressing a critical opinion, I will acknowledge the other side of the argument and always offer a solution. It is easy to be critical, however a critical opinion is only ever of value if it includes a solution. Please call me out if I fall short on either front.

Economics has been a long term interest. I am however moving away from the graphs and data, the science, the art and the analysis. Instead, I am establishing the “Observational Economist” This is the looking at the economy by way of observing changes in behaviour, intent, and mood in real or at least recent time rather than 3 months, 6 months later.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) fascinates me. I am determined to learn more about it and to share my findings from the basis of every day use by normal people. Most of the talk around AI seems aimed at big business, big money endeavours. My interest is the everyday applications of this new wonder. I will write about it.

I am also looking at The Absurd, and there is an abundance of things to look at. Feel free to offer suggestions.

Finally, I will be establishing a new or alternative platform, although posts will continue here, I will be transitioning to a new site in the coming weeks.

Welcome to 2024, a year of new beginnings, new discoveries, connections or re-connections and of thoughtful, meaningful, and respectful conversations.

I identify as a writer and I write regularly.

Scrap all funding promised for Women’s Sport announced these past 10 days (keep reading)

Australia, give yourself a big pat on the back.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) is done and dusted and by any measure it has been the most successful WWC ever.

 Record crowds, ticket sales, sponsorships, TV ratings, social media engagement, media content, everything has exceeded all that has gone before it. Well done Australia (and New Zealand)

 And what about our Matildas, the Australian Women’s Football Team? They have gone deeper in to the tournament than ever before, become household names and conducted themselves with absolute professionalism as fierce competitors on the field and with esteem and respect off the field.

Males, Females and Neutrals are wearing Matilda merchandise, proudly and with no regard to gender. Boys are asking what the boy version of a Matilda is called.

Not surprisingly, our retrospectively opportunistic politicians are clamoring to board the high floating ship.

Cash strapped Governments are pledging funds for female sports. $50 million here, $100 million there. Ministers, opposition front benchers and local members alike have suddenly become aware of the inadequacy of playing facilities and changing rooms.

 It is like they have all just realised girls and women are not all that inclined to use a urinal. (A typical sporting club changing rooms will have a urinal and 2, maybe 3 cubicles, more than adequate for most male teams).

 In the rush to be popular, the Federal Government and Opposition have made various promises to fund a variety of activities and infrastructure for Women’s sport.

My concern is we will suffer the fate of lots of hot air involving many words, too many speeches, promises and associated photo opportunities and as the front pages are filled with the next big thing, nothing will happen.

I propose the Federal Government and Opposition do the following:

• Jointly announce all promises and commitments made in the wake of the WWC are withdrawn
• Announce a bipartisan equal representation committee with each Leader alternating as Chair. This committee will determine where funds are most needed and instruct the Department of Sport to allocate project priorities. The committee has no authority to change the allocation of projects
• The Federal Government and Opposition will commit to a level of funding in the next budget and for this to be an annual amount for 15 years indexed to inflation. This means even when the colour of the Government changes, funding does not.

I understand mine is a very broad brushed proposal lacking in detail.

I also understand that when one side of politics want to discredit the other the first line of attack is “we need more detail.”

But let us be bigger than that and look at the concept here.

For the past 16 years, our leaders across all parties have been unable to work together to deliver stability. Business has been screaming with frustration for a clear concise energy policy. The farming fraternity has been wanting a clear, consistent water and climate policy and industry in general wants stable and consistent tax and employment policies.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup has united a nation.

What if its bigger and more important legacy in Australia was providing the catalyst to return to some consistent policy initiatives, securely funded and prioritised for the good of the community and not for the short term goal of a politician standing for election or re-election.

And what if this were to be a new standard for doing what is best for Australia each time on every issue?

What is there to lose?

Getting The Band Back Together – Playing Since 1971

Everything has a beginning, a middle and an end.

In this story, the beginning takes place in 1971, 51 years ago. 

In 1971, Michael, Mathew and Peter are members of the Kew Hockey Club Junior Division. Les is part of the cadet sailing program at Royal Melbourne Yacht Club while Brett, Colin and Ted are in their first year at Camberwell High School.

The glue that joins these three diverse groups in 1971 is Ian as a member of the hockey club, a sailing cadet and in his first year at Camberwell High.

The weekend just past would not have occurred had Ian been a cricketer, a footballer or a private school student. There would have been a different beginning. 

We gathered at Ted’s on Friday evening for celebratory drinks, a wood fired home cooked pizza or three, many laughs, exchanges of views, much ribbing and a sharing of emotions. 

That 51 years on, this group of 8 are able to happily, easily and appreciatingly come together is remarkable.

And how much our conversation has changed.

Once we talked endlessly of the games we played, the parties we attended, the girls we dated (or who refused to date us) and the cars we drove (or crashed). In our late teens, we added talk of education, career and relationship choices to our conversations. Parenting came next and now for most of us, it is Grandparenting.      

When once our health related conversation addressed hangover cures, sleep deprivation mitigation and the odd corked muscle, now it is more about the ailments being managed, the joints being tendered and the organs being cared for.

Of our 8, one has a replaced hip, another is scheduled to acquire a new knee while two have benefitted from the miracle of cardiac surgery. There has also been a recent prostrate surgery,

Due to recent cardiac surgery Ted was unable to join us for the following 2 days.

No, that’s not correct. Ted’s physical presence was not with us, but he was most certainly there.

There is after all no band without the drummer to keep time, maintain the beat.

Back Row - from the left -Brett, Peter, Michael, Mathew. Front Row from the left Les, Ian, Colin. And short one Drummer - next time Ted

Once upon a time, 2 days away would have required (at least) 8 cartons of beer, some litres (and litres) of port and just a few bottles of Clare Valley’s finest, Taylors being our winery of choice. 

This past weekend, some fine wines were certainly consumed, but in appropriate quantities properly allowing for their appreciation. Rather than the flagons of port of past decades, the container was a bottle, sealed by way of a cork not a screw top. The count of beer cartons came to 3 plus some organic cyder, ginger beer and even, yes even, some zero alcohol beer.

How times have changed. 

And proud of these changes we all should be and we all are.

As a group we have much to be appreciative of. We all have healthy, educated and independent children. We all get on well with them too.

To varying degrees, we have all had some business success and are now in different phases of winding down our formal working lives.

We all have much to be grateful for; we all have much to look forward too.

Accordingly, we are all conscious of the choices we make and the potential impact on our future health and active lifestyles and the quality of friend and family interactions. 

We have unconditionally supported each other since 1971, and this support continues to grow, to strengthen and be ever more important and ever more valued.

One of us chose to abstain from alcohol. Once such a decision would have been mocked, all but forbidden and hardly accepted but not a negative word was spoken.

Another had meticulously planned an alternative diet, fish not red meat, salad not baked potato, and again, not a negative word was spoken.

More so, there was curiosity about what the objective is, what is to be achieved by such lifestyle choices.

It is impossible to imagine even 20 years ago, one of us being alcohol free or red meat minimal during a weekend away.

Health, longevity and active living was a recurring theme of the weekend’s conversation.

We are all committed to supporting the choices each make.

Equally, we are all selfish enough to hope, to absolutely 100% hope that our choices ensure that 51 years becomes 71 years and then some.

There is always a beginning, a middle and an end; may we be in the middle phase right now.

Old friends are the best friends and may the 8 of us become older and better, always with the drummer, in person, keeping the beat. 

We are grateful, we are appreciative and we are extremely thankful that in 1971, Ian went sailing in summer, played hockey in winter and started secondary school at Camberwell High.

 

Extreme Serenity - The scene we woke to on our final morning

 

Scotty Goes to Sydney – The trip itself is not the concern

If you are reading this, I assume you know about the Australian Prime Minister’s Fathers Day jaunt to Sydney.

To be clear, I am not too concerned about the trip itself.

I am not overly annoyed he received permissions and dispensations difficult if not impossible for others to obtain.

I am not rampaging about the cost or the use of a RAAF passenger aircraft.

I am not even all that concerned he gets to visit his children in Sydney when I cannot do the same.

I am however deeply concerned about what this simple Canberra to Sydney return may tell us about the Prime Ministers Office and our security.

For example, the Prime Minister (or his office) advised the PM intended staying in Sydney and working from there for the next few weeks. They said he only returned to Canberra on Sunday in order to Chair the Security Committee meeting on Monday.  

Is the Prime Minister’s office so shambolic, so incompetent and so disorganised that a scheduled and important meeting 2 days later was not known to them?  If so, and it appeared it must be so, we should all be concerned, as should our international partners and allies at such a high level of disorganisation and the appearance they are making it all up as they go 

And amid such chaos, how did Scott Morrison hope to prepare for such an important meeting.

Australia’s leader may well be a very clever person however even the best and brightest would prepare in advance for such a meeting. Afterall, such preparation is one of the reasons they are the best and brightest. It is a concern that no preparation would be possible or planned in advance.

However, it seems we did not originally have the full set of facts.

Following further questioning, it was revealed the Prime Minister was aware of the upcoming Security Committee meeting and planned to attend “remotely”. However, for security reasons it was decided he should head back to Canberra and perform his role in person.

So, what had transpired in the less than 48 hours between departing Canberra and deciding to return to trigger such security concerns in the communication channels between the PM’s official residence on Sydney and Government offices in Canberra?

Only a week before, several attendees at a Security Committee Meeting did so remotely so something must have changed.

What happened between Saturday morning when the PM departed Canberra and Sunday afternoon when he returned that resulted in severe security concerns for remote attendees?

Was there a cyber-attack, computer failure, security breach meaning a secure connection was impossible all of a sudden or something else more sinister.

If no secure link was possible between Sydney and Canberra a secure international communication channel would have been impossible.

Would our Government have been forced to exclude itself from conversations in the event a major international incident, a military action, major accident or disaster occurred? The only conclusion is we would have excluded ourselves potentially leaving Australian citizens unrepresented.

This communications security issue may be the real reason President Biden did not discuss the Afghanistan matter with the leader of their most loyal and trusted ally until the evacuation was complete.

Finally, I am concerned about the quality and intelligence of those supporting and advising the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister has been clear he was not being secretive about his trip.

However, all the actions of his support team clearly “misrepresent” his “lack of secrecy”. Specifically, the family photo posted to his Instagram account for Father’s Day gave every impression of creating the illusion he was away from his children on the day.

While there has been much criticism, comment and outrage about the Father’s Day trip, I contend there are far more important matters that should be exercised that come to light only because of this trip.

My final observation is, Scott Morrison gives the appearance of someone confident he is always the smartest the person in the room. Based on what appears to be the quality and competence of those who support and advise him, he will surely remain the smartest for the foreseeable future.

Vaccination Incentive and Respect Individual Decisions

Early today, a prominent broadcast journalist tweeted this                

Based on current Aust data, your chance of death here from the AZ vax is 1 in 1.9M.

For context, Australian Geographic puts your odds of being struck by lightning at 1 in 1.6M. 

You are more likely to be struck by lightning than to die of the AZ vax.

Don’t fear vaccination.

I have not verified the accuracy of the details in this tweet but ask that we assume it is true.

The data also seems to suggest, the chances of death from AstraZeneca is greater than the chances of death from catching Covid-19 in Australia.

That aside, what is holding us back from being vaccinated?

We are being encouraged to get vaccinated so we can achieve herd immunity.

That’s fine, but for many in the community, the 70 or 80 or 90% needed for herd immunity can be achieved with out “me” personally risking the vaccine. *

Besides, is it 70%, 80% or what? Either no one knows or isn’t saying.

There is another group of people who carry existing health issues making severe consequences of Covid-19 more likely. Inevitably, they have received very clear advice about this from their GP.

A friend recently shared their GP advice which was something similar to “You are not someone who would deal well with Covid. Get vaccinated now”. They did.

For many others, there is no perceived benefit to being vaccinated. They may desire herd immunity but believe this can be achieved without them.

If I am a fully vaccinated Queensland resident who was in Melbourne a week or so ago, I would have risked mandatory self-funded hotel quarantine on return.

How about fully vaccinated person on return only have to submit to a Covid-19 test and home isolation until a negative test is recorded. Would that be an incentive for people to vaccinate?

It would be an incentive for me. 

Further. many of us would at least like the option to again travel internationally.

I read that travel is opening between the European Block Countries for those who are fully vaccinated. This is the report I refer too.. The fact that the individual is vaccinated combined with community vaccination rates appears to be the basis for such a decision. 

I also read negotiations are progressing to allow travel between USA and UK based on similar conditions and vaccination rates. Click for the article .

Can we do similar?

Is it past time for the Federal Government to set some clear targets for allowing international travel to selected countries?

Would we have a greater incentive to vaccinate if there was a commitment to allow us to travel when we achieve 80% community vaccination?

Again, it would be an incentive for me.

A decision to vaccinate or not to vaccinate is a personal one and should be respected one way or the other.

Making our own personal decisions does not mean we should become evangelistic in support of or to justify our own decision. We cannot really know the reasons or the fears that contribute to another’s decision to vaccinate or not.

What I do believe is, right now there is a lack of personal incentive for many to act. I also believe the lack of clear leadership, mixed messages about the importance to vaccinate and it not being a race is confusing many.

Let’s have some clarity and lets have some incentive so fully informed decisions can be made by us all.

 

*By way of full disclosure, I have received my first AstraZeneca vaccination and will have my second as per my booking.