Category: Uncategorized

Let’s not Forget the Real Pioneers of Women’s Football.

I have been a supporter of women’s sport regardless of which code or game however I am finding it very interesting how the media in particular have claimed the AFL women are the new storm about to take over Australia.

Good on em I say but the facts pertaining to women and playing a code of competitive football date back to the mid 1960,s at Intrastate level, interstate level and nationally and Ipswich was a major force with the Barclay family at its helm at all levels at Coalstars.

Yes the AFL is the flavour of the month if you listen the the spin with the journalists at present, so much so that our local team the Brisbane Roar women won the national premiership plate with minimal coverage given 2 days after they won.

I applaud that the AFL for taking up the gauntlet and realised women can play but it’s taken them 50 years, and each sport has its “Pioneers” but I bet the people who believed women and girls could play 50 years ago would have loved the support and coverage that’s out there now when they were turning out at Blackstone

Shipyard/Yungabar Culture needed Australia Day and Beyond. 

As a starry eyed 15 year old apprentice in the 60’s I learnt how important it was to get on with migrants so we could get the job done.Evens Deakin shipyard was a stones throw from Yungabar hostel, the gateway for the future of thousands worldwide who’s first job was at the Yard as tradesmen, iron workers, dockers all thrown together and supported by the trade unions to ensure they weren’t ripped off.

That culture has stayed with me to this day, accepting and learning from people from all walks, religions, culture, which later was called multiculturalism. 

Today however politicians see gain in divide for self preservation. The media take the easy way report the spiel and not question the motive which in time adds up to toxic battle lines being drawn by extreme groups making their own properganda made easy by social media platforms.

Sadly now the media has now been segregated into factions of right and left so where do the people go to get the unbiased balanced truth to make up our own minds? It should be our ABC but politics again is blackmailing that, in the name of “efficiency” by cutting funding to areas that compete with outlets that support the government. 

The slogan “We will tell you what we think you need to know” is dangerous to democracy and has exasabated the racial debate not necessarily by unbiased journalists but slant required to appease owners. 

With Australia Day pending I hope we see a responsible media, that accepts their are differences of opinion, yet rises above ignorance and hate and does it bit to educate as we did as part of our normal days work with the New Australians from Yungabar. 

Memories of the Junction


One door closes another opens. That was the theme as I walked into the Junction Hotel yesterday after about 25 years.The bar girl welcome was exactly as it was in my memory. Like you were there yesterday and nothing was too much trouble even as they were setting up for the day’s trade. 

The Thagoona Offers returned to a place with so many memories however the old pub was gutted yet their was some sense of familiarity with what was left. 

Entry points, photographs, verandas once stairs, and if you looked up you’d see the remains of walls separated bars and lounges where so many good times with most of all good friends ,genuine friends. 

Yes the food was perfect, service great and as we soaked up the atmosphere I slipped into reminiscent mode and recalled how I was hid in the corner of the public bar when young, given double sarsaparilla, then after I started work and played football with the men I was accepted as one and learnt to watch, stay out of trouble, but have a great time as I was 15 years old when drinking age was 21. 

I worked the chook and meat tray raffles for Annerley Football Club as did our entire family, as well as the chocolate wheel before opening time. 

We were a Football Family dedicated to the Club on the old dump, mum in the canteen, Dad secretary, and team manager, and ambulance bearer, and groundsman, and any other job that needed doing. Life was good and simple. No fucken Facebook crap then. They were real friends, the ones you saw or took the time to ring up, if they had a phone or you’d walk to go and see them if they were OK if they went missing for a unusual time. We looked after each other yet we had our privacy that was instilled in us to always respect. We were there if required, the words did not have to be put on Facebook they were known by those who needed to know and THATS ALL.

My grandmother once told me it’s not what’s said that counts it what’s not said or said in confidence counts. That silent pause Fanny had comes to mind. 

We have that culture today in the country with many of our friends. We are lucky, no news is good news , but it’s a work in progress as is life. 

Anyway back to yesterday. It cannot go unmentioned my extended residency at the Junction as my Grandfather allegedly placed me on the public bar near the men’s toilet corner when he had drink with a few with his mates, or a dust up or whatever come first. 

Darkie had a bit of rep when it come disputes. He took the direct route and often Dad had to referee. He was good at that, marching him home singing to Doris and Mum. 

So today to me after that visit is a time to call mum, sister, and just say gday, wander around the paddock and remember the rot that went on when planning and building the stuff with Dad at the Junction or under the house in Fingal street, mum trying to convince us both forget it yet knowing the country blood was passed on. 

Yes it was a good day for the Thagoona Offers yesterday and I think Marg and Gav have their own treasured and varied memories as does Mum and Kerri.

Another milestone in the journey of life.. 

Stone Quarry Cemetary 

Today’s visit to a cemetery was to capture the ones who may have been forgotten as the coal industry is surrounding the site. 

To be honest it’s a peaceful site but as in most Cemetarys time is the enemy. 


ABC 4 Corners leads Aussie Media on Investigative Journalism.

The response to the 4 corners program has shocked many Ipswich residents as it has the rest of Australians.That report is a clear indication of the value of the role investigative journalism plays in our day to day lives. 

Ipswich residents were oblivious to the goings on in their own backyard on this issue as we were on many other issues highlighted by the show over time, so I have to question why do mainly conservative governments consistently cut funds the public broadcaster?

I’m not going down the road of political blame but with news outlets getting skimpier on basic content, staff cuts and amalgamations, true investigative journalism has never been so important to our democracy as well as our day to day living as this example has proven. 

Time for our Politicians to Grow Some Balls in Australia.

Isn’t it time we the punters took control of this Gay Marriage fiasco and directed out politicians to do their job?We have two nutters running around playing one upmanship threatening the world with nuclear war, the gap between rich and poor widening and whatever, while this rot about plebiscite/Snail Mail continues to bore us to tears. 

Facts are the Senate will reject the plebiscite, the non compulsory mail out with the non compulsory obligation of parliament to comply with the results, all costing us millions of dollars. The logic just does not stack up. 

Who are we protecting here, who is scared to say I was either in favour or against Gay Marriage? 

One guess. Politician. This is not a party political issue. Our politicians should make a decision as they are paid to do and if we don’t like it we will vote accordingly to each and everyone’s opinion come polling day. That’s our system, and they are the rules when they choose politics as their career. 

And for those who say it was a election promise, I would remind them of promise of no cuts to the ABC was unequivocal, locked in, yet that was conveniently forgotten.

Dr. Google, a Dangerous Consultant.

How would it go if when you took your car to the mechanics with a problem then proceeded to tell him how to do the job stand by while he did it, what parts to use how long to would take and then just leave the pricing to him?You’d probably complain about the price too and ask for a concession on using your knowledge even though you have never trained, in fact lifted a spanner. 

So imagine how Doctors must feel when they get a patient who thinks they know it all thanks to Dr. Google.

Yes diplomacy skills go into overdrive for the professionals when experiencing the online super graduates rants on their self diagnosed problems and woe is them if they dare to challenge the preconceived outcome or expectation of the patient.

Dangerous ground I feel as then we have to ask is the GP or Specialist actually using his experience and training or are they just conceding and sending them on their way feeling good about their own expertise without any confrontation. 

Knowledge is power and alternately Dangerous in the wrong hands. 

Dr. Google is a dangerous consultant in my book. Most Doctors have a set process of elimination follow by ongoing tests, checks and counter checks leading up to a educated guess, yes guess as they too are only human. Then it comes down to faith in that primary diagnosis and proceeding.

That tradesman mechanic is likely to just tell you to go somewhere else to fix those brakes, or fix them yourself and good luck but the doctor is not quite that abrupt but the result would still be the same come crunch time. 

Legislate to Designate NBN a Essential Service.

Any body who has been landed with the job of selling a car with a free bumper bar must feel sorry for Bill Morrow CEO of the NBN.The Super Cheap version he has been tasked to roll out combined with the telcos all clambering to make a buck does nothing to install faith of any new or existing customer. 

Too many players, and too many agendas all trying to split the profits. 

Is it not time to just stop and remind ourselves we live in a vast country, distance is a critical factor and so is delivery of services like health, banking, business and telephony are in the national interest which may shock some gamers and movie watchers.

History reveals when the government repealed the law which declared communication supply was a essential service the quality of service and delivery crashed from a world top five network into a bun fight to supply that car with a free bumper bar.

Privatisation of the national network is now a proven failure to service quality and cost, the exact things our politicians told us would be cheaper and better, so I feel it time to stop making excuses and give the nation back its network and remember it you build it correctly the first time it will last a life time. That was the proven principal we built into the copper technology. 

Enough Said. 

Ageless Jukebox just keeps on giving. 

We arrived at the venue not knowing who was invited, nothing about the couples family but certain we were blessed to be invited and the friendship shared.As time passed our circle grew with people we knew and interaction grew as the alcohol kicked in but the pods of the inner circle of family remained in their respective spaces passing fleeting conversation over tables and visits to the hot box for finger food. 

As the jukebox churned out the default music the function was in danger of sliding into a frozen state until one of our rowdy lot at our table hit the menu button then volume button and then the atmosphere cleared.

Initially the crusty old farts faces squirmed and the customary whines of turn it down Erupted across the room but was not endorsed by the majority who seemed to be playing the wait and see approach.

With minor adjustments the volume was maintained as we moved into party games with teams mixing the participants as the table boundaries were broken.

That was the catalyst to change gear as intermingling and banter at and about the young hosts history. Personal exploits and habits exposed made great script as the players shared each other’s experiences with the couple socially and professionally.

As that phase was completed the amalgamation of the audiences was cemented with the return of the volume button cranking out the hits of ages, igniting the memories of the young and old on makeshift dance floors between tables and chairs.

The night was alight, people sang, danced, shouted and laughed loudly with total abandon, like we did when young.

Conditions did apply though, strict conditions, conditions that totally banned Facebook applied. 

How ironical and sad is that request when people’s privacy request needs to be made?

Anyway As expected they poured me down the steps, into the car and off to bed waking this morning decidedly slow with new hip and lung capacity ringing protest but what a night to remember. 

My best mate and me dancing like teenagers at 66 and 70 as the Jukebox pounded, the absolute unconditional devotion the engaged couple radiated. All simple and so important 

So thanks Old Jukebox for just being you.. 

Selective Editing keeps Murdock Opinion at Bay. 

As a timely contributor to the Queensland Times Letters to Editor I am finding certain phrases or text is being edited out when going to print. Any reference to News Limited / Murdock Press in any detriment is edited or filled or rejected. 

I’m unaware if any other subscribers letters are subject to the same censorship, but APN now is a News Limited paper same as the Courier Mail in Queensland. 

I will continue to write it how I see it regardless. 
Wayne Offer 

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