hobbsbarb

Blog Comments

• "Pageantry" Published May 3, 2011 10:54am

  In response to "The wedding of the century"

  I have come to the conclusion that the thing that holds our attention is not ...

• "IGA" Published Apr 28, 2011 12:57pm

  In response to "Campaign against Coles/Woolies duoply"

  We have an IGA in our town, doing a great trade, not just the locals who woul...

• "sick leave, what's that?" Published Mar 30, 2011 3:46pm

  In response to "Sick Leave Sickness."

  Oh to have a sick leave entitlement! Not when you are self employed! Then aga...

• "More Humour" Published Mar 30, 2011 3:31pm

  In response to "Aussie Humour"

  We have same situation in our town re doctor - only one! Still one is better ...

• "i like autumn too" Published Mar 29, 2011 8:05pm

  In response to "I Heart Autumn"

  How lucky you are to live in a part of Australia that has leaves that change ...

Forum Posts

• Cyndy – thanks for those reminders. You are right , and its been a while since I marathoned that lot. Might have to do it agains sometime when I'm not so busy.  Tempted to buy Doc Martin, but have so far resisted – just. So trying to catch him as he comes through the networks again. "Strike back"ABC Sat 8.30 – a three part series looks promising – but then with actors from Spooks etc, what do you expect.

  Read more in Movies & Television » TV on DVD

  Written on 2011-03-18 19:14:43 +1100

• Borrowed my son's West wing and watched the lot – over some time!  Certainly have a bit better knowledge of the complexities of US politics. Only thing 'wrong' is that there were very few good Republicans – there must be a few out there somewhere!  (maybe not???) Please don't turn this into a US politics debate! We are talking DVDs

  Read more in Movies & Television » TV on DVD

  Written on 2011-03-12 14:35:59 +1100

• Thank you Simon and pjay. I feel embarrassed that my original comment on what I would have hoped was an inspiring comment on Australian's way of adjusting to change should cause such a reaction. Every culture and every religion have a version of 'love one another' as a part of its way of life. It is not a religious thing – it is way of living. Ourpatch principles follow that simple rule. I will not be scratching this surface again.

  Read more in Living Communities » What is Australian?

  Written on 2011-02-25 13:46:55 +1100

• I think there is a tendency for all of us at times to put people all in the same basket. Some would equate Middle Eastern people as all Isamic, but stats show that, for example 53% of Lebanese people and almost all Armenians are Christians. (Christian clergy are welcome in most detention centres.)

  
  

  
  I am certain that a majority of our immigrants would love to blend in to our community, especially those who have come through traumatic experiences Here is a stat for you:

  
  

  
  n 2009–10 the Humanitarian Program has increased to 13 750 places, which comprises two main categories:

  
  

  
  
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    A total of 6000 places have been allocated to the Refugee category, which is for people who are subject to persecution in their home country and who are in need of resettlement.
  
  
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    A total of 7750 places have been allocated to the Special Humanitarian Program (SHP) category, for people outside their home country who are subject to substantial discrimination amounting to gross violation of human rights in their home country.

  For 2009–10 the government will continue to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in focusing on people from Africa, Asia and the Middle East and South West Asia. The target for Woman at Risk visa grants will also increase to 12 per cent of the Refugee category allocation.

  
  

  
  In 2008–09, a total of 13 507 visas were granted under the Humanitarian Program. 6499 visas were granted to people in the Refugee category, including 788 Woman at Risk visas. In addition, 4511 Special Humanitarian Program visas were granted to people offshore. A total of 2497 visas were granted to people onshore, including 2378 initial Protection visa grants……"

  
  

  
  But was is 'blending in '? I still know some old Italian women who speak very little English, yet we accuse others of not blending if they prefer to socialise with others who speak their native tongue and celebrate their same special days (Isn't it St Patrick's day soon?) 

  
  

  
  The 2006 census stated that over 60% of Australians still call themselves Christian, and over 30% are "none' or did not respond. Islam is 1.7%. Buddhist 2.3% and Judahism 0.4% . Perhaps we hear from the Islamic members of our community because they have so much difficulty finding places to worship – especailly as they came to this country believing that it was a place where there was 'freedon of expression' and 'freedom of religion'…..  Just a thought!

  Read more in Living Communities » What is Australian?

  Written on 2011-02-24 20:41:14 +1100

• I went to a conference in Perth last weekend put on by the Uniting Church. Our main speaker was Emeritus Professor Gary Bouma who has written a book called 'Australian Soul: 21st Century Challenges to Faith'. He is on various multicultural committees – among many other things. His comment re defining what it is to be Australian is worth repeating. He said we tend to want to freeze our Australian-ness into a certain time zone: Anzacs, times of extensive shows of mateship etc. But Australia is an ever changing society. From the beginning people have been coming and having to mix with others. What makes us Australian is that we adapt to that diversity and change. It is this adaption to the fluidity of change that is what makes us Australian.  It is a nice thought – and as we look through many aspects of our history, we do adapt – eventually – perhaps not as fast as many of us would like. Perhps 'mateship'can be part of that!?

  
  

  
  When we talk of multiculturism we need to realise we have to work at it for it to happen – yes – all of us have to work at it – those who have ben here for ages and new comers alike – even if it takes the second generation to make it happen.  We don't need not say it is a failure in Australia unlike in Germany where Turkish migrants – a couple of generations in still don't have the vote! – No wonder they say multiculturism has failed in their country.

  
  

  
  Perhps if we looked at being Australian in this new way we may all be more accepting on our neighbours. .

  Read more in Living Communities » What is Australian?

  Written on 2011-02-22 16:57:01 +1100

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