Message from a hard working Aussie

I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to earn that pay cheque, as I work on a mine site on a Kalgoorlie (WA) construction project, I am required to pass a random urine test, with which I have no problem.

What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a Centerlink Payment because I have to pass one to earn it for them??

Please understand - I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do on the other hand have a problem with helping someone sit on their backsides drinking grog & smoking dope.

Could you imagine how much money the Government would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a Centerlink Payment ?????

Author Unknown

On Sunday, Mindy's brother and his family arrived in Australia for a four week holiday. We picked them up from the Airport and took them to a Hotel so they could rest after their long trip from The Netherlands.

After staying the night with our good friends Paul & Kathy, we returned to the Hotel to pickup the family and then went to organise an Apollo Camper together. Jonny and Monique had booked a 4 birth camper via the Internet but were upgraded to a 6 birth due to mechanical issues with the other vehicles. Nice bonus!

The Kids wanted lunch at McDonalds.... so we took care of that and then headed south towards Katanning. On the way, we made a detour to the Serpentine Dam. This dam is one of the main water supply dams for the Perth area but is also an interesting and beautiful location to visit.

The Local wildlife (birds) are very friendly and the children really enjoyed being able to see and touch some of the birds..

One of my many interests in life is music. I like to listen to a variety of different music, although, to be honest, I have to admit being a big fan of the kind if music that 'influenced' me as I was growing up. I don't know if this is true for everyone... but sometimes when I hear an 'old song' (by old I am referring to the 80's), I not only remember the words and the tune... I also recall the 'time' and the place.

Sometimes, it is as if I can 'smell it' too. I remember the kinds of things I was doing: Driving to work in my first car. Talking to a friend, or even a 'girlfriend'. I remember laying on my bed, listening to music and trying to imagine what life would be like when I "grew up".

A lot of these memories were brought back recently when my eldest daughter returned from a trip to Melbourne. She brought back a stack of 'old' DVD's (Video that had be "re-mastered" on DVD and a couple of more recent concerts with old music on them. These included 'video recordings' of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, The Police, Sting, Genesis and Phil Collins.

Most of what we are told in school.... about our past... Most of what we 'learn' from books, and the media is supposedly underpinned by 'science'.

But, what if you found out 'they' were not telling you the whole truth? What if there was another side to the story? What if 'they' have got it wrong?

I would (at the very least) like to know there was another side to the story.

Wouldn't you?