Today we take for granted the cultural mix that is
Australia's population, but what of the people
who created this diversity?
What is it like to have come from somewhere else
and settled in Australia? And what does being an
Australian really mean?

We're told that everyone has a story to tell - and
I thought it would be interesting to hear some of
them. The stories of the ups and downs of adapting
to life in Australia, and to provide a window on
the experience of leaving one home in order to create
another.

I'd like to hear from everyone - no matter what
their heritage and background.
It would be interesting to compare notes.
And to learn from each other.

What a great idea! My family apparently goes right back to the first fleet (in chains properly!). I was born in the Mallee but moved around a bit as dad was a chippie always on the move. We finally settled in a medium sized town in the west of Victoria where Mum and Dad had a building business that went belly up around the same time GST was introduced. Dad started working in the health system as a head of maintenance and engineering and has been there ever since. Growing up in a rural town was great and surprisingly culturally diverse. Everyone knows everyone and all are judged by their character not their looks or creed. If it where not for people coming to Australia from foreign shores we wouldn't have a lot of the health services, food or friendship we enjoy and are forever grateful. I think the "Aussie Spirt" is still alive and well in rural Aus where anyone who is willing to give it a go is more then welcome. Been Australian to me is putting in some effort, overcoming what seem to be impossible odds, leading a hand to those who need it and been able to laugh at ourselves. Like most Aussies I am "mongrel bred" with a splash of English, Irish, Scottish, German and goodness knows what else in the mix. To me looks and race can go jump, if your friendly, kind, cheerful and a little mad I will happily call you mate. And if we disagree? Well isn't that what Aus is about? We can "discuss" something til the cows come home, and be friends again tomorrow.

Dear Bec,

What a wonderful post. Thank You so much.
You've certainly captured exactly what I feel
about Australia. My parents were forced to leave
Lithuania after World War II. They lived in
displaced persons camps in Germany for several years
before emigrating to Australia in 1949. After several
years in holding camps my father managed to buy a small
house near Parramatta - which is where I grew up.
I was born in country NSW. My family is a bit of a
mix as well. Lithuanian, Russian, German, English,
and Scottish - with a recent addition from China.
And my parents did the hard yards for all of us and
instilled in us the right model to aspire to.
Work hard, study hard, and the possibilities are endless.
I can't imagine living anywhere else in the world.

My in-laws are stud-farmers in country NSW (my son has
a prize-winning bull named after him). Being Australian
to me means believing in fairness, tolerance, and respect.
My parents taught me the importance of service, mateship,
and sacrifice. Which I've hopefully passed onto my
children, and they'll do that to theirs.

I love the diversity of this country, its one of the most
unique and rewarding aspects of living here. I love the
openess, the honesty with which we can say what we think.
And I think we're lucky not only to have a home here, but
also to hve found our own sense of belonging.

Beening a Australian for me and my family is very very good as far as the country is so. But a lot of Aussie people are racist and treat anybody they don't like badly. Just look at all the poor boat people with no other place to go they pick here and end up with lots of bigots and racists. There are many racists on this forum even. Far tony people from the Liberal Party also. I reckon all politics should be banned and until they do that I'm not speaking any more about it on this forum. Even today all the discussions is about politics only, nothing else except this one. This is boring all the time. So no more for me until they Ban all politics from this forum only!

Lexi
Does it mean having you kids jobs stolen by imports that you weren't even asked if you wanted them here.
Does it mean being bashed and raped by people from a continent where that is the order of the day.
Does it mean having your religious beliefs trashed by people who believe that infidels should be killed on sight.
Does it mean seeing certain cultures running small businesses without any belief in the Australian Taxation system.
I fought wars in all of these countries as an Australian UN peacekeeper
and I saw what these people are capable of.
Now I see them here in Australia in the streets of a night and we are unarmed.
Get real Lexi the world is not a patch of roses but Australia is a rosy patch ripe for the taking.

Dear misanthrope,

Thank You for coming into this discussion and I
am sorry to hear that you're not going to have
your say any longer because you're sick of
politics. Many of us are tired of politics - but
it is an election year, so inevitably this subject
is going to be popular. But you can always start a
new discussion yourself on any topic of your choice.
You may be surprised to find how many other people
agree with your take on things. Give it a go.

That's another thing that's great about this country.
You've got so many choices open to you. You don't have
to be locked in to any particular stereotype and you've
got the freedom to make your own way in your own time.
We all have our biases - however
I've spent most of my entire adult life here and I've
never had a problem with being accepted. My parents
came from another country, they explored things with
new eyes, and automatically they saw things differently,
but at the same time that's how we add something. We
learn from each other.

Anyway, I hope to see you posting in the future.
It would be good to read what you have to say
because I feel thay you've got a lot to contribute.

Dear Chris,

This discussion is about what being an Australian
means to you. I'd like to hear from you on that
subject.

We came here from Elbasan, and politics was not good at home. No choices or disagreements, no choice to pick anyone you like because government was what it was, nothing else. First English word we speak was corruption. Here also in Aussie, but also racism to. I no longer wish to hear or speak about politics on this Forum because like all politicians world all over including in Oz they promise everything but give nothing at all ? You are a friendly person it would seem by the words you say so thank you for being as friendly face on this Forum.

Dear Misanthrope,

So you're from Albania. I understand how difficult
it must be to adapt to a new country. My parents
fled Lithuania, which later was also occupied by
the Soviet Union. They faced adjustment difficulties
in this country and suffered from a sense of guilt at
having left their people to continue the struggle
against a repressive regime. However they found a
greater physical freedom in Australia, in that their
lives were no longer in danger, but the struggle they
commenced with their conscience allowed them no
spiritual freedom for a long time.

Of course with time they became more confident -in
their new society and they started families, bought
homes, established and made a place for themselves.
This will happen to you too. I'm sure when one day
you return to Albania for the first time, you will be
reminded of the reason you left. The first trip back is
a common turning point, after which many people become
more content, and determined to establish their lives in
Australia.

Thank You for sharing and I wish you every happiness
in this country. May you find your sense of belonging
here, as my family has done.

dear lexie..what does australian..mean..to me
austr-ALIEN*..but thats..cause i tend to self immolation via alienation

my parental s..left the rebuilt..
europe..when.the workers were no longer needed..

its funny..how mother was taught cooking/home keeping/bookkeeping typing and english..etc..my father taught to fit/turn/weld..but in his heart wanted to be in sales.

after my mothers/mother's died..the thinking was send her..off to set up home..she had family..in oz..was invited to work on the farm..and in due time hit our shores..got put on a train..and dumped in the middle of nowhere..to eventually walk into a darkened farm..with an oh its you..they moved in..

what does australia mean to me..a prison
an alien place..where i mostly know immediate family
no aunties/uncles grandparents..nieces nephews..etc..a stranger ina strange land

the great southlands
the newe holland..[new netherlands.].in the nether regions..
the never/never..ever ..or as the dutch..named it..VAN DIE Mense land..[of the peoples land]..[mense also..can be taken as MENSE[god]

thus..land of the god's people..
as a stretch..as named by my people

stretched more..my true people
stand..one foot on the water/one foot..on the land..
we built ourselves..as interposed against my living on others lands..

gods-peoples-lands..
yet named/renamed..terror/nullious..australia..etc

and..land rights..the land..*does have rights
when it emerged..from the waters of the deep

naw*.mate
im a stranger among strangers
cast out of..our own home lands and culture
the place of my own ab-origon-ality..the place where im the indigenous

where i am..in my correct skin group..land
where i save my own culture..not alone others dream times
yet if i return..ancestral 'home'..there i would feel even more outcast.

the sins..of the father..why visit them..upon the kids?

australia is a colon-y..
under the armed forces;;of a foreign colonizing power
[police/army/navy air..etc.]all*..swear loyalty..to hrh..heirs suck-ceasers..

not australia
not the constitution..

not even..to serve the land..and its people..but a figure head/hairs/sukkers..

sorry..feeling a bit blue
assassins in our suburbs..oh dear[tv]
'
lets go shooty..some blacks..or poison their flour..
or give them small-pox riddled blankets..dry out their water holes..infect their little ginny..with tb/vd and tv..

worse..it was done first
in europa..serbs poles jews etc..endlessly

i say
send the kids back home..to discover who they should/could/would have been..

Dearest Lexi,

You have such a good heart, I wish there were more Australians like you.

It's no coincidence that your forebears came from all over. I think that's the Australian experience, and over the past generation the process of mixing and hybridisation and change seems to have accelerated, and all for the good.

Over the past year and a half, I've been using public transport far more than I ever have done for fifty years. In SA, it's free for old-f@rts like me, 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. But everybody should try it - you see a very different Australia from what you experience going from A to B in cars. I have to say I really enjoy it, you see so many people from god knows where. I'm envious of our grand-children and great-grand-children - what a variety of partners they will be choosing from, and what beautiful children they will be having.

One thing that has struck me is that, inevitably, unavoidably, all those new migrants are living in a multi-cultural world: one in which they are not a majority, in which every day - and for life - they have to negotiate and interact with people from other backgrounds, at school, on the streets, in the work-place and in their social lives. Anglos such as myself can stay, to an extent, cocooned in an Anglo world, driving from A to B, but out there a different Australia is evolving.

Hallelujah !

Thanks, Lexi, you're a treasure.

Love,

Joe
www.firstsources.info

Dear OUG,

Thank You for being so open and honest and sharing
your experience with us on this forum. You write
so uniquely - and always manage to impart quite a bit of
wisdom.

From my experience - I've found that our neighbours
have become life-long friends - and I love the wide-open
spaces that are so much a part of this land. Now living
in Melbourne, we have such a great choice of beaches,
rainforests, and countrysides, where you can get
away from it all. The beauty, especially in the
Dandenong Ranges is breathtaking.

I know that my father
who ended up working double-shifts in the Good-Year
tyre factory (to pay off the house and our education) and
died of a massive coronary at the age of 52 - he always spoke
of Australia with love and gratitude. Often also - many children
of migrants, who had previously denied their cultural
heritage, as they grew older find an increasing interest in
precisely those things they had rejected. The interest of
people in studying their family trees and the overall
popularity of genealogy in libraries - is growing rapidly.

I know that for some people it really is difficult to relate
to new surroundings - and for many it is a culture shock.
However although most migrants lived in hostels or
"reception centres," moving into their first homes was an
important psychological step in the building of a new life.

Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

Thank You for coming into this discussion and for your
lovely words. You're a caring and compassionate man,
and you always manage to put a smile on my face.
I know what you mean about travelling by public transport.
I grew up in the Western suburbs of Sydney and used to
catch a bus into Parramatta, then a train into the city,
then another bus to either uni, or work. And the experiences
on public transport, especially during peak hours is
something I can still remember and I've told my children
many stories about those times. They were "golden days"
- that I remember with love.

lexe/quote..<<..massive coronary at the age of 52>>

yeah my dad too..
never lived long enough to retire
[we*..one in 5 that die..before collecting super..is why the system..works]..living long enough..to borrow back*..our super..via credit cards..and insane usury rates..in lue of a working wage

<<many children..as they grew older find an increasing interest in precisely those things they had rejected.>>..

especially in those secret things
our parents rejected[or simply didnt talk about]
a fertile thread that would be..the unspeakable topic

<<<..people in studying their family trees and the overall
popularity of genealogy in libraries - is growing rapidly.>>

mainly cause the intel-adgencies
want US..to join their info dots..info is power
same same facebook..music libraries..sites etc..all Intel..[and why i was reluctant to write anything..plus it feels like gossip for me.]

<<difficult to relate
to new surroundings>>..not for me..place = nature
the relating is personal..men seem to be competing to be alpha male..[even if rejecting the obvious method/means]..and women who knows

i missed
the socialization..thing ..peers do

<<moving into their first homes was an
important psychological step>>..but not near as important as learning to relate..with other..and i hate sports..gossip..drinking drunks movie stars faulse godheads

..but i bring the thread down.

bless your open heart lex
cheers dear

Dear OUG,

You've got the knack of putting your own
take on things and doing it so well. It's
a gift. You remind me of the following
poem that I remember reading years ago -
by Digby Wolfe. I liked it so much that I
made a copy of it and will now share it with
you:

"Here's to the kids who are different:
the kids who don't always get A's,
the kids who have ears twice the size of their
peers', or noses that go
on for days.
Here's to the kids who are different, the
kids who are just
out of step,
the kids they all
tease, who have
cuts on their knees
and whose sneakers
are constantly wet.
Here's to the kids who
are different, the kids
with a mischievous
streak,
for when they have grown,
as history has shown,
it's their difference that makes
them unique."

Take care, unique man.

U 2 lexe
your one great sheila
but even would..be a great bloke..

you live in the real world..which is
as i see...as the joke..real-world..what does that mean

god didnt make australia..
nor the never-lands..[nor nederland][nor holland]..
nor any other state or country..by name..but by nature*
i see my nature reflected clearly..from my dutch family..[in which include every dutchie i have ever met]..

the fruit falls
not far from its parental tree..generally speaking]..

but i feel..by virtue..of being effectively outcast from our ancestoral home..strangers to our own..if you will..cerates the opening for lesser bonds..

[like espri-de'gore]..nationalism
or the old blue school-tie..or mate/shift..or comrade in arms..the anzac spirit..

or even dire-versions
divisions..of age sex race belief
or non even non ..absent or wrong belief..

[or so..i feel to believe...
at the time of writing]

anyhow me mate..at heart
gotta zip me zipper..on my ever more wordy art

sorry to keep going
but this might relate

http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/what-does-it-mean-to-be-an-outsider-in-a-capitalist-society/60344/

<<..This trajectory isn’t entirely surprising.>>

<<In the last two generations, centrist culture in the United States has taken on and been enriched by novel, countercultural ideas, movements, and products, including civil rights, workplace safety laws, community antismoking campaigns, “green” architecture and cars, and the widening acceptance of gays (even in the military).>>

ie generic identifiers/team spirit
we may link into..inlue..insures a weak replacement
for that we left behind..that which shapeth the 'man'..peers

<<>>And the digital has altered what’s inside
the categories “outsider,” “indie culture,” and “niche market”:

..the Web has increased visibility at the margins because every rebel or amateur can publish or post his or her opinion.

There is also a chance of anyone’s output going viral.
That in itself changes what is considered outsider or marginal and how “fringe culture” operates:..alternative or subcultures no longer assume their messages are for the few or the like-minded.

The idea of a mainstream is, at the very least, a useful cliché. Yet it becomes less of a cliché when we recognize that all cultures—the establishment culture included—are dynamic.>>..

or something like that
the dynamics can threaten..those who only have their groupies..their club..their cliche*

Dear OUG,

I'm a firm believer that our present is linked
with our past. I shared my thoughts on this
topic previously:

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=5648

(back in Feb. 2013).

I quoted from the Lithuanian poet, Al Zolynas:

"I come from a tribe of nature worshippers,
pantheists, believers in faeries, forest sprites,
and wood nymphs, who heard devils in their windmills,
met them in the woods, cloven-hooved and dapper
gentlemen of the night, who named the god of thunder,
who praised and glorified bread, dark rye waving
waist-high out of the earth, and held it sacred,
wasting not a crumb, who spent afternoons
mushrooming in forests of pine, fir, and birch, who
transformed Jesus from his wooden cross, transformed him
into a wood-carved, worrying peasant, raised him on a
wooden pole above the crossroads where he sat with
infinite patience in rain and snow, wooden legs apart,
wooden elbows on wooden knees, wooden chin in wooden
hand, worrying and sorrowing for the world ..."

"These people who named their sons and daughters after
amber, rue, fir tree, dawn, storm, are the only people
I know who have a diminuitive form for God Himself -
Dievulis, "God-my-little-buddy."

"Any wonder I catch myself speaking to trees, flowers, bushes -
these eucalyptus so far from Northers Europe - or that I
bend down to the earth, gather pebbles, acorns, leaves,
boles, bring them home, enshrine them on mantelpieces or
above porcelain fixtures in corners, any wonder I grow
nervous in rooms and must step outside and touch a tree,
or sink my toes in the dirt, or watch the birds fly by."

I have a strong kinship with the author.
As I stated earlier - we're from the same ancestry.
It has made me the person I am today.
For that I am grateful.

Thank you to Lexi for the kind words but still no more politics because it causes unhappy people because of corruption and argument and abuse and racism and other bad things. My word is Oz is nice and great country to me and all my family and you are a nice person to.

Thank you, Lexi, OUG is spot-on ;)

Yeah, I remember, when I was a kid and our mum was trying to keep one step ahead of our dad, we must have gone to a dozen schools, and all on our own, by public transport. When I was seven and my brother was five, we would catch the bus from Chullora to Strathfield railway station, get the train to Homebush, and get the bus from there to Homebush Infant School. And back again. Well, for a few weeks, until we had to move school again. To Gymea Bay. Then Chester Hill. Then Penrith.

And in those days, every single person we saw would have been European, usually Anglo. It's a different, and in many ways a better, world now. I don't live in that area now, so I really wouldn't know for sure. But every social change carries problems with it, and social differentiation may be far greater now than then.

But this is now, that was then. Different dynamics, different world, different issues.

Love and best wishes,

Joe

Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

I remember Summer Sundays, starting out early with
the entire family by public transport to Circular Quay
and catching the Manly ferry and heading for the beach.
Spending all day at Manly and coming home late afternoon
burnt to a crisp - but every so proud sporting a different
colour on Monday morning to show off with. That was the life.
Spring-rolls for lunch was another highlight at Manly as
was the ferry-ride there and back.

Strathfield station I used to know like the palm of my hand.
I'd change trains there for Ashfield. My second job was at
Ashfield. I'd like to go back for a visit sometime in the
future and see how Parramatta and the entire surrounding area
has changed. People tell me I won't recognise it. But I'd
like to see for myself.

Again, Thanks Joe, for being a part of this discussion.

Take care.

Lexi
You forgot the Fun Pier and Aquarium at Manly wharf and Luna Park on the ocean beach side. My uncle was an Olympic swimmer and Captain of the North Steyne SLSC (same name as the ferry that took you there)and my grandmother was fiery red headed green eyed taskmaster who amassed a fortune letting pokey rooms in Redfern to drunks and derelicts for 10 shillings a week cash and build a mansion overlooking to ocean up on the hill where us kids could only go to be taught by her private tutors while the adults pissed up on the lawns.

Dear Chris,

Welcome back.

And, Thanks for sharing.

How could I have forgotten the Fun Pier, the Aquarium, and
Luna Park - Manly wharf holds so many happy memories for
me. Did you know that I'm green-eyed (although they do
change colour with my moods) and a red-head as well?
You must have had one heck of a childhood and your family
certainly sounds interesting. Manly ferries were such a joy.
I loved the trips there abd back - sun-tanned, windblown,
the incredible sights of the ocean, blue-skies - sheer
magic for a little kid. The beautiful harbourside homes
seemed like a different world - a great escape - if only
from a distance, but one could dream. And where would life
be without our dreams?

Once again, Thank You for contributing to this
discussion.

Lexi,
A little secret. When I was twelve my younger brother and I stole a Manly Ferry from the Blues Point Jetty. I was in the steering house and he was in the engine room (steam). He turned some wheel and the thing took off breaking the huge mooring ropes. Together we manager to turn the thing to head up the harbor towards the heads under the bridge.
The water police caught up with us, boarded and took control and we got the hiding of our lives. I lived above Luna Park and my bedroom window looked out over the Big Dipper. My girlfriends father was the caretaker of Luna Park so I always had rolls of ride tickets.
I used to train in the Olympic Pool (32 laps, a mile) every morning and afternoon usually with Jon and Ilsa Conrads, Judy Joy Davies and Dawn Frazer. I swam in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics but got knocked out in the heats. No drugs then.

Chris,

i was in love with Ilse Conrads, like most of the boys in my school, I'm sure. God, she was gorgeous. How's she doing ?

Joe

Ah yes Lexi I too knew Strathfield, but it was the sound of my Morgan +4s exhaust echoing off the walls of the railway bridge as I drove under it, not the station, that I knew.

I was there often, when I lived to the south, & kept my Brabham F2 in a workshop to the north. I rarely got away with less than 4 nights a week working on it.

We lived in Ryde for a little while not long after the end of the war. We made the trek to Harbord beach with friends in a 1930 Dodge, a great big square butter box of a thing, a few times. I doubt it could get over 30 MPH, & was none too sure around corners, so it took what seemed like hours. About half the trip was through open countryside. Hard to believe today.

What great times, with a rented blow up rubber surfer plane, what more could a kid want?

I preferred that Australia, where a boss or a factory worker could buy a home, & raise a family on one wage. When income tax was 7.25%, & you paid 3.5% interest on your house loan.

Now we are keeping so many bludgers, welfare & bureaucrat, that taxes are ridiculous, & even two wages are often not enough. I am not all that impressed with what we have done with our Australia.

Loudmouth,
Dead, both dead. She went first with cancer and he a year later from obesity and diabetes.
I actually beat her once, never the brother. Murry Rose was her lover then and we were all jealous as all hell.

I'm so sorry to hear that, about both of the Conrads. They were so beautiful to watch swimming. Vale.

Joe

Dear Chris,

Wow, what a great life.
Being part of history, taking part in the Olympics,
and knowing those sporting icons. Ever thought of writing
a book?

I remember that Jon and Ilsa Conrads, Murray Rose, Dawn
Fraser were all heroes to my parents. Dad was a sporting
fanatic - loved the swimmers - and Jon and Ilsa were so
personal to him ( being of Latvian backgrounds).
He looked upon them as relatives.

Dear Hasbeen,

Your cars sound wonderful.
You must have had lots of girlfriends? ;-)
Yes, I guess those were the days of easier home ownership.
However both my parents had to work. We were "latchkey
kids," and I was the "mum." I had to look after my
younger brothers, the house, and at times practically
the entire neighbourhood. I learned to cook very early,
and my brother's mates used to come over for a feed
on a regular basis.

Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

You've always had good taste in women by the sound of
it. My dad would agree with you regarding Ilsa.
Actually he was a great admirer of both Ilsa and her
brother. I'm sorry to learn that they've both passed on.
I wonder if they ever married or had children?

That girlfriend thing is a myth Lexi, part of the one about the rich racing car driver, or yachtsman.

The girls soon wake up that the man might have been rich, if he hadn't spent it all on the car/boat etc.

What they learn very quickly is that he has spent all his money, & spends too much time working on the thing, to be any use as a boyfriend. Like a lot of other things, it may look exotic from a distance, but the romance disappears very quickly when you get up close.

Dear Hasbeen,

There's nothing more attractive than a self-made man.
A man who works with his hands doing what he loves.
And to me it sounded like you're precisely that sort
of guy. As for riches? Riches come in finding somone
who satisfies your emotional apetite. Someone who's
sensitive and strong and tender. Tenderness is the
rarest of qualities. I think that you're under-estimating
yourself and your female friends of which I'm sure there
must have been many.

Morning Lexi,

A while since I posted here.
I was raised in an orphanage, left when I was 15 and crossed the country to where I did not know anyone but still found Oz a great place to grow up in.
It has been good to me over the years and I hope I have put some back.
I have seen a bit of the world in my work and despite our crazy politicians it is still a tremendous place to live.
Take it easy.

SD

Dear SD,

So glad to see you posting again and
Thank You for taking the time to come into
this discussion. I can't even begin to imagine
how hard it must have been for you growing up in
an orphanage. You sound so positive - which shows
your strength of character. And it sounds as if all's
well that ends well. We are lucky to be living in a
country that still gives us opportunities and choices.
And even luckier to have people like you in it. ;-)

All The Best.
Take care.

Lexi,

Life is what you make of it.
It is not served up equally for sure but you have no choice but to do the best you can with your serve.
Australia is one of the best countries to do this without a doubt.
As regard an orphanage upbringing.
In my opinion a group of children under duress is possibly one of the most moral, ethical and caring groups you could ever encounter.
It was a privileged childhood being surrounded by such an honest and straight up group of boys.
Children pick up all the bad traits from adults.

SD

Loudmouth, "..i was in love with Ilse Conrads"

I know it is just a slip but make that a 'k' as in Konrads.

chrisgaff1000 mentioned Murray Rose, who would also be one of our greatest sportspeople. Like many from back when, he was a gentleman as well.

It is rather poor in my view that the donkeys in the media are forever promoting cricketer Sir Donald Bradman. Sure he was a great cricketer. This is not to criticise him. However there are many other worthwhile sportspeople who excelled and were model citizens for youth to follow. Maybe the sports jocks of the media promote cricket because there is money in it through advertising and sponsorships. That is also why little is heard of the victorious women's cricket team ATM.

Personally I'd say that Heather McKay is one of Australia's greatest sportspeople. Yet you never hear of the woman squash champion who was unbeaten for years, winning sixteen consecutive British Open titles and the first World's Women's Open (1979).

onthebeach,
spent a couple of years living in a state home at Mittagong as a child after the Irish Catholic/Union purges in Sydney stole thousands of catholic kids from their parents and tried to turn them into Protestants.
Don Bradman used to come to the home on weekends and teach us to play cricket. He always reminded me of a "closet" headmaster.
Sorry the English "C" is the Baltic "K"

chrisgaff1000,

Thank you for your comment on Don Bradman. He is one of the greats. My criticism is of the media hacks who are too lazy to find more examples to share the load.

There are many men and women who provide a sterling service to the community and to children.

It is a pity that blood sells and the media scour the world to find examples to serve up to the hysterics and risk copy cats.

Instead of providing balanced reporting, which to my way of thinking is informing people of what is going on around them, which is overwhelmingly good. The media is cheap and nasty Much of the claimed 'independent' stuff on the Net is even worse, absolute trash.

Dear OTB,

Thank You for coming into this discussion and for
correcting the spelling of Konrads. Fancy my missing
that? If you feel so inclined - I'd love to learn more
of your background? It sound like you've got an interesting
story to tell.
Now at least I know that you love cricket. My dad did
as well.

Dear SD,

Life is indeed what you make of it.
I was taught that even though we're all thrown curve-balls
its how we react that matters. And to treat obstacles as
stepping-stones has worked well for me - thus far.
Fingers-crossed that it will continue to do so. I was
diatgnosed with cancer a few years back. However after my
operation - its now been well over the time limit set
and so far so good.

Dear Chris,

You should write a book on your life.
I would buy a copy - definitely!

onthebeach,
The media in nothing more than an extension of the entertainment industry there to serve the masses with what they crave and profit in the meantime.
Online news has am element of reality and fact that leaves the print media far far behind.

It looks like this discussion has now run its course
so I'd like to once again Thank everyone who was
kind enough to share their experiences with us.
I've enjoyed this discussion and look forward to
many others with you on this forum.

Take care and
All The Best -

anyhow..noted this from your ancestral poem

<<..who praised and glorified bread, dark rye>>

rye bread..i think
is the base upon which..lsd is cultured

dark rye..<<waving
waist-high out of the earth, and held it sacred,>>

many authers of old..used stimulant;s to inspire
many a culture..holds the means..to induce out of body experiences sacred

<<..wasting not a crumb,
who spent afternoons
mushrooming>>[other dimension opening substances come to mind]

i only mention it..n0w the topic is closed
[plausible deny ability]

anyhow..all that natural inspiration..did bear valid fruits

..<<<..in forests of pine, fir, and birch, who
transformed Jesus from his wooden cross, transformed him
into a wood-carved, worrying peasant,

raised him on a
wooden pole above the crossroads where he sat with
infinite patience in rain and snow, wooden legs apart,
wooden elbows on wooden knees, wooden chin in wooden
hand,

worrying and sorrowing
for the world ...">>..

anyhow i go to..consider..your now closed topic
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=5648&page=0

<<..You can see it
without a psychotic condition..*(Try that with those other gods).>>

altered reality?

<<..How it looks..[envisions]..
is only limited by your imagination.>>

or how many mush-rooms....dwell in our minds
[i have never..tripped'..but note the stuff we repress..
often comes out with simulations and stimulants..of many sorts]

<<..Everyone can have one.>>

anyhow..i go..to
CONSIDER lexies..LITTLE WOODEN GOD
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=5648&page=0

i expect i may have further opinion..re prev topic
but feel..this one is far from over*

Dear OUG,

In spite of a history of foreign domination, Lithuania
possesses many customs and traditions that merit
fostering and preservation as part of the ethnic mosaic
in our free world.

Lithuania, situated on the shores of the Baltic Sea,
was noted for its luscious forests, beautiful orchards,
plentiful lakes and fertile soil. Grain crops, potatoes,
and dairy products were the main produce. It isn't
surprising that these food figure prominently in
Lithuanian cooking. Lithuanian cheese, "suris", was widely
used in many dishes. Fruits, always plentiful in summer,
were enjoyed in all kinds of jams, preserves and cakes all
year round. Many potato dishes like "cepelinai", "kugelis,"
cabbage, both sweet and sour, were the staple vegetables.
Root vegetables were not to be overlooked and of-course
the beloved wild mushrooms, particularly "baravykai"
were used with everything.

Lithuanians were great lovers of bread. Sour dough rye breads,
and breads with caraway or poppy seeds are still very popular.

Pork, domestic and wild fowl, were the main meats. "Koseliena"
(jellied pork) was loved anytime. Yogurt and sour cream were
used extensively and even today, Lithuanians are generous
with their use.

Sweets were mostly enjoyed on occasions like holidays, weddings,
name's days, and all other special events. They were often
rich and extravagant, both in ingredients and appearance.
Cakes in particular were very showy. One such cake is the
"raguolis" which often decorates wedding tables. Other cakes
were made in the form of animals "ezuikas" or native plants
"grybai".

Through the interaction of various cultures in Lithuania's
cosmopolitan cities, today Lithuanians cook a great number of
varying dishes. The traditional foods themselves vary with
each district in Lithuania and have been further adapted
to meet modern cookery, while retaining their original
characteristics.

BTW: The wooden god - is part of Lithuanian folk-art -
and can be found along many roads - in rural Lithuania.
He's part of the much loved country scenery.

i was wondering..
what the little wo*oden gods name was..[oden..came to mind]

but..instead found this

<<..A dievdirbys ("god carver", plural: dievdirbiai) is a Lithuanian wood carver who creates statues of Jesus and the Christian saints.[1] The art is closely related to kryždirbyst&#279; (cross-carving), listed among Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The statues are carved according to artistic conventions developed over the centuries following Lithuania's adoption of Christianity. They are displayed along roadsides, in cemeteries, and in chapels or churches.

The most popular figures are of Saint Roch, the Pietà, John of Nepomuk, Saint Casimir, the Nativity, Pensive Christ (known as r&#363;pintoj&#279;lis), Saint Florian, Saint George, Saint Anthony, Saint Agatha, and Saint Isidore.

Using basic tools, the sculptures were carved out of linden wood, or occasionally oak, and sometimes painted. Along with three-dimensional sculptures, relief and bas-relief were also cultivated.

The works decorate the altars of rural churches, of portable church altars, processional banners, aediculas, dwellings, and barns. The Stations of the Cross often feature these works as well.>>

there are 4 pictures..very pretty

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dievdirbys

the search also turned up
Lithuanian..* tongue twisters
http://www.google.com.au/url?q=http://www.uebersetzung.at/twister/lt.htm&sa=U&ei=AO8WUqfWJbCaiAfS6oHYBw&ved=0CCEQFjAC&sig2=F9QO6TK-PgCbI02KwNWqSw&usg=AFQjCNGLeBXUOnt7lbqU7tJyB-1ivTPBng

Lithuanian boys names
http://www.google.com.au/url?q=http://www.babynamespedia.com/search/m/lithuanian&sa=U&ei=LvAWUo_4H6XxiAfDy4GwCA&ved=0CCsQFjAE&sig2=WeYV87pKXdhyck5QQONAOg&usg=AFQjCNFsnEaGWwUQOTqH4WxzAVwmxcoiQw

Lithuanian mythology
http://www.google.com.au/url?q=http://www.crvp.org/book/Series04/IVA-17/chapter_iv.htm&sa=U&ei=LvAWUo_4H6XxiAfDy4GwCA&ved=0CDMQFjAG&sig2=9Qwp3155IGv1y_ueNxSxHQ&usg=AFQjCNGYtbs9qNW4-TpkcvN5e0hBcEVzgQ

indeed
a fertile field
[unlike..the wood god thread]..

never the less producer?..[who began that thread..sounds interesting]..made a good comment..at the 'how?'../THREAD..OF HOW MONEY WORKS..

anyhow
cheers..from
johan

sorry
re caps/..thick fingers

Dear OUG,

Thank You for contributing so much on Lithuania.
For taking the time to do the research, and for caring.

We have a little wooden God (carved in Lithuania) that
a relative brought back as a gift hanging on a wall
just inside the front entrance of our home.
We also have a tall wooden chapel-post, with figurines that a
Lithuanian artist created for us (the kind that you see
in Lithuania by roadsides where people stop and pray).
It's very artistic and stands in the
corner of my study. My son wants to inherit it. It is
very lovely and all hand-carved. We treasure it.

Again, Thank You.
You have a good heart Johan.

Is that all you've got to say?

How about adding something to this discussion -
otherwise go peddle your wares elsewhere - you're
in the wrong place.

being australian..to me
allows me to dare to ask..important questions

ok..two questions.

1...Why would Syria's Assad..*invite United Nations chemical weapons inspectors to Syria,..*then launch a chemical weapons attack against women and children..*on the very day they arrive,..*just miles from where they are staying?

2...If Assad..were going to use chemical weapons,..*wouldn't he use them against the hired mercenary army..trying to oust him?

What does he gain..attacking women and children?
Nothing!

The gain..is all on the side of the US Government/israel
..desperate to get the war agenda..going again.

http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/syriabovine.php
http://benswann.com/u-s-trained-fighters-now-crossing-from-jordan-into-syria/
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-08-23/pentagon-preparing-cruise-missile-launch-against-syria
http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/US-military-reportedly-updates-list-of-potential-targets-in-Syria-as-pressure-mounts-on-Obama-324086

As I type these words,..US trained..and equipped forces..are already across the border into Syria,..*and US naval forces are sailing into position..to launch a massive cruise missile attack into Syria..that will surely kill more Syrians..than were claimed to have died in the chemical attack.
http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/hagel-says-us-ready-for-war-on-syria/62305/

Obviously,..we cannot stop this madness.

The US Government..is listening to Wall Street
and Israel..and cares not what the American people think.

But what We The People can do, must do,
is send a message.,.to the world that we do not believe the war-starting lies..by the US Government.

We know this is a repeat..of the same lies
we were told..about Saddam's nuclear weapons
http://12160.info/video/busted-u-s-backs-false-flag-chemical-attack-in-syria?xg_source=activity

What this means
http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Obama-US-is-now-facing-a-more-abbreviated-time-frame-on-decision-for-Syria-Egypt-response-324048

is that Obama realizes..that the claim that Assad gassed Syrian civilians..on the very day UN chemical weapons inspectors arrived simply makes no sense,..and if Assad were really stupid enough to do that,..why didn't he gas the hired mercenarie..instead of women and children?
http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/voice-of-russia-news-of-chemical-weapons-attack-in-syria-published-one-day-before-massacre/62138/

But this next war..for the bankers is on,..as Le Figaro is reporting that US-supported fighters..started entering Syria on the 17th,..three days before the gas attack!

http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/lieofthecentury.php

http://www.globalresearch.ca/obama-doj-asks-court-to-grant-immunity-to-george-w-bush-for-iraq-war/5346637

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtcpB7flZBY
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/israel-strikes-terror-site-in-lebanon-after-rocket-fire/2013/08/23/240b7d2c-0bc8-11e3-9941-6711ed662e71_story.html

all wars are bankers wars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfEBupAeo4

hey..true blue..is it me an you
http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Syrian-rebel-forces-trained-by-West-are-moving-towards-Damascus-324033

So Obama is going to try to legitimize..this premptive invasion
http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/report-war-looms-hundreds-of-american-troops-and-cia-operatives-have-entered-syria_08232013

by gong to the UN,..which will fail..as Russia will likely veto any security council resolution authorizing military action,..

at which point Obama will "go it alone"...meaning..sending more American kids to kill people who dare sell their oil for currencies other than the US dollar.

People,
At least this ratbag "one under god" will be pleased to see that another ratbag named Rudd is reading our forces to help firing those big bang bangs at those naughty Arabs.
This time he wants to be sure the reports of bad weapons is true. Funny I always thought all weapons were bad.

i was watching kosshies angels
http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/10465342/

the 2 de story was re 4 blackguys
finding a shop..*unlocked..[via a computer lock..malfunction]

they found what they wanted..
left payment on the counter..and left ..closing the door

now that..is real..aussie spirit

ps..*the shopkeeper gave each a 50$..gift voucher
again..true aussie spirit*..allround..

sadly
this is all that google search reveals

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=35427409

more sad is ..vidio search..
only turned up..the usual..suspect propaganda
it is unaustralian..i rekon

but it should be up soon
cvause..thats the aussie way

at the koshy angelss link

Chris,

OUG has been here for yonks.

He posts a little more originally that most of us around here.

He's not abusive and he has a view to offer.

You are not compelled to read his posts.

If you don't wish to, I suggest you scroll past them.

...and perhaps refrain from abusing him......

Spot on, Poirot :)

I'll bet you never expected me to say that :)

Love,

Joe

its up
http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/18701173/honest-shoppers-leave-money-behind/

ohand kevinis live till 7pm
on..reddit..taking on all comers

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1lbe0s/i_am_kevin_rudd_the_prime_minister_of_australia/

but i cant [dont want to]..figure reddit out

What is needed is some bi-partisanship. On the whole there's very little to choose between the two parties other than some differences in approach. There is no doubt that both have the best interests of the country at heart.

This nation has been in campaign mode since January and I for one will be very glad when the election is over and the real work of running the country can begin.

I'd like to see some changes made to both parties policies around refugees and some serious efforts made within our international partnerships to reduce the conflicts that produce the refugees. I've previously discussed the role of religion and that may well yet be the key. All of the world's religions claim to be primarily about peace, so let's get them involved in talking to each other instead of fighting over points of theology that are really just overlays.

Let's try to work out the genuinely intractable differences around control of resources that are at the heart of the disputes and reduce the refugees at the source. Let people travel for the experience and adventure, not because they have to leave home or face persecution and worse.

I think that Bob Katter's ideas about regional and interior development are interesting too and could be a nice fit with a more nuanced approach to the refugee problem.

On education I lean a little each way. The ALP model is good, but needs to provide good support to principals to allow well-informed decision-making without too much guesswork. The LNP model is typically cautious and I like the emphasis on teacher quality and values.

A less rushed approach to tertiary study would also be on mu wishlist. Give people time to properly fit their study into a framework rather than insist they simply learn facts without much context.

[cont]

What does all that have to do with being an Australian?

Well, it's about a fair go and mateship and letting people find their feet. It's about making people welcome and allowing them to participate in their own way. A friend who immigrated as a child said to me recently that he loved this country because it has no restrictions on what you can become, whereas his country limits what you can do based on who and what you know.

I reckon all our politicians need to keep that in mind.

Give people a fair chance and help when they need it and they'll do well. Reward exceptional qualities exceptionally well, but let people work out their own way of fitting into their skin, whatever colour or shape it is.

We're all human after all, even if some of us don't have the same natural advantages.