octave

I have been there. quite spectacular

Nope Trove (from the National Library), although some images you can download, but not republish) . I am not saying you can't have any objections, but let's not make a straw man argument. There is total no ban on taking photos at Uluru or the National Gallery, for that matter. Yes, if you are going to make money off those pictures, there is a permit fee. Here is a commercial site that SELLS [pictures. Presumably, these people paid and are now reselling. I have been to many religious sites around the world that have rules or restrictions, and as an atheist, I find it hard to understand, but I do cope with it. I fully accept other opinions as long as I am free to put my opinion. Often, I make points such as, if difficult place names are a danger to tourists, then surely this means changing hundreds of preexisting difficult names (logical isnt it?) I am happy for this idea to be challenged, but no one does; they just move on to photo permits. I know I am probably considered a woke idiot, but I feel that at least I put some effort into my arguments. Any, I will leave it to you guys to argue about

OK re phoitos at Uluru. As usual, the conservative press tells half a story in order to stoke outrage. When I read that article, I was led to believe that you could not take holiday snaps. Yes, you do need a permit for COMMERCIAL photography, and this does include influencers. These people were travel bloggers, I,E, making money. Whether these rules are over the top or not is open for debate. Here are the rules: I’m just grabbing some photos for my personal use. You won’t need to get a media permit but you need to stick to the designated paths and respect the rules. There are some no-go areas and places where you can’t film. However, there are plenty of signposted areas where you can capture the essence of Australia’s Red Centre. I’m planning to use the videos and images for commercial use. This is where you need to get a permit and agree to a host of rules and regulations. It is advised to get your permit well in advance.

Not sure what this has to do with how difficult Indigenous names are to pronounce. I read the article, and the people did not seem to be whinging about the rules; they just wanted to make others aware of the rules. "We want to clarify the intention of this post: to openly own our mistakes caused by misunderstanding the guidelines around filming and photography at Uluru and Kata Tjuta,' she said. 'Our goal was to share honestly and help fellow travellers and creators enjoy their journeys while avoiding the same errors we made.' 'This isn't about criticism or blame, just transparency and learning,' she added." They seem to be reasonable people; however, of course, Sky News is all for stoking outrage. If I go into an art gallery and there is a no photography rule, then that's it. Again, what does this have to do with place names?

How dare you, only the finest Whisky

The problem is, we speak English in Australia, and it's our primary language SydneyWhen I moved to Sydey from Adelaide, I was a bit stumped by some Sydney suburb, Sans Souci comes to mind. Of the list of Australian names I posted, which ones do you think need to be changed for the safety of tourists, Woolongong or Yealerong? We are no9t mtalkoi9ng about renaming something here. This is a new park. Do you want it to be called Earls Court or Canterbury? My son moved to NZ 11 years ago and because he is not a halfwit he leartned how to pronounce place names. When I visit, I take the time to learn a few simple rules so as not to look like a halfwit. Wh fff.l It is easy. I suspect that people whinging about this do not care about older established names but just hate anything new. Do these people lose their sh1t when they hear Gundagai (what should we change that to?) When I worked in Canberra, I did not lose my sh1t of suburbs like Ngunnawal, this was pre-internet, but I imagine I asked a proud local. When my son moved to NZ his tiny brain did not explode. Every country has place names that are unique and possibly not straightforward. How would you folk cope in the UK? Woolfardisworthy (pronounced Woolz er ree) and the list is huge. The argument that these must be a danger to tourists is drawing a long bow, I think In terms of the name inj question,l I can't put it any simpler. The g is silent as it is in many English words. Surely .

It is only considered unpronounceable because it is a little new to us. As a British immigrant (came when I was 18 months old), I am intensely proud of Australia and our unique place names. Would you rather that everything be named after English place names? Perhaps Windsor or St George or something. Look it seems to me that anyone of average intelligence should be able to cope with this, the only (slight) trick in here is that the g in Ngarrak is silent. It is easy, I am sure you can cope, but if not, here is how it is pronounced Here is a list of Australian names. I love that these names are unique to Australia. A← Adaminaby Adelong Ajana[3] Adelong Akuna Bay Aldinga Allambie Allambie Heights Allanooka Allawah Allora Amaroo Amelup Anembo Angledool Angourie Angurugu Anula Arakoon Araluen Arana Hills Aranda Aratula Ardmona Areyonga Argalong Arrawarra Arrino[3] Attunga Aurukun Awaba →B← Baandee[3] Babakin[3] Badgebup[3] Badgingarra[3] Badjaling[3] Bailup[4] Baladjie[3] Balagundi[3] Balarang Balbarrup[3] Balcatta[4] Balga[4] Balgarri[3] Balingup[3] Ballarat Balkuling[3] Ballaballa[3] Bamaga Banya Banyo Barangaroo Bardoc[3] Bargo Baringa Barra Brui (East Gordon) Barraba Barragup[4] Baryulgil Beerburrum Beechina[4] Beeliar[4] Beerwah Bega Bellambi Bellara Bellata Bejoording[3] Belka[3] Belmunging[3] Bemboka Benalla Bencubbin[3] Bendering[3] Benjaberring[3] Berala Berrara Beria[3] Bermagui Berowra Berri Bewong Creek Bilbarin[3] Billimari Biloela Binalong Bindi Bindi[3] Bindoon[3] Binnaway Binningup[3] Binna Burra Binnu[3] Birralee Birrong Birtinya Bli Bli Bodalla Bodallin[3] Buddina Bogan Gate Boggabilla Boggabri Bolaro Bolgart[3] Bolong Bomaderry Bombala Bombo Bondi Bong Bong Bongaree Boodarockin[3] Boogardie[3] Boolading[3] Boolaroo Booligal Boonoo Boonoo Boorabbin[3] Booragoon[4] Boorara[3] Boorowa Boreen Point Bowelling[3] Bowgada[3] Bowral Boya[4] Boyanup[3] Boyup Brook[3] Bredbo Brit Brit Broulee Brundee Buderim Budgewoi Bulimba Bullaring[3] Bulli Buln Buln Bullaburra Bulong[3] Bung Bong Bundamba Bundanoon Bundeena Bungulla[3] Bunjil[3] Bunyip Burakin[3] Buraja Burekup[3] Burpengary Buronga Burracoppin[3] Burran Rock[3] Burraneer Buttaba →C← Caboolture Cabramatta Cabramurra Calga Calingiri[3] Caiguna Callala Caloundra Cammeray Canbelego Canberra Candelo Canna[3] Carbunup River[3] Cardup[4] Caringbah Carnamah[3] Caron[3] Carrabin[3] Carramar[4] Chinocup[3] Chittering[3] Clackline[3] Clybucca Cobargo Cocklebiddy Collarenebri Collaroy Conargo Condingup[3] Congelin[3] Coodanup[4] Coogee Coogee[4] Cookernup[3] Coolac Coolah Coolamon Coolangatta Coolbellup[4] Coolbinia[4] Coolgardie[3] Coolimba[3] Cooloongup[4] Coolup[3] Cooma Coomalbidgup[3] Coonabarabran Coonamble Coonawarra Cooran Coorow[3] Cooroy Cootamundra (but Cootamundry Creek) Coraki Coramba Cordering[3] Corowa Corrigin[3] Corrimal Corryong Couridjah Corindi Cowandilla Cowaramup[3] Cowcowing[3] Cowra Cringila Cronulla Cuballing[3] Cuddingwarra[3] Cudgewa Cudmirrah Culburra Cullacabardee[4] Cunderdin[3] Cunjerong Point Curl Curl Currambine[4] Currarong Currumbin Currumundi →D← Dalaroo[3] Dalwallinu[3] Dalyup[3] Dandaragan[3] Dandenong Dangin[3] Dardanup[3] Darkan[3] Dapto Dattening[3] Deniliquin Derrimut Dharruk Diddillibah Dinninup[3] Dimbulah Dirranbandi Doonan Drik Drik Drouin Dongara[3] Doodlakine[3] Dooralong Dowerin[3] Dubbo Dudinin[3] Dukin[3] Dumbleyung[3] Dungog Duranillin[3] Duri Dwarda[3] Dwellingup[3] →E← Echuca Echunga Ejanding[3] Elanora Eleebana Eneabba[3] Eradu[3] Erina Ettalong Ettamogah Eucla[3] Eugowra Eujinyn[3] Eulaminna[3] Eumundi Eungai Euroa Eurobodalla Eurunderee →G← Gabanintha[3] Gabbin[3] Gagalba Galong Ganmain Garah Geelong Gerogery Gerringong Gidgegannup[4] Gilgandra Gindalbie[3] Gingin[3] Ginninderra Giralang Girraween Girrawheen[4] Gnangara[4] Gnowangerup[3] Goodna Goodooga Gooloogong Goomalling[3] Goondi Goondiwindi Goonellabah Goonengerry Goongarrie[3] Goonoo Goonoo Goornong[5] Gringegalgona Grong Grong Gulargambone Gunbalanya Gudarra[3] Gulgong Gullewa[3] Gundagai Gundamaian Gundaroo Gungahlin Gunnedah Gunyidi[3] Guyra Gwambygine[3] Gwelup[4] Gymea →H← Howatharra[3] Howlong →I← Illabo Illaroo Illalong Illawong Iluka[4] Inala Indooroopilly Ingebyra Innaloo[4] Imbil →J← Jamberoo Jandabup[4] Jannali Jardee[3] Jeebropilly Jennacubbine[3] Jeparit Jerangle Jerdacuttup[3] Jerrabomberra Jerramungup[3] Jimboomba Jincumbilly Jindabyne Jindalee, Queensland Jindalee[4] Jingalup[3] Jindabyne Jindera Jingellic Jitarning[3] Joondalup[4] Jugiong →K← Kalamunda[4] Kalannie[3] Kalbarri[3] Kaleen Kalgan[3] Kalgoorlie[3] Kallangur Kallaroo[4] Kalli Kambah Kambalda[3] Kameruka Kanahooka Kangy Angy Kanowna[3] Kanwal Karawara[4] Karrabin Karingal Karangi Kardinya[4] Kareela Kariong Karlgarin[3] Karnup[4] Karragullen[4] Karrakatta[4] Karrakup[4] Karratha[3] Karridale[3] Karrinyup Karuah Karumba Katanning[3] Katoomba Kauring[3] Kebaringup[3] Kellerberrin[3] Kemblawarra Kendenup[3] Keperra Kerang Khancoban Kiah Kiama Kiara[4] Kiewa Kiley Killara Kirrawee Kirribilli Kirup[3] Kogarah Kojonup[3] Kokardine[3] Konnongorring[3] Koo Wee Rup Koojan[3] Koolan[3] Koolanooka[3] Koolewong Koolyanobbing[3] Koonawarra Koondoola[4] Koongamia[4] Koorda[3] Kooragang Koreelah Korrelocking[3] Kooringal Korumburra Kotara Kowanyama Krambach Kudardup[3] Kukerin[3] Kulikup[3] Kulin[3] Kulja[3] Kulyalling[3] Kumari Kundana[3] Kunjin[3] Kununoppin[3] Kununurra[3] Kuranda Kurnalpi[3] Kurnell Kurrawang[3] Kweda[3] Kwelkan[3] Kwinana[4] Kwolyin[3] Kyancutta Kyogle Kurri Kurri Kyabram Kyeemagh Kywong →L← Lake Cooroibah Lameroo Lang Lang Larrakeyah Legana Lenah Valley Leongatha Leumeah Leura Liawenee Lilli Pilli Loorana Lurnea Lutana →M← Magati Ke Malanda Maleny Mallina[3] Malua Bay Manangatang Mandiga[3] Mandogalup[4] Manera Heights Mandurah[4] Mandurama Mandurang Maningrida Manildra Manilla Manjimup[3] Manmanning[3] Maralinga Marangaroo[4] Marayong Marbelup[3] Marchagee[3] Mardella[4] Mareeba Marmong Point Maroochydore Maroota Maroubra Mareeba Marree Maribyrnong Mariginiup[4] Mathoura Matong Maya[3] Mayanup[3] Maydena Meckering[3] Meekatharra[3] Meenaar[3] Mendooran Menindee Merimbula Merredin[3] Merriwa[4] Merrygoen Mia Mia Michelago Miling[3] Millaa Millaa Millmerran Milparinka Milperra Mindarie[4] Minnamurra Mingenew[3] Minyip Mirrabooka[4] Mittagong Moama Moe Mogo Monbulk Mollymook Moodiarrup[3] Moojebing[3] Mooloolaba Moonah Moonbi Mooloolaba Mooney Mooney Moonijin[3] Moora[3] Moorabbin Moorine Rock[3] Moornaming[3] Moorooka Mooroolbark Mooroopna Moorumbine[3] Morawa[3] Mordialloc Moree Moruya Moulyining[3] Mount Colah Mount Ku-ring-gai Mount Warrigal Muchea[3] Mudgee Mudjimba Muja[3] Mukinbudin[3] Mulgarrie[3] Mulgoa Mullaloo[4] Mullalyup[3] Mullengandra (formerly Mullanjandra) Mullewa[3] Mulline[3] Mullumbimby Mulwarrie[3] Mundaring[4] Mundijong[4] Mundubbera Mungindi Mungalup[3] Munglinup[3] Muntadgin[3] Murarrie Muradup[3] Murdunna Murrin Murrin[3] Murrumba Downs Murrumbeena Murrumburrah Murrurundi Murwillumbah Myalup[3] Myaree[4] →N← Nabawa[3] Nabiac Nalkain[3] Nalya[3] Nambrok Nambucca Nana Glen Nangeenan[3] Nannine[3] Nannup[3] Naracoopa Naraling[3] Narara Nareena Hills Narembeen[3] Naremburn Narkal[3] Narooma Narwee Narrabeen Narrabri Narrabundah Narrandera Nar Nar Goon Narngulu[3] Narrabundah Narrandera Narrawallee Narre Warren Narraweena Narrikup[3] Narrogin[3] Narromine Needilup[3] Neendaling[3] Neerabup[4] Nelligen Nemingha Nerriga Nerrigundah Ngunnawal Nhulunbuy Nimmitabel Ningi Nippering[3] Nirimba Noarlunga Noggerup[3] Nollamara[4] Noojee[3] Noongal[3] Noongar[3] Noosa North Dandalup[3] North Yunderup[4] Nowergup[4] Nowra Nugadong[3] Nullagine[3] Numbah Nungarin[3] Nungatta Nunngarra[3] Nuriootpa Nyabing[3] Nyngan →O← Omeo Ongerup[3] Ourimbah Ouyen →P← Pambula Papunya Panania Pannawonica[3] Parraburdoo[3] Paringa Parramatta Patchewollock Patonga Pawleena Pegarah Pemulwuy Penna Perenjori[3] Peringillup[3] Pialligo Piawaning[3] Pindar[3] Pingaring[3] Pingelly[3] Pingrup[3] Pinjar[4] Pinjarra[3] Pintharuka[3] Pinwernying[3] Pithara[3] Poatina Pooncarie Pootenup[3] Popanyinning[3] Pormpuraaw Porongurup Primbee Pyree →Q← Quaama Quairading[3] Qualeup[3] Quambone Queanbeyan Quandialla Quigup[3] Quindalup[3] Quindanning[3] Quirindi →R← Ramingining Reekara →S← South Kumminin[3] South Yunderup[4] →T← Tahmoor Talbingo Tallangatta Tallawarra Tallebudgera Tambellup[3] Tammin[3] Tangambalanga Tanilba Bay Tanunda Tarago Taralga Taranna Tarcutta Taree Taringa Taroo Taroona Tarragindi Tarraleah Tarrawanna Tarzali Tathra Telarah Tenindewa[3] Teralba Terara Terrigal Tewantin Tharwa Thirroul Thredbo Thurgoona Tibooburra Tilpa Timbillica Tincurrin[3] Tingalpa Tingha Tintaldra Tolga Tomerong Tongarra Toodyay[3] Toogoolawah Toukley Toolibin[3] Tooloom Toombul Toongabbie Toowong Toowoomba Toolijooa Toowong Toukley Towradgi Towrang Trangie Trayning[3] Tuckanarra[3] Tuggerah Tuggeranong Tuggerawong Tullimbar Tumbarumba Tumbi Umbi Tumblong Tumut Tuncurry Tura Beach Turlinjah Turramurra →U← Uki Umina Unanderra Uraidla Uriarra Uralla Urana Urunga →W← Wadalba Waddamanna Wadderin[3] Wagaman Wagerup[3] Wagga Wagga Wagin[3] Wahroonga Walbundrie Walcha Walgoolan[3] Walla Walla Wallabadah Wallangarra Wallerawang Walwa Wamberal Wanaaring Wandandian Wandering[3] Wandi[4] Wandoan Wangaratta Wangi Wangi Wannamal[3] Wannanup[4] Wanneroo[4] Wantirna Waramanga Warana Waratah Warrimoo Waroona Warrachuppin[3] Warragul Warralakin[3] Warrandyte Warrawong Warrnambool Warumbul Watheroo[3] Wee Waa Welbungin[3] Werombi Weetangera Werribee West Toodyay[3] Wialki[3] Wickepin[3] Widgiemooltha[3] Wilcannia Wilga[3] Wilkawatt Willagee[4] Willunga Wiluna[3] Windang Windellama Wingala Wingello Wodalba Wodonga Wogarl[3] Wokalup[6] Wollombi Wollomombi Wollongong Wooloowin Wonboyn Wongai Wongan Hills[3] Wonnerup[3] Woodanilling[3] Woodarra[3] Woolgoolga Wooli Woollahra Woolloomooloo Woolloongabba Woongarra Woori Yallock Woorim Wombarra Wongawilli Woodenbong Woolgoolga Woollamia Woomargamah Woomera Woonona Wooroloo[4] Wonthaggi Worrigee Woy Woy Wubin[3] Wujal Wujal Wulkuraka Wundowie[3] Wurtulla Wyalkatchem[3] Wyee Wyening[3] Wymah Wyong Wyongah →Y← Yackandandah Yagoona Yalgoo[3] Yallah Yallakool Yallambie Yalup Brook[3] Yalwal Yamba Yambacoona Yanchep[4] Yanco Yandanooka[3] Yanderra Yandina Yarrahapinni Yerrinbool Yangebup[4] Yanmah[3] Yannawah Yannergee Yantabulla Yarding[3] Yarloop[3] Yaroomba Yarrabah Yarrabandai Yarralumla Yarram Yarramalong Yarraman Yarrawarrah Yarrawonga Yarra Bay Yarri[3] Yatala Yattalonga Yatte Yattah Yealering[3] Yeerongpilly Yelbeni[3] Yellowdine[3] Yennora Yeppoon Yerecoin[3] Yeronga Yerrinbool Yilliminning[3] Yirrkala Yokine Yolla Yoogali Yornaning[3] Yoting[3] Youanmi[3] Youndegin[3] Yoweragabbie[3] Yowie Bay Yowrie Yuendumu Yulara Yullundry Yuluma Yuna[3] Yundamindera[3] Yungaburra Yunndaga[3] Regions and shires not named after town, river, etc. Banyule City Council Baryulgil Barrenjoey Boroondara City Council Buloke Shire Corangamite Shire Demondrille Shire (abolished) Eurobodalla Shire Gannawarra Shire Illawarra Ku-ring-gai Municipality Moorabool Shire Mulwaree Shire (abolished) Murrumbidgee Murrundindi Shire Ngaanyatjarraku Nillumbik Shire Orana Region Pilbara Warringah Shire Yarriambiack Shire Natural features Beaches (not named after town or suburb) Belongil Bouddi Bulgo Beach Bungan Elouera Era Beach (North and South) Garie Beach Tamarama Beach Wanda Wattamolla Werri Beach Werrong Beach Bays Akuna Careel Curracurrang Cove Curracurrong Cove Erowal Bay Gunamatta Malua Myuna Bay Tanilba Bay Toowoon Waratah Yowie Lakes Budgewoi Bungunnia Burrendong Burrill Lake Cargelligo Lake Canobolas Catagunyah Lake Conjola Coomaditchy Lagoon Coongie Etamunbanie Minigwal Lake Mokoan (now demolished) Moondah Lake Mulwala Lake Munmorah Noondie Parangana Lake Tabourie Tuggerah Uloowaranie Yamma Yamma Yantabangee Yarra Yarra Rivers Barcoo Barwon Bega Belubula River Belyando Bemboka River Bogan Bokhara River[citation needed] Bombala Boorowa River Brogo River Bulloo Bungala Capertee River Colo Coolaburragundy Crackenback River Cudgegong Culgoa Eucumbene River Goobarragandra River Goolwa Gudgenby River Kalang River Kalgan Kedumba River Kolan Kowmung River Maranoa River Maribyrnong Maroochy Mehi Minnamurra Mitta Mitta Molonglo Mooki Moonie Muleurundi (supplanted by use of name MacDonald River, Bendemeer) Munyang River Murrumbidgee Myponga Nambucca Namoi Narram Nattai River Nerang River Nogoa Noosa River Nowendoc River Nymboida Onkaparinga Orara Pallinup Paroo Parramatta Queanbeyan Ringarooma Talbragar Tamar Tambo Tooma River Tumut River Wallagaraugh River Warragamba River Warrego Willochra Wingecarribee River Wolgan River Wollondilly River Woronora Yankalilla Yappar Yarra Yass (corruption of Ngunnawal word Yarh) Creeks Cabramatta Cockabutta Currumbene Creek Eungai Kinchela Creek Mingera Mullum Mullum Tantawangalo Creek Wallarah Creek Wollemi Wongo Djerriwarrh Islands Kooragang Island K'gari Island Mountains, ranges etc Mount Baranduda Mount Baw Baw Beerwah Mount Bimberi Bindook Tableland Mount Bingar Bogong High Plains Boorowa River (formerly Burrowa) Brindabella Range Budawang Range Mount Buller Bungle Bungle Range Bunya Mountains Burrup Peninsula Bywong Hills Caloola Pass Mount Canobolas Chincogan Conimbla Range Coonoowrin Mount Dandenong Dandenong Ranges Dargo High Plains Dederang Gap Mount Goonaneman Kanangra Walls Mount Kaputar Kata Tjuta Keajura Gap Mount Keira Mount Kembla Kyeamba Gap Moonbi Range Mount Moonbil Mumbulla Mountain Munghorn Gap Nandewar Range Mount Nardi Tibrogargan Mount Tilga Tinderry Range Mount Ulandra Uluru Mount Wandera Watagan Mountains Warrumbungle Range Wilpena Pound Wollumbin (Mount Warning) Wundu (Thornton's Peak) Mount Yarrahapinni You Yangs Deserts Tanami Desert Tirari Desert Caves Bendethera Bungonia Colong Coolamon Jenolan Tuglow Yarrongobilly Borenore Dams Bendora Blowering Burrendong Burrinjuck Corin Eucumbene Googong Jounama Pondage Pindari Tantangara Wyangala Parks and forests National parks Arakoon Arakwal Barool Baw Baw Bendidee Boonoo Boonoo Bouddi Budawang Bundjalung Burrowa Canunda Coopracambra Coorong Croajingolong Currawinya Dharug Dipperu Dunggir Eurobodalla Garigal Japoon Kakadu Karijini Kuringgai Marramarra Muoganmarra Nangar Nattai Nymboida Onkaparinga River Porongurup Purnululu Tamborine Tarra-Bulga Terrick Terrick Uluru-Kata Tjuta Witjira Wollemi Wyrrabalong Yarra Ranges Yengo Nature reserves Muogamarra State forests Bago Barmah Belanglo Bodalla Bondo Buckenbowra Buckingbong Bulga Bullala Bungongo Burrawan Chaelundi Cobaw Cobboboonee Colymea Conjola Corrabare Croobyar Currambine Currowan Dingo Drajurk Etoo Ewingar Gibberagee Gilwarny Goonoo Grahway Ingalba Jenolan Kioloa Malara Maragle Moruya Murrah Nerong Ourimbah Pilliga Pokolbin Riamukka Tallaganda Tamban Tillarook Toolangi Tuggolo Wang Wauk Weecurra Wingello Wombat Woomargama Wyong Yadboro Yalwal Yarratt State Conservation Areas Whian Whian Highways and main roads Ballambur Street Ballandella Road Barrenjoey Road Belconnen Way Bindubi Street Bunnerong Road Canberra Avenue Coranderrk Street Ginninderra Drive Gundaroo Drive Gungahlin Drive Jerrabomberra Avenue Kamilaroi Highway Majura Parkway Maroondah Highway Menang Drive[7] Milperra Road Mirrabei Drive Monaro Highway Namitjira Drive Oodnadatta Track Tharwa Drive Tuggeranong Parkway Warrego Highway Wilman Wadandi Highway[8] Warrigal Road Warringah Road Woniora Road Yamba Drive

I wasn't sure whether to post this obit given that this fellow may not fit into the "well-known: category. I do tend to judge people as to whether they have heard of him or not. The brilliant Tom Lehrer died on the 26 of July 2025. at the age of 97. He was known as a musical satirist, mathematician, and scientist. Tom worked at Los Alamos and Harvard University, among other places. Lehrer quit writing and performing satirical songs and went back to teaching, stating that "Political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.” In our house in the 90s, Tom was played daily. We even still have a recording of our son, aged about five, singing along with every song (including the elements). Perhaps that is why our son turned out smart, woke and happy. Here are a few examples of Leher's whimsical music.

YES!

The auto subtitling has quite a high degree of accuracy, but when it does mess up, it can be quite amusing. My son owns a computer game development company. About once a week, one of the team members produces a short YouTube video talking about updates to their main game and upcoming developments. The fellow who does this is German, although he speaks English without much of an accent. A couple of years ago, I watched one of these videos, and I had subtitles on. He talked about how an update would be delayed because there were some small problems to fix. He said, "There are still some NIGGLES in the system" Unfortunately, the auto subtitle heard the word NIGGLES as, shall we say, a racially offensive word with almost the same letters. Reading the comments, everyone understood what had happened, and it did lead to some quite humorous posts.

GON, you have certainly made me think. In the past, I considered it an injustice to force people to go to war; however, I never really thought of those who were forced to train, even if they never ended up in Vietnam. I fully support recognition for these people. Having said that, you cannot change the past. I am definitely not saying that "it was a long time ago, so just get over it." Those 2 years can not be retrieved, but this makes it all the more important to make the remaining years as joyful as you can. As I posted elsewhere, we spent 20 months almost as prisoners in our own home due to knife and gun-wielding drug dealers next door. Against all odds, we won. We did consider that we would not win, and so we worked on a plan on how we could cope and still have a happy life. We found that when it was getting us down, taking action (even if not an immediate game changer) improved our mental health. Despair is bad enough, but adding helplessness makes it so much worse. I did see a petition online that was asking for "Nashos" who did not end up going to Vietnam to be granted the same benefits, such as a gold card. Although perhaps the odds of success are low, the act of taking positive steps is mentally healthier than just dwelling on the original problem. As a non-believer, I accept that this life is all there is, so I don't want to waste it getting hung up on past injustices or past mistakes. The past is unchangeable, but the future is something we can have some control over

Ye, I totally agree. I would describe us as being on the woke end of the scale. Mrs Ocatve and I have regular conversations about how the system could be better, although we don't come up with much. One of our neighbours worked with someone who knew of this woman, and they said she went to an exclusive school and her father is a retired policeman. The nature of the operation seemed to change with time. At first, we would see her walking out a few steps behind hard-looking men. We put it to Housing that perhaps she was being manipulated. After about 6 months, it became clear that us neighbours were reporting things to the police. The "hard men" seemed to visit less, and she began to be the one coming and going with minions following her. We suspect that she started to play a bigger part and was ambitious. In our meetings with housing, there was a lot of info that they had, but for privacy reasons, they were unable to pass on. At one stage, she did have a legitimate job and was sacked. She took her employer to court for unfair dismissal and lost; however, she did appeal, and on the day of the appeal did not turn up. A lot of information came out at the VCAT hearing. After many warnings from housing, they told her that they would find her a new housing property, which apparently they did, and she turned it down. The presiding member (judge) asked her why she turned it down, and she said, "too many druggies in that suburb" She was also offered counselling, which she started and then stopped, but she claimed that the week before the hearing, she had resumed counselling. We were not sure that we would win the case. History shows that VCAT is very reluctant to evict anyone, and I understand that. The case for the housing department was put by a housing officer with no particular legal training, and the tenant had a lawyer from a housing advocate group (in fact 2 of them) Our local serious crime squad detective sergeant gave evidence first. We didn't hear his evidence because you can't go in until you give evidence, and then you can stay for the rest of the hearing. When he came out, he had a quiet word with us. He said, "Don't get hung up on the evidence, it has already been presented. emphasise the emotional toll" When I gave evidence, the member asked her legal team if they wanted to cross-examine me. The lawyer said, "No, we don't want to add further trauma to the neighbours. I started to feel more optimistic. They were not questioning the evidence. They put it to VCAT that the eviction was not fair and proportional Then came the beautiful part. She wasn't down to speak, having declined the opportunity. She suddenly changed her mind, and she did speak in her defence, but she really started to incriminate herself. She said that the people who visit are hardened criminals and that she is scared of them. Her defence was that she was a victim along with us neighbours. The presiding member was pretty switched on. He asked her why these people visit her. She tried to chage the subject, but he persisted. "What is the motivation for these criminals to come to your house?." She said, "Because I'm a soft touch", she said. She then went on to say that she would often stay at her mother's house because she was scared to be at this property. In the verdict the member said "you say you are afraid to be at your property and you stay with your mother, you dont seem to want to be a anciallye property and your neighbors are suffering, the best thing is for you to vacate (14 days) of course it was more like a month because she did not even start moving until the police came to say that she would be physicall removed on monday. As to what can be done about this kind of problem, I don't really know. Housing can not vet anyone; if you qualify financially, then you are on the list. This woman, I believe, is back on the list and has a high priority. There are stories in the press about others who find themselves in this situation, and often the neighbours just have to move. We decided we would dig in. Some neighbours did give up and move. The police were pushing housing to move her to a particular area. I am not sure of the details, but I believe that it was about herding all the hard cases into one area where they could be more easily policed. I feel that even if housing offers properties to the hard cases that it needs to at least have a few strings attached. Perhaps you could earn your way into a better property with time and good behaviour. Although we are woke bleeding heart lefties, we don't feel too concerned. She has family in the area, and indeed, sometimes we would not see her for days. There would be times when she did not have others staying, and then things would be quiet, but this would not last long. Anyway, all is well, trauma gone, and the property is being sold to someone we know. We believe the outcome was fair and just; however, it took way too long and way too much effort on our part. Being retired helped, but sometimes we would put in a whole day's work looking through hours of doorbell footage and sending it to housing and the police. We know our evidence got several people arrested. We did wonder if there would be reprisals; however, it has been 2 months. These people were pretty dumb, and I suspect they have moved on. There is a saying about successful dealers don't use the products themselves or "don't get high on your own supply" The detective who arrested one of them told me that "he was as dumb as a speed bump" Here is a picture of Knife Man. (deidentified) Knife Man was high on some kind of upper and spent about 2 hours polishing his pushbike. We noticed that he had a scabbard attached to his bike. He wasn't being aggressive, in fact, a neighbour told him to keep the noise down, and he said "sorry mate" We called the police and they did apprehend him briefly, searched him and confiscated the knife.

Sorry, that was a typo, I meant to say we are definitely NOT anti-public housing, being that only 5% of tenants are problematic. I think the problem is that the system works, but very slowly. Checks and balances are necessary, but they need to move faster. Our neighbour was charged several times with drug possession, which is not enough to get you evicted. Drug dealing is enough to get you evicted; however, this drug dealing is but video of someone selling drugs is not enough. The police have to catch the person in possession of a certain amount of drugs, and these people know how to carry only this amount. If a tenant commits a serious crime, they can be evicted, although they have to be prosecuted and have been found guilty in court. A tenant is also responsible for the behaviour of her visitors. Here is a good example. One morning, a man turned up looking for the tenant and shouting abuse. One of our neighbours told him to keep the noise down. The man (allegedly) lifted his shirt to reveal a pistol in his waistband. This was reported to the police, but by the time they got here, the man had left. When it was reported to the housing department, they said (and it is true) that they can not act without evidence. The tenant denied knowing the man. I think it is fair and correct to give people a second chance, just not a fourth or fifth chance.

Here is something that Mrs Octave and I are still celebrating two months on. In 2017 we moved from our beautiful 44-acre bush block with its own crystal-clear river. After 21 years, we were thinking of what it would be like living there as elderly people. We had many neighbours who had grown old and needed people to shop for them, given it was 20 km to the nearest town. We did not want this for ourselves, being that we are fiercely independent. We also did not want to work until we were old and knackered. At 55 years old, we sold up and bought a small unit. For seven years, we would say that “it was a bit of a risk, but not once have we regretted it.” Then we found out that the mysterious premises next door was owned by the Housing Department—public housing. Eventually, they moved someone in. “Hi, I am Sonia,” she said as she introduced herself to my wife, “if I am ever too noisy, just let me know.” We consulted with another neighbour and suggested to him that she may be dealing drugs. The first night, there was a procession of lowlifes coming and going. The other neighbour confirmed this when he said that he had confronted her and she had admitted it. Her defence was that it was not her fault—it was the people who visited her and she could not stop them. Whilst this was plausible, 20 months of observation suggested she was a willing participant. The next six months became hell for us and our other neighbours. We and other neighbours installed doorbell cameras. The first call to the police we made was on a Sunday morning when two testosterone-fuelled morons were being noisy. My wife confronted them, but this made no difference. She did note, however, that they appeared to be switching number plates between two vehicles. A quick search on VicRoads showed that they were putting a plate from a registered car onto an unregistered car. We called 000, and they had someone on scene within about 20 minutes. Result: one arrested, one got away. This turned out to be the least of our problems. Over the next six months, we had several police raids (the use of a ram to bash the door down type affair). A man climbed onto our roof to evade the police. Another man stood outside our place, waving around a savage-looking hunting knife. We called 000, and by the time they arrived, he was on the road leaving the premises, but was detained and searched and had his weapon confiscated—though not arrested. As he came back to the premises, he was shouting, “If I find out who dobbed me in…” Another was arrested and tackled to the ground with a stolen motor scooter. A woman was viciously assaulted. A man was arrested (and jailed) with a loaded gun. (Earlier, I had confronted this creature, but at the time I did not know he was armed.) I think there were around six or seven full-on raids in total. Naively, we thought that this would prompt the Housing Department to evict the tenant. At first, we thought they just did not care. Mrs Octave and I did our research and found that the Housing Department cannot evict anyone directly—VCAT makes the order, and it comes with many second chances. A search of the net suggested that people in a similar predicament had given up, sold up, and moved. There was no way we were going to do that. We printed large signs warning of video surveillance and that drug activity would be reported, saying “deal drugs elsewhere.” This really ruffled feathers, but was quite effective—they started dealing further away. Although things improved, we were not prepared to tolerate it. We had two allies, one in Housing and one in the Serious Crime Squad. Whilst we felt they were ineffective (due to the limits of their power), we made daily incident reports to Housing and many, many Crime Stoppers reports (we lost count at 80). If I detail every dramatic thing that happened, this post would be way too long. There were several aborted VCAT cases. The problem is that the Housing Department does not have the budget for legal representation, whereas the tenant had free legal representation. VCAT tends to be reluctant, in this climate of homelessness, to put someone out on the street—and I can understand that. After one aborted case, the frustrated housing officer, Jessica, came out from the hearing, burst into tears, hugged us, and told us that she was determined to get rid of this tenant. We arrived home one day to be approached by an ashen-faced detective asking if he could have our doorbell cam footage. Of course, we sent it to him, and as we ourselves watched it, we were horrified to see the video of him parking behind a car under the neighbour’s carport, behind a suspect car. This car reversed into the unmarked police car, the detective leaping out of the way and escaping death by inches. The car managed to escape. (We do have an exciting video of this.) When the case was scheduled and the tenant and her “cockroaches” had obviously received a copy of our (and our neighbours’) evidence, about 7 AM, two of her female hangers-on were riding scooters up and down outside shouting, “We know your names, WE KNOW ALL OF YOUR NAMES.” and in fact mention my wife by name, this was gold for the VCAT case. By this stage, we had learned that these morons were too messed up to carry through any kind of threat. Fast forward to July 1. We were at VCAT along with one of our braver neighbours. The local Detective Sergeant gave evidence (they usually don’t bother with VCAT matters). We felt the case was airtight, but VCAT tends to side with the tenant. We all gave our evidence, which was stressful. She was not going to address VCAT, but at the last minute, she changed her mind. It was beautiful—ten whole minutes of self-incrimination. The verdict - Fourteen days to move out. Of course, she did not. So, a week after the 14 days, the police knocked on her door with a “we are coming to throw you out by force on Monday.” On Sunday night at 11:30PM, she and some of her people drove up in a van. They finally left about five minutes before the police arrived. They did leave most of their stuff (other than the meth, I would imagine). Whilst this was occurring, we did suffer anxiety. The sound of a car in the middle of the night would cause me to sit up in bed and grab my phone to see what was going on outside. Even during a trip to New Zealand in April, when staying in a hotel, the sound of a car would cause me to jump. Eight weeks later, this has all gone. There have been upsides as well. We are now very good friends with most of the neighbours. We started a WhatsApp group and would provide instant (and sometimes hilarious) intel about what was happening. We have become very good friends with our closest neighbour. When this neighbour moved in, they were clearly female, but they have transitioned. I wanted to make contact earlier, but I think this person assumed that because I was of a certain age, I would be anti—which could not be further from the truth. Now we go out to lunch together every few weeks. And for the icing on the cake, we put to the Housing Department: how do we know we won’t be put in a similar situation in the future? We also engaged the local state MP. We pretty much said, “We will not put up with it.” We then received an email that sort of suggested they would sell the property rather than go through this again. That sounds good, but who will buy it? Last week we had a BBQ to celebrate, and cheekily we had it on the porch of the now empty offending property (dancing on their f*****g grave). One of our neighbours admitted that she has made an offer for the property. She has a few properties in the street that she rents, and all her tenants are top-notch. The end of this story could not be better for us. Just a few points I would like to make. We are definitely anti–public housing. During this period, it became a full-time job collating evidence and making reports as well as researching the law. In Victoria, we found that there are serious complaints against less than 5 per cent of public tenants. This is very small but very serious, and solutions need to be found. These people are a problem for their neighbours, both public and private. In situations like this, although it is easy to direct anger at those you feel could instantly fix your problem, usually, you are unaware of their limitations ans difficulties. Don’t make enemies—make allies, even if they frustrate you at times. Don’t listen to people who say it can’t be done. Don’t whinge and say “poor me.” Either work out how you are going to fix the problem and, if that is not possible, how you are going to live with the problem (we had a “live with” plan). Don’t be afraid to ring 000. Although there are ads that say if you need us but you don’t need lights or sirens, ring another number, we were initially reticent. But we were told by our friendly detective that you should not worry that it may not be serious enough. I would usually start a 000 call by saying, “No one is in immediate danger but…” Our detective assured me that 000 triage calls, and we were well aware that they may or may not attend. 000 calls, even if not acted upon, create a record that can help build a case. Overall, we were happy with the police, given the stress they are under, although I do have some suggestions that I might pass on. Something we found useful was the welfare check. You ring up the police and say you think your neighbours are doing drugs, and someone sounds like they may be in distress. The police don’t really do much, but it did give the neighbours a fright to have the police knock on their door. Above all, do not surrender to emotion. It is rational, intelligent thinking that will solve the problem. Some of the dramatic occurrences that we caught on video A man on our roof is trying to flee the police (he fell off) Man with a rather large knife (we got him detained) Man arrested carrying a homemade pistol - jailed Man flying a drone over our place at 3 AM Numerous obvious drug deals (it was like a McDonald's drive-through for crystal meth.) At least 6 dramatic raids IE door smashed in. Detective narrowly escapes a car ramming Anyway, we are pretty proud of ourselves, and although it took too long, the result could not be better. This is ultimately a story with a happy ending. We have gigabytes of extremely dramatic footage that I probably shouldn't share, but here is testosterone man (we came up with names for all of the characters) assaulting a woman.