Sime says

If the word eternity can span Sydney's iconic coat hanger, then the term integrity ought to have been emblazoned upon the chimney at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium on 21 April 2018. Wearing the same suit, shirt and tie that I donned some five months ago to farewell my mother, I found myself back at the godforsaken place;  The East Chapel, Northern Suburbs Crematorium. Yet strangely there was no wretched feeling in my bones or signs of dread when dealing with the dead. Instead, like wrapping oneself in a doona, by returning to this place of solemnity I felt that I was revisiting an old friend. Despite most of my family's 'old' friends having gone up in smoke at this very place,  there is a familiarity about the four chapels that I nickname the "crem". The older you are, the more visits you make. On this day the dear departed soul was my mother's rheumatologist Dr John Hassall, who first diagnosed her crippling arthritic condition in the 1980s. He al...

When was the last time Australians came together as one? Was it during the Queen’s first visit to Australia, the Mabo decision, winning the America’s Cup or Cathy Freeman claiming gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics perhaps?  A united front is too often blocked by division and dissent which are the drivers of debate. It begins on the roads as one travels to work, floats through the airwaves on talkback radio and carries on all day, every day in parliament. We can’t gain 100% agreement on anything, be it driving ability, climate change, republicanism, gay marriage, boat traffic, transport, toll roads, property development, even franking credits. It’s taken a game of cricket played by a few cheats to pull the national team of spectators together. And doesn’t it feel good. Not the resultant shame bestowed upon Australia by the act but the strength in numbers that has formed a tidal wave of like minds united in the demand for fair play. Cheating is just not cricket and if a...