Aussie Readers discussion

Ha ha. I was going to write something similar Mark. I drive a 14 year old Mazda 121, the paint is fading, it has several small dints that add character -- but it has never broken down, it's relatively cheap to run and surprisingly spacious in side. What more do you want from a car? The other thing I like about it is that it doesn’t have much in the way of electronic gadgetry to break down. It certainly isn't worth stealing.

Has anyone else seen this article in the newspaper?

A SIX-year-old Muslim girl has been banned from the school bus because she dacked a boy after he repeatedly told her to take off her hijab.
Darwin company Buslink sent a letter to Middle Point School at Fogg Dam stating year one student Iran Ghavami was banned for ten days for "bullying and harassment of other passengers".

Her Muslim father Karim Ghavami and non-Muslim mother Lorraine Gerassimopoulos were horrified when they pulled the letter out of their eldest daughter's school bag last Friday.

"She is only six years old it is a bit harsh," Ms Gerassimopoulos said.

"We would have preferred a warning so we could have sat down and talked about this incident but they are stopping her from going to school," she said.

The ban means Iran has to stay home this week because her parents can't make the 60km round trip to school from their home in Marrakai.

I say 'good on' the little girl! I would have dacked that boy too. In fact I think he's the one that should be banned from the bus!;D

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/mu...

I always treat this type of story with caution. Life is never that black and white and you are unlikely to get the full story.

I just saw the story on the front page of the NT News ... I too thought good on her, as it is what I would have done when I was younger, and I am sure I did. Teasing is a hard thing to deal with, whether you are an adult or child and often the harm done by it is more than that of a physical assault.

Reading the news story about the 20 year old young mother, Marisol Valles, who has just become the new police chief in Mexico. Makes me wish that I could transfer to her some of the supernatural powers that heroes have I read about. I think she will need them, just to stay alive. I wish her well and hope to read her memoirs when she grows old.

Dee-Ann wrote: "Reading the news story about the 20 year old young mother, Marisol Valles, who has just become the new police chief in Mexico. Makes me wish that I could transfer to her some of the supernatural p..."

She's either very brave or very foolhardy Dee-Ann. I couldn't believe it when I saw your post. I hope she survives. Certainly her memoirs would make interesting reading...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/...

It doesn't make any sense.

Amen to that Carmel!

I find this story really disturbing. "AN internationally acclaimed opera singer who lay helpless at a bus stop for more than five hours after suffering a stroke is suing the State Government, Brisbane City Council and Griffith University for negligence."

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/qu...

I'm sure she was passed by because people believed she was a drunk aboriginal person. It's really disgraceful and she's right that the stroke was made worse the longer she didn't receive treatment. Hopefully the case will get lots of publicity and it will change the way people feel about getting involved when a stranger needs help.

Thanks Carmel, and huge congrats to your daughter. Is it the end of school already?? Glad she's recovering from her car accident.:)

Best of luck with her exams Carmel. I also agree with Carmel about your profession Mandy, you add so much to society unlike those of us stuck in offices.

My very hayfevery interview with Maggie Ball, re my forthcoming "Shakespeare's Will" is at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/compulsi....
Sorry for the coughs and sneezes, but it's beautiful spring weather here in Adelaide, and that = hayfever. Maggie's a great interviewer and I think I wasn't as bad as I usually am on phone interviews.

Well it finally happened, or I should say is happening. Jazz is giving birth to her litter, two kits so far and they're both adorable in a slimy kind of way. I'm thinking, judging by her size and behaviour that Jazz probably has at least one more to go - it's so exciting, I'll probably end up keeping them all LOL

Tracey wrote: "Well it finally happened, or I should say is happening. Jazz is giving birth to her litter, two kits so far and they're both adorable in a slimy kind of way. I'm thinking, judging by her size and..."

Very exciting Tracey! Post some photos if you ever get time.:)

Nothing like a good shark story at the beginning of summer!;D

A monster shark alert has been issued after a State Government drum line came off second best against what is believed to be a massive great white lurking off North Stradbroke Island (just off the Gold Coast, Qld). The only remaining evidence of the predator is a huge 19/0 hook the biggest used by Fisheries Queensland that was severely bent.

It has sparked expert estimates the suspect is at least a 5m white pointer, weighing up to a tonne.

The hook was attached to a drum line about 250m off Main Beach near Point Lookout only a couple of kilometres away from a different line where The Sunday Mail photographed a 3m white pointer bitten in half last year. Read more.

Carmel wrote: "Weather in central Victoria today is stunning, what a shame to have to work indoors!!"

I hear you Carmel. Just want to go out and lie in the sun (rare as it is).

I noticed we have a few nurses in the group now (Maxine and Tara and maybe others?). Feel free to use this thread to talk (or complain! LOL) about work. I'm mostly working as a midwife these days although once a year I do a locum with the Rural and Remote Nursing Relief Program (Qld Health) and go to a country hospital to help out for 2-3 months. It's a lot of fun for me cause I get to do a bit of general work as well and see the local sights. Plus it's great for our country colleagues cause they get to take annual leave (usually they have trouble getting holidays because no-one can relieve them). In 2011 I'm thinking of going to Charleville. Or maybe just take time off without pay and work in Tassie for 3 months. I love nursing! I can't think of a job that offers more freedom to travel and see the world!:)

Well Jazz finished having her litter - ended up with five gorgeous bundles. Fortunately I have been looking for good homes since I found out she was pregnant so it's all worked out perfect, two for me and three to very good homes who'll love and care for them. Posted some pics on my Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracey-...
So adorable - I swear I'm going to be a crazy cat lady in my old age, although I also have a dog so maybe that will offset the craziness?

They are gorgeous Tracy. I particularly love the peach and gray coloured one. :)

Tracey wrote: "Well Jazz finished having her litter - ended up with five gorgeous bundles. Fortunately I have been looking for good homes since I found out she was pregnant so it's all worked out perfect, two fo..."

I second Gail... Very Cute Kittens!!

@ Gail

Dear Peter, Na Na Nanana! I got my memoirs out first and now they'll all believe me!!!!

Johnny.;D

Mandy wrote: "@ Gail

Dear Peter, Na Na Nanana! I got my memoirs out first and now they'll all believe me!!!!

Johnny.;D"

Dear Mr Howard

You might think getting in first will give you a head start on credibility, but people stopped believing the "Honest John" slogan a long time ago.

Yours sincerly,
Mr Peter Costello
(bitter and twisted, waiting for the right moment.)

It's shaping up to be a beautiful Spring here in QLD and my wonderful family all pitched in on a working bee to get my gardens in good shape - without even being asked. There's a silver lining to every cloud and this is mine, so much love and help while I've been sick :)

Sorry to hear you're sick Tracey!:( Family are great aren't they. Good you've got you're garden done. With all the water we've been getting lately I think our gardens are going to be jungles by the time summer ends!:)

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That's so cute, Mandy!! :) Get well quickly, Tracey..no fun being sick! :(

Thanks for all the kind thoughts guys. I have my surgery on Friday Nov 5 and they will hopefully find the answer and, fingers crossed, a cure :)

That doesn't sound good. I hope it all goes well for you Tracy.

I'll keep you all informed but at least I've got such a great family who're really looking out for me :)

Oh my word, it is POURING here (Hunter Valley)!!! Has been consistent, heavy rain for the last few hours, flooding rain!! Hope it doesn't!

It must be wide spread. it's pouring in Sydney too.

Yes, I'd say it's come up from Vic!! Hopefully it won't rain in Melbourne tomorrow!

Yes it's just turned cloudy and light rain here in Brisvegas as well! Must be a one hell of a rain cloud!:D

FYI I ended up running 3 sweepstakes due to the big interest so if you think you missed out - check again! Your name will surely be there.:)

Weather's looking iffy here in SE QLD also - so hard to believe it's already Melbourne Cup day. For me that's the signal the years just about over. :)

Tracey wrote: "Weather's looking iffy here in SE QLD also - so hard to believe it's already Melbourne Cup day. For me that's the signal the years just about over. :)"

Yeah one of my colleagues told me she saw a house lit up with Christmas decorations on her way to work last night!

Nooooo! She must have been mistaken! It's too early!

It is pouring in Darwin too!

A great musical spoof of Pres. Barak Obama that is all over the news this morning! Check it out:

http://vodpod.com/watch/4676758-obama...

Mandy wrote: "Tracey wrote: "Weather's looking iffy here in SE QLD also - so hard to believe it's already Melbourne Cup day. For me that's the signal the years just about over. :)"

Yeah one of my colleagues ..."

Got 'em going up round my place as well. There's one street near where I live where it seriously just ends up looking like Christmas threw up on their lawns - they have everything, the lights, the Santa's, reindeer, fake snow, and more colours than I think the rainbow actually has... nearly gives me a migraine driving down the street :) Boy do I sound like a grouch lol

Tracey wrote: "like Christmas threw up on their lawns..."

LMAO!!

Thought I would quickly drop in to let you all know I was awarded another commended place, this time in the Cervantes (W.A.) bush poetry competition. yep! I'm happy (-:

Congratulations, David!!

Hey everybody - Living in Melbourne, please pray for no rain on Sunday as I am having the carpets cleaned. Thanks.

Hey, Sharon, definitely no rain in Melbourne on Sunday!! :)

Carmel wrote: "Sharon (Simi) wrote: "Hey everybody - Living in Melbourne, please pray for no rain on Sunday as I am having the carpets cleaned. Thanks."

No worries Sharon, I'll pencil that one in for the w/end..."

Thanks Carmel

Congratulations David - that's really great news :)

David wrote: "Thought I would quickly drop in to let you all know I was awarded another commended place, this time in the Cervantes (W.A.) bush poetry competition. yep! I'm happy (-:"

Great work!

Thank you everyone (-:

Does that mean you were over here? *Thinks to self...I must start that What's on in W.A. thread so that David can tell us what's on in our state!*

You can do it Jan its easy.