On the TV news last night they showed a similar map. For those of us who had already voted or were a bit far away we were told we could get one delivered by Uber !
Great article Gideon. Have just completed voting this morning and always enjoy the informal sense of occasion and community that voting provides. Have read a lot about the need to make it easier and take advantage of technology but I think if we go down that path, we lose something greater than the convenience of a ‘click’ and move on.
The Whitlam yarn made me chuckle as well. I owe a lot to the Whitlam Government. The child endowment system they put in place eased the burden somewhat for my single mother. They may have faltered in their economic management but their sense of social responsibility was sound and what Government should be doing.
I’ll get off my soapbox now. Enjoy the bbq snags everyone.
We complained bitterly about Whitlam, Fraser, Hawke, Howard etc at the time - but we’d have them back in a heartbeat if we could rather than the very poor alternatives since & now.
Great story Gideon Myself and a mate - an unsuccessful candidate in WA’s most unwinable electorate in the early 2000’s - also were graced with Gough’s autograph, on an It’s Time, poster for helping him onto a stage. I’m now in the US - the Yosemite hills - looking forward to tonight’s coverage and thanking Trump for Albo’s deliverance.
Don’t you love these House of Reps seats with the historical names like Linguari & Mc Mahon?Do you remember Philip Adamssaying when Billy went somewhere alongside his tall glamorous wife “she looks like Snow white down to her last dwarf “
You've prompted me to dig up dad's old slide of us sitting on the lawn at Kirribilli when I was a toddler. You could do that too then! Looking forward to the sequel, Gideon.
Do love the reference to security - in a similar vein I remember in my Uni days trying to find my Dad's new office in the Spring Street Complex after the Surveyor General's department had moved. As I wandered confusedly down the corridors, a man came out of an office, saw me and asked if I needed help. He couldn't direct me to where I needed to go, but not surprisingly, as he was the premier (John Cain). Don't imagine a scruffy 20-something could get that close these days...
Lovely writing as always, all seems pretty idyllic compared to yesterday's results here in England where the far right Reform party made widespread gains, fervently hoping Australia does not go down the same road.
Whenever Gough's name comes up, I'm overcome with a wave of emotional recall of a time when passion, was at the heart of Labor politics, and where Gough was a giant, physically and intelectually, on a stage previously dominated by relative midgets. I first met him in 1977, while working for the ALP organising a rally in the Supreme Court Gardens in Perth, where those of us in awe of him were simply grateful to be in his presence. But perhaps my most enduring memory of him was in 1983, when he came to WA to launch my then wife's election campaign for State Parliament. His imposing 6ft 4" frame, next to her very slight 5ft was a remarkable contrast. Gough, never one to be brief when given licence to speak, spoke for 75 minutes while we all waited to get stuck in to the croissants and cake, and, while I hung on his every word, even I was relieved when he wrapped up. Sadly, we shall never see his like again.
Love those barbied snags on a slice of white Tip Top bread- I recall perhaps imperfectly that just after Goughs election when he& his deputy Lance Barnard were busy organising as much legislation as they could to push through Parliament & it happened to be an important Oz rules final that weekend at the MCG. Gough was contacted by a footy official offering him some choice seats for the game - Gough replied “sorry Comrade but I have much more important business to attend to.”
Have people seen this?
https://democracysausage.org/federal_election_2025/m/@-29.38938,133.3308,z4.536425/
C just showed me: awesome.
On the TV news last night they showed a similar map. For those of us who had already voted or were a bit far away we were told we could get one delivered by Uber !
Cake may finish stronger with pre-poll and postals
Great article Gideon. Have just completed voting this morning and always enjoy the informal sense of occasion and community that voting provides. Have read a lot about the need to make it easier and take advantage of technology but I think if we go down that path, we lose something greater than the convenience of a ‘click’ and move on.
The Whitlam yarn made me chuckle as well. I owe a lot to the Whitlam Government. The child endowment system they put in place eased the burden somewhat for my single mother. They may have faltered in their economic management but their sense of social responsibility was sound and what Government should be doing.
I’ll get off my soapbox now. Enjoy the bbq snags everyone.
For my single mother also, Brett.
What a keepsake, what a memory, and what a delightful story.
We complained bitterly about Whitlam, Fraser, Hawke, Howard etc at the time - but we’d have them back in a heartbeat if we could rather than the very poor alternatives since & now.
Great story Gideon Myself and a mate - an unsuccessful candidate in WA’s most unwinable electorate in the early 2000’s - also were graced with Gough’s autograph, on an It’s Time, poster for helping him onto a stage. I’m now in the US - the Yosemite hills - looking forward to tonight’s coverage and thanking Trump for Albo’s deliverance.
It's an ill wind, Len....
Indeed Gideon Blowing hard over here. Thankfully I’m only around for a few weeks …or less if they find this😃
Not a good time to get a tattoo...
Don’t you love these House of Reps seats with the historical names like Linguari & Mc Mahon?Do you remember Philip Adamssaying when Billy went somewhere alongside his tall glamorous wife “she looks like Snow white down to her last dwarf “
I remember Whitlam calling him Tiberius with a telephone.
Good stuff. If only we looked up to our politicians as we do our cricketers. But that will never happen.
You've prompted me to dig up dad's old slide of us sitting on the lawn at Kirribilli when I was a toddler. You could do that too then! Looking forward to the sequel, Gideon.
Do love the reference to security - in a similar vein I remember in my Uni days trying to find my Dad's new office in the Spring Street Complex after the Surveyor General's department had moved. As I wandered confusedly down the corridors, a man came out of an office, saw me and asked if I needed help. He couldn't direct me to where I needed to go, but not surprisingly, as he was the premier (John Cain). Don't imagine a scruffy 20-something could get that close these days...
Lovely bloke, Mr Cain. Sat next to him at the footy on a couple of occasions. His son a good man also.
Lovely writing as always, all seems pretty idyllic compared to yesterday's results here in England where the far right Reform party made widespread gains, fervently hoping Australia does not go down the same road.
Whenever Gough's name comes up, I'm overcome with a wave of emotional recall of a time when passion, was at the heart of Labor politics, and where Gough was a giant, physically and intelectually, on a stage previously dominated by relative midgets. I first met him in 1977, while working for the ALP organising a rally in the Supreme Court Gardens in Perth, where those of us in awe of him were simply grateful to be in his presence. But perhaps my most enduring memory of him was in 1983, when he came to WA to launch my then wife's election campaign for State Parliament. His imposing 6ft 4" frame, next to her very slight 5ft was a remarkable contrast. Gough, never one to be brief when given licence to speak, spoke for 75 minutes while we all waited to get stuck in to the croissants and cake, and, while I hung on his every word, even I was relieved when he wrapped up. Sadly, we shall never see his like again.
Peter Lalor - the colt from Old Regret?
Lovely little piece, GH. Thanks.
Which Aussie FC and Test cricketers have tried their hand at electoral politics?
Outstanding example: first prime minister Edmund Barton, former first-class umpire and vice-president NSWCA.
Oh yes of course. The hero of the 1879 boisterous match!
Love those barbied snags on a slice of white Tip Top bread- I recall perhaps imperfectly that just after Goughs election when he& his deputy Lance Barnard were busy organising as much legislation as they could to push through Parliament & it happened to be an important Oz rules final that weekend at the MCG. Gough was contacted by a footy official offering him some choice seats for the game - Gough replied “sorry Comrade but I have much more important business to attend to.”
Not a good start to his prime ministership!! .
Did you notice that Masterfoods has released a democracy sauce to complement the democracy sausage?
What a combination - wonder what it tastes like ?
Freedom.
Perhaps something truly Australian like Vegemite
Similar to a Bunnings sausage ?
I saw Graham Richardson in Coles Lindfield once. He was with what I assume was one of his children. Not particularly impressive I suppose.
Whatever it takes.
Go woke. Go broke.
Evidence seems light on that assertion. Afraid of empathy for others? Helping those in need?
Go woke. Win big.
Seem a little triggered little Troy. I voted Labor too 😉
Go woke. Win.
Should be true even if it's not.