After The Dust Has Settled

Well the 1980s (and adjacent decades) Thredbo Reunion was quite a hit - so I am told. It started hot and sticky and very quickly turned to cold with rain and hail in the village and even a brief dusting of white on the highest peaks.

They came from far and wide and that seemed to also describe the part in their hair and the shape of their bodies ;-)

I wish I had been there but legal matters dragged me away to Sydney.

Here are some snapshots from Rosco, who despite the party weekend, kept a steady hand and a keen eye on his surroundings.

Easter 1985

31 years later

The young at heart gather

The lads went on what Rosco called a "mountain worship" walk, despite the weather

So many to talk to and so many to catch up with

Antons T-bar was on the itinerary for Rosco's stroll

Ah - a little bit on sunshine for the party crew - note the apparel - not like Sydney weather

Images of Thredbo - Rosco style

The Bistro and Keller were popular venues for a drink and reminisce

More impressions of Thredbo - past and present - from Rosco

It is pleasantly cool and damp in Thredbo today and looks as though 'cool' will be the go for the Easter weekend.

You can find a detailed answer to my grumpy question about 26C (in my previous report) written by Anthony Sharwood, at http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/03/10/east-coast-hot-spell_n_9413878.html

Grump: The Fools On The Hill

Did anyone really see what was happening last week when the Senate went on for 29 hours (as I heard it described on ABC radio on Friday lunchtime) about changes to voting laws? The SMH described it as: "a marathon 40-hour debate" and The Australian: 39 hours in total.

Whichever way you look at it, the Senate went to work on Thursday, worked through the night and well into Friday. Regardless of the content of the laws being changed, my question is, how could anyone make a rational, clear and precise decision affecting all Australians when suffering from sleep deprivation?

Would you get into a taxi knowing the driver had been at work for 29 hours, board a bus, train or aircraft knowing the same? Would you consider justice done if a magistrate had been at work for 29 hours before making a decision affecting your well being. Would you trust the surgeon's knife or a teachers comments about your child knowing that they had been hard at it for 29 hours?

Indeed what would occupational health and safety say about the matter?

According to media reports, Labor made several attempts to call it quits for the day and resume debate later but the government forced it on.

I think it was obscene that our elected representatives hold our democracy up to such ridicule. Do they think themselves demi-gods that they can cope with sleep deprivation better than the rest of us, or was there something more sinister behind the enforced 'marathon'?

Surely only a fool or worse would accept changes to laws, affecting all Australians, made under such conditions?