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- Written by: Op-Ed Monty
The 17th of March marks the date of the death of St Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland. St Patrick was actually born in Britain but, when he was 16, he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. It was about the year 415 and there was no kids helpline or social media available to send out a cry for help.
So he planned and plotted and eventually managed to escape. Alas, Paddy was no Houdini and he was sent off to France where he was introduced to Christianity.
He escaped again and managed to return to Ireland, which he now accepted as home. Converted to the Christian religion, he set about spreading the Word throughout Ireland. Perhaps the most well-known legend of St. Patrick is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.
Read more: St Patricks Day - Snakes Spuds and Irish Eyes of Blue
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- Written by: Op-Ed Shaydee Lane
In an age where political grandstanding and short-term gains dominate the landscape, the need for true statesmanship has never been greater.
Too many politicians chase votes, media soundbites, and party approval, while too few think beyond the next election cycle.
A statesman, by contrast, is driven by principles, long-term vision, and the greater good of the nation. If our societies are to thrive, we must demand leaders who put country before career, integrity before ideology, and legacy before popularity.
The question is: do we still recognise the difference?
Read more: Statesmen Wanted: Why Our Nations Need Leaders, Not Just Politicians
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- Written by: The PR Blog
In 1932, as Australia reeled from the Great Depression, a determined nine-year-old boy named Lennie Gwyther set off on an incredible journey.
Riding his beloved pony, Ginger Mick, Lennie traveled over 1,000 kilometres from his family’s farm in Leongatha, Victoria, to Sydney to witness the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Alone on the road, he captured the nation’s imagination, becoming a symbol of courage, resilience, and the indomitable Aussie spirit.
As our youngsters sit behind their computers or have radical leftist doctrines shoved down their throats, it is time to remember what we are truly capable of, if we set our minds to the task. Or are allowed to do so.
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- Written by: Op-Ed Flysa
Roger Casement was an Irish diplomat, humanitarian, and revolutionary whose early career was defined by his tireless efforts to expose human rights abuses in Africa and South America. As a British consul in the Congo Free State, he played a crucial role in revealing the brutal exploitation of indigenous peoples under King Leopold II’s rule, leading to international condemnation of Belgian colonial practices.
Later, he uncovered similar atrocities in the Putumayo region of the Amazon. However, his deepening commitment to Irish nationalism saw him shift from imperial service to revolutionary activism. Embracing the cause of Irish independence, he sought German support for the 1916 Easter Rising, a move that led to his arrest, trial, and execution for treason.
In the eyes of many, he became "the wearer of the green" - a martyr for Ireland, immortalized in history and folklore.
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- Written by: Op-Ed Happy Expat
St. Patrick’s Day might be an Irish tradition, but in the heart of the Australian Outback, it takes on a character all its own. Under the sun, far from the green fields of Ireland, bush pubs overflow with laughter, cold beer, and a good dose of Aussie-Irish banter. From dusty cattle stations to tiny country towns, the day is marked with spirited celebrations that blend Irish heritage with classic Outback grit - think Guinness poured beside Bundy rum, green clovers pinned to Akubras, and the sound of a fiddle competing with a distant dingo’s howl.
One of our regular sojourns was to the St. Patrick’s Day races at Broken Hill. It was traditionally held over a long weekend to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day and, like the Birdsville races, attracted a big crowd from all over the Outback and beyond.
This is my story of our trip to celebrate St Patricks Day in the Australian bush.
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