The PR Blog

Following the tragedy at Gallipoli, the ANZAC withdrawal to Lemnos was quickly followed by a consolidation of the Allied forces in Egypt. Monash contended that the Gallipoli campaign “failed only in that it did not achieve its objective”.

He added that if the Turkish Army had not been engaged on Gallipoli it would have been a serious menace to the Allies. He further contended that it was, in fact, a strategic victory and as the builder of an AIF tradition that, alone, made it worthwhile. 20,000 Australians were engaged on Gallipoli but their deeds were an inspiration to the 300,000 who followed. Turkish casualties were 251,309 including 86,692 killed. Australia lost 8,709 killed, NZ 2,701, Britain 21,255 and France 10,000.

I have just finished re-reading the first instalment of the Ned Kelly series and I find the same thought going through my mind: are we, the normal ordinary people, being turned into the Kelly Gang? 

I cannot help but reflect on history and see too many similarities for my liking. The police and the court system and government seem to feel that we are criminals for standing up for our families. Nothing in what is happening today is that dissimilar to the Kelly Gang who seem to have been bullied and coerced into acting and reacting to persecution. Our elected officials are being ruled by so-called experts giving advice, not opinions. That is dangerous to us and to our future. 

I wonder if the goal is to make us so angry, so frustrated and so outraged that we are being taunted into breaking the " law " so that we can be disciplined, dealt with and bullied into submission. I wonder. Being ruled by advice can be very dangerous indeed, except to those who hide behind the apron strings of those that dish it out. 

One of the most famous and best known characters in Australian folk lore, Ned Kelly was a murderer, bank robber, horse thief and a Robin Hood of the Australian bush. No story is better known amongst Australians than the gunfight at Glenrowan where he and his gang met their “Waterloo”. Up in “Kelly country”, north east Victoria, one still needs to take care of what one says if the topic of the Kellys comes up over a few beers or three. He still has many supporters. If my comments appear to be biased it is because I am.

So how did this legendary bushranger become part of our folklore? As the anniversary of his last stand approaches on 28 June, it seems timely to take a look at the story of Ned Kelly and his infamous gang. 

Oh to turn the clock back to happier times .   Today   you would get arrested for sharing a drink or using a plastic straw. ` No social distancing here.   No masks.    

Life these days is ridiculous. 

I grew up in a time when love and romance were in the air and flirtation was fun.    Children played and laughed and explored life.    Life was lived in a world of hard work and enjoyment of the simple things. We hugged and embraced, blew out birthday candles, danced cheek to cheek and whispered sweet nothings in each other's ears. 

What a confusing and sad world we have allowed to be created and I worry that it is too late to turn the clock back. 

W. Somerset Maugham wrote a short story titled "Mr Know-All" about Max Kelada, an officious dealer in pearls, with whom he shared a cabin on a long sea voyage. Like all of the master storyteller's narratives, there was a sting in the tail.