To: Friends, Colleagues, Supporters, Rellies & Customers (as addressed)
Right from the outset I am going to acknowledge the South African-born author – Bryce Courtenay – as the inspiration for the latest heading in my annual Wattle Day newsletter series. I met this famous writer once at a Gordon 2072 Library gathering at the time of a newly-published book (one of many). But it was not until very recently [May, 2024] that I red his first work that was copyrighted way back in 1989: the semi-autobiographical ‘THE POWER of ONE’. Being as I am one myself – an Outsider – I readily identified Courtenay as a very different male-of-the-species human being…indeed a natural Outsider!
A lot of people whom I have met over 80+ years have no appreciable idea of my historic experience living, working and very-nearly marrying in the Republic of South Africa back in the early 70s. Courtenay’s book, written in the First Person, gives a warts ‘n’ all background to the way things were there in The RSA particularly in the immediate pre-World War 2 years, the WW2 years themselves and the immediate post-WW2 years. Boxing was Courtenay’s forte whereas mine was Handball to start with before “footy” codes [Soccer and the two Rugby codes] plus my semi-professional entertainment activity, combined with my Intermediate education track record to develop Yours Truly for a Commerce career of sorts by the late 1950s. In some respects, I was the original “Side Hustler” – a not unreasonable self-assessment – a Side Hustler who was a one-off Outsider as I adjudged Courtenay to be.
Regular readers would be acquainted with my conversational style of reporting and would expect a reference article pertaining to the aforementioned two paragraphs. It follows.
Anyway, getting back to this newsletter theme I am beholden to some contemporary characters for a genuine bolstering of my Outsiderism To The Fore! claim. For instance, Barry Gibb in his 77th birthday press conference on 13 June in the year 2023 admitted openly that he is and always was an Outsider. And, 2024 American presidential campaigner, Robert F Kennedy Jnr, is patently a rank Outsider in the race whilst Speccie Columnist, Freddy Gray, labels would-be President again – Donald Trump – an Outsider [ref: 4 May, 2024 article headed: ‘THE KINGMAKER’]. Now, Sam Newman with his ‘YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS’ radio podcasts is out ‘n’ our proud he is recognised as an Outsider these days and who would forget the pleasure Elizabeth David used to get from being a recognised deliverer (as an Outsider ahead of her time) of joyful & sensual Mediterranean food? Oh, the more I get into this topic the more I am gratified. Hey! Greg Jenner in his 2020 book ‘DEAD FAMOUS’ admits – on page 214 – to being an Outsider as a ‘Celebrity Critic’. David Pearl writing in The Speccie of 17 February last described the comparatively new Argentinian President, Javier Mieli, as an “articulate, eccentric and utterly fearless Outsider” alluding to his startling performance at the 18 January last Davos World Economic Forum. Pearl’s estimation of Mieli augmented a little while beforehand – on 9 December 2023, indeed – when Speccie journalist Rebecca Weisser quoted the man himself as being an “Outsider’s Outsider”. Elsewise, Robyn Davidson in her 2023 tome ‘UNFINISHED WOMAN’ admits in two places no less – pages 68 and 204 – that she is an Outsider in a remarkably frank overall narrative. Not to be outdone, Billy Connolly in his 2023 sequel autobiography ‘RAMBLING MAN’ admits, early on in the piece, that he (feels like) an Outsider. Ooh-Wee! Not to be outdone, David Marr in an interview with Fitzy on 12 May last in the Sun-Herald prior to taking over the reins of Phillip Adams’s Late Night Live ABC Radio National program owned up thus: “I’ve been embarrassing my family all my life as the Insider’s Outsider”. Furthermore, in the 22 June edition of the Speccie this year not one but two of the periodical’s regular columnists – Neil Brown & Toby Young – freely admit to being Outsiders. Actually, Outsiderism, as a discernible concept, has it’s roots going back to 1917 in the Soviet Union when, as UK book reviewer, Charlotte Hobson, points out, an “Outsider Artists” group was formed to further the cause of Bolshevism as ‘Futurists’. I could go on & on but surely I have made my point…It’s IN to be an Outsider, in 2024 or this day & age, huh?!
By the way…Outsiders are not necessarily Outliers!
In moving on to my usual, respectful PASSING PARADE segment I believe I must give some reasons why the number of Listees is approximately the same as last year. Weighty! Well, there’s been quite a number of literal deaths but also a fairly large number of droppers-out – people who have lost interest in the Cause/Quest of Oz Republicanism; believe it or not some people who actually have switched sides; others who have become agnostic OR just don’t have the spare money to either donate OR pay dues OR buy product e.g. Premium Republican-branded wine. Then, there are people who don’t advise their change of address when they move. One does “fall out” with people who have become friends of long-standing over time…’tis sad but true. Of course, there is a contingent of former compatriots who have not previously been acknowledged. And, as I have been progressing with the ‘ENMESHMENT’ project, I have been reminded of the good and great companionable times I have known since time immemorial. The most insidious departees, though, are ones like the prominent broadcaster [I won’t disclose his name] who signed on as a Party Gold Member – conscientiously, 3 years ago – who opted out on the grounds that he’s prepared to wait until the Albo gummint’s second term – when the Labor party delivers the Oz Republic they promised. As IF!
For All Intents & Purposes The RPA bids an honourable farewell to those who – in their different ways – have hitherto ‘made the journey’ with The Republican Party and/or Yours Truly. Vale, graciously, to: Sarah Jones, Steve Ghosn, Eddie Van Halen, Ian Parmenter, Derek Ziman, Jimmy Buffett, Ted Davis, Mike Pepperday, Kevin Forward, Ian Blair, Ian McCausland, Judith Stirk, Ted Karasek, Bryan Lobascher, Joyce Phillips, Andrew Cole, David Throsby, Mira Carney, Jack Glazenburg, Marc Phillips, Denise De Vreeze, Bill Hayden, John “Booka” Hyland, Glenn Perram, Costa Georgiadis, Robert Parisi, Greg Blaxell, Fred Carter, Margie Joyce, Andrew Mulligan, Johnny Warren (“Captain Socceroo” Mark 1), John Tanti, Trevor Barker, Miles Harris, Rees Pearce, Marcus Anderson, Pam Tomlinson, Brian Buckley Clare, Dave (“Hughesy”) Hughes, Denny & Clare Burgess, Patrick Quinlan, Julie Chenery, Murray Gough, Lois O’Donoghue, Mark Hanson, Stan Stokes, George Winterton, Geoffrey Dutton, Bryce Courtenay, Michael Mosley, Graham (“Syd”) & Cathy Cassidy, Colin & Helen Morris, Frank Ifield, Stan Donney, Norm Saville, Joy + Peter & Sandra Bates and Leigh McLeod Russell.
The Party selected Geoffrey Dutton [In Memoriam] as Republican of the Year 2024. The run-down in the frontispiece to Dutton’s fabulous 1980 first-published book: ‘PATTERNS of AUSTRALIA’ suffice to give the overall ‘flavour’ of the man and his contribution to Australian [REPUBLICAN] culture. But this extraordinary patriot – at enormous expense to himself – edited a very compact (Sun) book in 1977 in the period post-11 November 1975 Whitlam Labor Government Dismissal with the title ‘REPUBLICAN AUSTRALIA?’ (Yep, with a question mark!) In this 215 page tome several well-respected Oz Republicans and Monarchical Constitutionalists of the times had their views featured…Jim McClelland, for example, in his contributing chapter headed ‘REPUBLICAN AUSTRALIA – A LABOR VIEW’ gave of the prophetic view that “in 1975 Australia, for all practical purposes, was already a Republic”. It just might be that the current Australians for Constitutional Monarchy CEO, David Flint, swooped onto this and similar statements and began his specious but continuing fake claim (that) Australia is/was already a ‘Crowned Republic’! Worrisome!!But Donald Horne, in his chapter headed ‘A CASE FOR A REPUBLIC’, alleged that Australia “was already a de facto republic”. Then, Colin Howard in his chapter headed ‘LEGAL & CONSTITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS’ stated that Australia ”is and for a long time (for practical purposes) has been a republic in all but name”. Lastly, Ronald Conway in his chapter’ headed ‘THE PROBLEM OF LEADERSHIP IN AUSTRALIA…MEASURES OR MEN?’ ventured the opinion that Australia “is already half-republican in (this) uncomfortable way” Hmmm?
The Party has a spare copy of Dutton’s fabulous book in mint condition and The Party will raffle same at the Hurstbridge, 3099 Wattle Festival on Sunday, 25 August which will be RPA Community Street Meeting #790 [see the basics of the colourful jacket sleeve herein].
The Diary Line for Wattle Day Newsletter #19 commenced on 1 June, 2023 and ended on 30 June, 2024…aha…a convoluted 13 month period, thus:
On 3 June Victorian Stae Chapter Convenor, Colin Stephens, commenced with The Party’s Social Media campaign;
On 18 July I liaised with the MC of the 22nd instant gig, Paul Tully, regarding the program for the event in question;
On 21 July I dropped off to Joyce Phillips at her Deagon 4017 home her Life Membership gold-framed Gong;
On 22 July in the morning I pow-wowed with RRA Executive Member, Lindsay Marshall, in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Paddington 4064;
Same night, same salubrious suburb, The Party hosted a banquet at the Nota Chef’s Feast Restaurant for 2023 Republican of the Year Winner of the Gong, Benjamin T Jones, the esteemed author of ‘THIS TIME: AUSTRALIA’S REPUBLICAN PAST & FUTURE’ Bible;
On 1 September at the newly refurbished Parradisiac Restaurant, Oatlands 2117, The Party held its 18th Annual Wattle Day Luncheon where the recognised “Preference Whisperer” of Australian Politics, Glenn Druery, gave a most stimulating talk to the Gathering on the theme of ‘THE MORAL IDEAL of AUSTRALIAN MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY’. What’s more, he discharged himself from hospital on the morning of the day so as not to let the Gathering down which was most courageous of him…probably a bit Gung-Ho as well;
On 2 September my Bride, Jennifer, wrote her little Toyota car off completely whilst nearly killing herself ferrying friends around in unfamiliar territory at Penrith Lakes, 2750. ‘Very much the negligent driver who was lucky to only incur a broken collarbone, severe concussion and a short stay in ‘horsepiddle’. The unfortunate smash prompted a practical decision that we become a one-car household going forward which will doubtless cause difficulties over time.
On 3 September I made it to 80 years of age – officially…Jen treated me to a tremendous luncheon at the Sous Le Soleil French Restaurant, Roseville, 2069;
On the night of 14 September I held my 80th Birthday Bash in the Oasis Room of the Hillside Hotel in my home suburb of Castle Hill, 2154. This was a rollicking occasion when 32 Invitees turned up to celebrate with me. I sang 2 sets of 4 standard-type songs with the backing of my long-term muso Mate[guitar & keyboard], Jim Kane, whom I had rehearsed a lot of my old repertoire with nearly all day way back on 19 August at his Minto Heights, 2566 pad;
On 19 September I requested retirement as a Justice of the Peace (of some 40 years duration) to the NSW Department of Justice;
On 26 September I thought up the fitting word to describe my way of discriminating = ‘Choosism’. Hey, I’m a Choosist as an Outsider. Like, really! I should note for posterity that I also toyed with the possible efficacy of ‘Reschedule’ and the attendant ‘Reschedulism’.
On 30 September I decided that the Outsiderism theme for Wattle Day Newsletter #19 would be de rigueur. Coincidence, Big Time!
Also, but of much greater significance on the last day of September, was my AFL team, Collingwood Magpies’ magnificent Grand Final win over the Brisbane Lions. It was a record-equalling 16th Premiership since their inception in 1892. An absolutely thrilling experience which I won’t ever forget.*On 3rd September 2024 I will have chalked up 60 continuous/consecutive years Membership of The Pies. This is something I reveal with pride. 60 Freaking Years!
On 4 October my Sister-in-Law, Marion, accredited me with the nickname: Mr Persistence which I thought was quite honourable;
On 5 October Jennifer and I celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary at the top flight Wild Pear restaurant at Middle Dural 2158;
On 7 October I filled in my Postal Ballot apropos the so-called ‘VOICE Referendum’ and posted same away to the AEC. I voted in the rectangular space provided on my pre-poll ballot paper as follows: “NO CHOICE, I AM NEUTRAL”; Thus, I neither advocated ‘FOR’ or ‘AGAINST’ nor a vote either way for ‘YES’ or ‘NO’;
On 9 October in the afternoon I attended the 24th Australians for Constitutional Monarchy annual national conference at the NSW Parliament House Theatrette at CEO of the ACM, David Flint’s, obliging invitation. ‘Gotta keep UP with the goings-on in the Oz Monarchists’ camp, eh?
On 14 October there was the resounding 60:40 Majority ‘NO’ vote in the ‘VOICE’ referendum – closer to 61:39 actually!
On 16 October I participated in the first (of 2) ‘HISTORY of The RPA’ recording sessions with Miles Harris at Party Headquarters;
On 29 October I participated in the second of the ‘HISTORY of The RPA’ recording sessions with Harris;
By 3 November I had distributed 80 of the Ben Jones’s “bible”. Proud to do so, too;
A major milestone arrived at on 11 November viz: the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of the REPUBLICAN WINE CLUB on 11 November, 1993 – these day the primary revenue stream of The Party…Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!
On 27 November: End of the 7th series of ‘THE CROWN’;
9 December I “caught” the Glenn Shorrock’s ‘IT’S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP’ Anniversary Concert at the State Theatre in CBD Sydney; Fond Memories, Hey!
On 26 December I finished reading Gary Johns’s important 2022 book which took me forever to obtain a copy of viz.’THE BURDEN of CULTURE: HOW TO DISMANTLE THE ABORIGINAL INDUSTRY & GIVE HOPE TO ITS VICTIMS’… immediately following which I wrote to Johns per his publisher taking issue with him for completely omitting the ’ATSIC Debacle’;
Over 30-31 December, amongst other things, I “took stock” on the year just-concluded and decided that I could NOT, indeed should NOT proceed with the much-mooted revived Consoulers so-called Song-Set project. On 2 July during the past (2023) year I listed no less than 19 ailments and told myself that I must stop having serious falls counting 15 in all – from February to year’s end;
Into 2024…
6 February: our monarch King Charles 3rd was announced as having been diagnosed with cancer which, one would reckon, does not augur well for his longevity, non?
From 16-24 April the “preps” for the 2024 Wattle Day Newsletter #19 completed + 675 envelopes for mailing to Subscribers;
From 8 – 28 May Jen & I went away on our long-term planned adventure to the Deep North West of WA .’Gotta give a special mention regarding our Outback Spirit Leaders – the married couple Bryce Taylor & Jessica Kruse-Malle;
*Whilst in WA I learned – on 21 May – that there was Co-Chair disharmony in the senior ranks of the Australian Republic Movement caused by the resignation of Nova Peris as a result of a ‘fallout’ with Craig Foster. ‘Most untimely although a fresh election of the ‘powers-to-be’ at the ARM apparently will be held in July next [i.e. July 2024]. Good-Oh!
On 1 June The Party held its 36th Annual Convention at the Archer Resort, Nowra, 2541…a ‘broad brush’ was brought to the General Platform of The RPA and, in due course, the entire re-formatting exercise will be logged onto an updated Party website;
9 June Princess Anne (the Princess Royal) was interviewed on the Canadian Broadcasting news program ‘The National’ by Adrienne Arsenault and quizzed about her (i.e. Anne) take on how her brother Chukka was reigning now that he’s the Dominion monarch in his own right. Interesting, to say the least!
15 June made stall arrangement at the annual Wattle Festival to be held in Hurstbridge, 3099 on Sunday, 25 August next with the Festival’s Convenor Carol Jenkinson. This event should see The Party ‘chalk up’ a Grand Total of 980 such community-orientated street stalls. Woo-Hoo!
29 June: our male ginger tabby cat, Meggsie, got hit by a local bikerider on the verge outside our Castle Hill 2154 home which necessitated Jen & I taking him to the local vet for treatment. Fortunately he has survived and has therefore lived yet another day. Wonderful! Y’knw, it is said that cats have 9 lives, hmmm?
