Hamarana

“Keeping the bastards honest” is a phrase which I think everyone is probably aware of. I know I have treasured Don Chipp’s words ever since I heard him speak in Sydney, many, many years ago. Time, and change, meant that the Dems lost their way: they fell from favour in the electorate and were seen as a nothing party. I confess that when Natasha Stott Despoja left politics, my faith in the Dems capacity to keep the bastards honest was savagely shaken.

The thing is, the Dems can only do what we, the electorate, let them do. And the electorate let them down.

So, here we are some time down the track and they have, like the proverbial Phoenix, risen from their own ashes. It seems there’s a new team (as well as some of the older members) and they have made membership much more accessible to everyone… only $25 p.a. for full membership. Its a good deal if you ever thought you might get involved.

They/we (yes, I have joined again) have forums, a facebook group, and probably a lot more I haven’t yet discovered. They have become more accessible than any other political party I am aware of, and are very keen to hear ideas and comment on policy from the membership. So the forums are a fantastic thing if you cannot get to meetings (which are mostly held in the capitals)

Seriously: if you are as totally fed up with the antics of the Aussie federal and state governments, and you wish you could make a difference… don’t just think about it: DO IT NOW!

Important Dem Links
Join the Dems on the secure webpage
Get Involved in activities
Join the New Dems website to access forums (anyone can do this, but you need to specify whether you are friend, foe or member – see, they are very inclusive)
NoInternetCensorship
Bastardwatch
Dems facebook page

Its worthwhile…

The shot above is one I am quite proud of. I was out with my friend Gary in Brooklyn, and we went to an area where there were a few people picnicking, but generally there wasn’t much to disturb the local wildlife. The little mynah came down and landed in a young tree quite close to where we were standing, and placed itself conveniently close for a shot. I still had to zoom to 300mm, but it was an excellent result.

A larger version can be seen on my Redbubble site

It has also been accepted to the Pentax Gallery, along with another I expected would be rejected.