The Bribie Islander

I’M BEGINNING TO PONDER (SERIOUSLY) WHETHER – OR TO WHAT EXTENT – ALL THE COMMUNITY DRUG-TAKING WE HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT THESE DAYS HAS STARTED TO ADDLE OUR BRAINS, AS A SOCIETY, TO INFLUENCE SOME OF THE CRAZY SOCIAL AND LIFESTYLE TRENDS EMERGING TODAY.

Are those dreadful “baby boomers”(which includes my generation of today’s “oldies”) to blame for some of the nutcase causes hitting our airwaves, social media, and other areas of community “enlightenment” today?

In indulging (we are told!) in an unprecedented era of too much “free” sex ,drugs and rock-and-roll , did we (the baby boomers) start the slide in community standards and values since the halcyon 1960’s ,70s and 80s? I have to admit that I was a bit of a rock-and-roll raver (in my time, in those days)…..but the “free” sex and drugs bit? I must have been too busy earning a quid (or a “buck”) and raising a family to indulge in (or now recall) any of that.

Some of the changes and/or trends being advocated today by trendy history denialists, the PC (“political correctness”) brigade, and the wacky advocates of “woke”, come into the category of unfathomable anathemas to most of my generation, I believe.

Most of us simply can’t figure out (or understand) where these people are coming from with their wildcat efforts to turn society’s long-standing (and long proven) standards and values on our collective heads. Has all the drugindulgence taken over, to addle our collective thought processes?

I have a number of family members and friends (car cranks) who would think I was ready for the funny farm if I suggested that they tip a kilo of sugar into their petrol tanks to “smarten up” their prized vehicles. But so many Australians today (males and females, and of all age groups) seem to have no qualms about injecting potentially lethal doses of soul-destroying illicit drugs into their bodies, 24/7, to achieve some sort of “hit” they don’t seem able to achieve, otherwise. What does that say about the sort of society we are becoming?

The latest unfathomable pearl of wisdom to come from “Wokeville” (in this case, Canberra) suggests that we should no longer regard our Mothers as “Mum” but as our “gestational parent”. And our fathers? Dad should be called our “non-birthing parent”, we are told.

These “pearls” come from august and elite academics in our Canberra-based Australian National University, raising a number of questions……not the least being ,“are people of this ilk the ones from whom our national governments ,and leaders, are getting their advice and guidance on national issues, daily?”. If so, God help us!

But this could at least explain some of the wacky decisions coming out of our national capital, regularly, over the years…..regardless of who’s holding the reins (or whichever party is in power!).

I can recall an old Queensland MP of the 1950s and 60s telling Parliament, often, that public servants, academic “experts” and advisers should be kept “on tap…not on top”. Judging by the crazy A.N.U. edict on our much-loved Mums and Dads, I believe that most Aussies, across all age groups, would agree with that genuine “pearl of wisdom”.

I can’t see the ridiculous ANU proposition getting off the ground, and our current crop of MPs and other decision-makers in Wokeville….oops, Canberra…. should do everything in their power to ensure it doesn’t.

MEMBERS OF THE FORMER WOMEN’S ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARMY CORPS GATHERED TOGETHER AT GEEBUNG RSL SATURDAY 20TH FEBRUARY TO CELEBRATE THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CORPS.

Despite the absorption of servicewomen into the mainstream other Corps in 1985 and its subsequent disbandment in keeping with new Govt policies; the old traditions, long remembered stories, continued practical jokes, and friendships were reminisced and renewed.//With the close proximity of International Women’s’ Day, a highlight of the luncheon was our guest speaker, Queensland Commissioner of Police, Katerina Carroll, APM. We were delighted to meet a most approachable and articulate woman with compassionate concerns for the crime issues in our state. It was interesting to ask questions about her earlier life; her development of a strong work ethic from childhood, and her continued quest for learning.
We had a most enjoyable day. For the Bribie girls a mellow, contemplative and subdued ride home in the bus, thanks to Sandy ZJ and the RSL Sub Branch.

A reminder to Current members and Ex Service Women; you are invited to join us at the RSL every Fourth Monday of the month for Laughter and Lunch. Any queries Joie 0404399493

THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY THEME IS ‘CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE’. I’D LIKE TO CHALLENGE YOU, DEAR READER TO REVISIT THE ‘F’ WORD TODAY. YES, I’M TALKING ABOUT FEMINISM.

How many times have you heard – maybe you’ve said it yourself – I’m not a feminist but … I believe in equality? I’m not a feminist but … I think women should have the same opportunities as men … etc.? Maybe the term ‘feminist’ makes you feel uncomfortable. Then again, some folks enthusiastically claim it. Black American writer and civil rights activist Maya Angelou says, “I am a feminist. I’ve been female for a long time now. I’d be stupid not to be on my own side.”

But being a feminist isn’t the exclusive domain of women. The dictionary says feminism is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. Feminism espouses the idea of all women having choices – of careers, over their bodies, over money, and if and who they marry. So I guess anyone who believes those things is a feminist, right?

Interestingly there’s a whole bunch of young women out there who identify with a ‘movement’ called ‘Women against feminism’. I find this puzzling and kind of insulting as a woman who remembers the time BEFORE women had the rights we all enjoy now, like voting, or getting a loan or a mortgage.

One young woman on the antifeminism Facebook page (I’ll call her Fran) opines: ‘I do not need feminism because:

1. I RESPECT MEN.
(Feminism doesn’t disrespect men. Feminists love men. Feminists enjoy having sex with men and we even have babies with them. I agree with you, fran! Let’s hear it for men!)

2. BEING A WOMAN IS NOT A DISADVANTAGE.
(In a perfect world and in some societies that’s true. But tell that to a woman who wants to walk home late at night through a park after her Pilates class; or to a young girl in Syria who is married off at twelve to a man old enough to be her father. That said, feminists celebrate our womanhood. Fran – are you sure you’re not a feminist?)

3. I’VE GOT MY OWN OPINION.
(Fran … um … what on earth does this have to do with being a feminist?)

4. I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MYSELF AND MY DECISIONS.
(Sorry Fran. You mean you choose? Oh, dear, you’re sounding dangerously like a feminist).

5. I DON’T FEEL LIKE A VICTIM.
(Good for you fran. And have you thought about all the battles won by the women who came before you? These victories have made the world a better place for young women like you, precisely so you don’t feel like a victim.)

6. THE FEMINIST MOVEMENT IS FULL OF SH*T.’
(Now Fran – you’ve gone too far. I want you to hand over your credit card and your pay check. And your right to vote. Oh and I’ll have those contraceptive pills too. And your degree … the one you got from QUT because you went to school.) Just a hundred years ago, British women weren’t eligible to vote and they and their children were considered the property of their husbands. No education for these women. Unskilled work and more hard yakka at home.

Feminism is all about choice. Be grateful you have it. Feminism allows us all to choose to challenge and have the life we want. Feminism is also about political, social and economic equality. So to those of you who still aren’t sure about the ‘f’ word, consider this: If you enjoy aspects of equality it’s because of feminism and the work of the women who fought for it. I’m sure some people still believe feminists look and sound a certain way. So it may surprise you to know that that country singer Dolly Parton happily embraces feminism. She chose to challenge the stereotypes in a male-dominated industry and became hugely successful in her own right.

So when I’m thinking about the challenges of being a woman I channel Dolly’s wisdom. Most of her ideas are about choice and challenge. Here are a few:

1. I’m very secure about my talents and about who I am.

2. You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.

3. There are certainly a lot of things that still need to change when it comes to women in the workforce.

4. I dress to be comfortable for me, and you shouldn’t be blamed because you want to look pretty. If I can get my dress on, my weight is under control.

5. I know who I am, I know what I can and can’t do. I know what I will and won’t do. I know what I’m capable of and I don’t agree to do things that I don’t think I can pull off.

6. I think that I’m perfect. Both men and women can choose to rise to the many challenges of modern life. I think this anonymous quote says it all: ‘Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.’