I sit here with "Morangi" in hand as I write. Well it is my birthday. It was Kim's 50th on 26th and her "DO" for that is tomorrow at the Country Club up the road. It is organised (I hope) Band, DJ, Catering and Atmosphere. Well, you would expect that at the Belair Country Club wouldn't you? We were married there and it is a very nice venue in the National Park and golf course. The room we have looks up the first fairway. It will be dark of course so the fairway will (so to speak) be a darkway! It promises to be a great night.

Back to the mundane.

We had our South Oz Budget at the beginning of the month. Despite record revenues, very little for Tom Citizen. Business payroll tax cut (insiginificantly). Schools and education budgets cut (this is mind you an education powered government). In simple language --- No new taxes. Just imposts or levies ah! The beauty of the English language!!! As an aside. The Treasurer (Chancellor) walked out of the Budgets Estimates hearings after calling the Opposition Leader a liar rather than debate the budget!! Such is politics here in South Australia!!. We are promised a new, brand spanking new hospital in the budget. Unfortunately this will give us 400+ less beds than we have now (based on the closure etc. of the current Royal Adelaide and other beds!!). This despite the "waiting lists' expanding. Sound familiar?

While talking health it should be mentioned that Nurses, Dentists, Psychiatrists and Ambulance Officers in the Public Sector are negotiating pay rises. Nurses ask for 14% over 2 years. No, is the answer, you can have 10 and 1/2 over 3 years. Not to mentiona all the other claims made. This may surprise you. Politicians have just been awarde a 6.7% increase for each of the next 2 years. Just like that (to paraphrase Tommy Cooper!)!! You see they (politicians) set up a tribunal do decide for them. They now say 'It wasn't us' 'They gave it to us' 'We didn't ask for it'. We have stressful and difficult jobs with long hours and onerous responsiblities, so we deserve a pay increase! Recognise a Nurse or a Doctor/Dentist or Ambulance Officer in that job description!!. More to follow on Industrial matters.

Britian, in the last few days of June, has been hit by natural disaster -- floods-people have died as a result. The same holds true here in OZ a family of 4 swept away and drowned in New South Wales when a road collapsed. Children aged 5 and under and a 9 year old nephew. Just in the wrong place at wrong time. We have had a train disaster in Victoria, a semi-trailer (artic to to you) hit a train on a crossing, 11 dead including a nurse and her 2 daughters. Daughters under 9 years of age. Mother had succesfulluy recovered from a brain tumour, in all cases-----There but for!!!!!!

There are, as I write, more floods in south east Victoria. A 40,000 tonne ship is being ungrounded (is that a word?) just outside Newcastle, New South Wales. More rain to follow!

On a more pleasant note. I mentioned last month that I have changed jobs.What I did not mention was the scenic joy I regained going to work. I now drive down the Hills Face with a 270 degree view of Adelaide, it's environs and lights, Adelaide is flat, built on a coastal plain between the Sea and the Hills. I live in the Hills and have to drive down their face to get to work it is quite simply magnificent and uplifting each night. The lights are marvellous. Mind you it is a good view during daylight hours as well. The drive in large parts has hill on one side and pretty sheer drop on 'tother! Care is needed!

On the sporting front both the Crows' and Power won their last games. Both are still in contention. In soccer Australia starts its first adventure in the Asian Cup. Despite this they are among the favourites. We shall see.

On that.

Until next time, Eric

(article by Eric Ford, Australia)