As we leave August here in South Australia we also leave winter. It is now officially Spring. Thank goodness. The nights are getting longer---although not by much! It is a start though to anticipation of Summer. To add to that it has just been announced that Daylight saving will be extended. It will now start on October 5 and run until April, an extension of a month. This will bring us into line with the Eastern States. It will also bring howls from those opposed to it. Cries such as “the extra sunshine will ruin my curtains”, “ How will the cows know when milking time is?”. Even after all these years of daylight saving in Australia there are still many opposed to it! Many also are confused and find difficulty with the time differences between the States. The USA seems to manage fine with far greater differences in times, as does Europe and Asia. Shouldn’t really be a problem here, it just seems to come up year after year.

Our weather has been, shall we say, more damp in August .20mm more rain than our average for the month. However, over winter we are 35mm less, so no advantage. The farmers are happier though as the rain has come at a good time for them.

Unfortunately, we do not seem to be making progress on the problem of the River Murray and its flows. It is actually the problem of the Murray/Darling catchment system. Too much water is taken out at the top end so to speak. In fact, Queensland irrigators have taken a record amount this past year, while the bottom end “starves”. The Federal Government has just announced a new body to investigate and advise—no South Australians on it, but we are the ones most adversely affected.

There is a “buyback program” in place by the Federal Government. They will “buyback” stations and water allocations to assist the flow! One town in New South Wales has said, "Alright, buy us!" They only want $3.5 billion. Seems reasonable? Well the total “buyback” budget is only $3.1 billion!!! We will watch events closely.

It has also been the coldest August for 35 years! As I said, roll on Spring.

Remember the election we had? November of last year, in case you had forgotten just when. The new session of Parliament commenced last week. Basically new Senators who were elected then have just now taken their seats!. Don’t think they got paid until 1st. July but does seem extraordinary doesn’t it? The Senate has fixed terms you see. So.even if you lost your seat in November, you stayed a Senator until June 30th!

The "Coalition" has a simple majority as a party but minor parties and Independants will hold the balance of power. The Government will need their votes to get it’s legislation through. There has already been “hiccups” to its Budget being passed. The best known and probably most effective Independant in South Australia is Nick Xenophon. He will strike hard bargains for South Australia and for the Murray. It will be interesting to watch.

We have had a reasonably quiet month socially. In the middle of the month I went off to the Troubadour Music weekend at Campaspe Downs in Victoria. It was a very good weekend both musically and socially. Catching up with friends and should I say the odd convivial ale or three is always nice. Kim stayed at home and lunched with the "girls" etc. Lauren-Jane spent it at the stables as usual. Kim and I are stable "widow and widower" most weekends. I had an interesting chat with a couple of South Australians about speed on my return trip. Fortunately, I wasn’t that much over the limit (speed that is) and they were in a good mood. So only a warning. It was heeded!

This coming month we have at least one special birthday and a wedding so a bit busier on the social front.

September brings Football finals time. A month of fever pitch excitement to Australia. The Crow’s finished the minor round 5th. They were pipped at the post for 4th which would have given them a double chance of progressing (could have lost their 1st final and still gone on) St. Kilda, the team that pipped them needed to win by at least 85 points in their last game. Ha Ha! We thought no way will they win by 85. We were right they didn’t, they won by 108. Still we do have a home final so should progress. Port Power thrashed their opposition in their last game That paved the way for the Crows’ to finish 4th. It wasn’t to be. Power had their poorest season so far, finishing 13th out of 16. There’s always next season.

Adelaide United have just started their season, well they are 3 games in. Won 2 drawn 1 sitting 3rd on goal difference. They also have the Asian Champion’s League quarter final this month. Busy times for them

Scott, my son, came home on the weekend from his 6 weeks in the UK with Tracey his sister. He had a really good time. He is however, very Australian. In a polite way he said "really nice place to visit, but couldn’t live there!" He visited Paris, Rome and Dublin also. It is nice to have him home. Lauren-Jane almost broke him in half at the airport! Think that they were both quite pleased to see each other!. He did the right thing by Dad though, brought me a very nice bottle of the “Morangie”!

On that Cheere and Slainthe!

Until next time

Eric

(article by Eric Ford, Australia)