I have a friend, a dear friend, and we've been friends for well over twenty years. She has been coming over almost weekly for almost that long, and in the early days, me being determined to be the perfect host would always pop the kettle on to give her a cuppa as soon as she came around. This went on for a while, and one night I noticed her pouring her cold cup of tea in the sink. I said I was sorry, that I didn't realise we were talking so much that she didn't get to drink her tea, and that I'd make her another one - all while I was putting the kettle on and getting things ready. She said "no - it's OK", but I went ahead anyway, because I wanted her to feel welcomed. As I picked up the milk to add it to her cup, she put her hand over it and said "I don't take milk." I looked at her and said "What? I always give you milk." She then said she was allergic to milk and it made her ill.

So, in my haste to give her what I thought she wanted, I was giving her what she didn't need. That it was the opposite of what she needed. She had told me, several times, but I didn't hear or listen. So I did what I always did when I had to remember something important - I put a large note on the fridge which read "Don't give 'Rosie' milk - it makes her sick."

Now anyone who has known me for a while, knows that I have a terrible memory, and putting notes on the fridge was a great way for me to remember important things - like #2 son had to do the dishes for a couple of weeks for whingeing, and #1 son had to do them because he was giving #2 son grief in the first place, and #3 son (toddler) had to stop kicking #2 son when he was lying on the floor.

If I didn't put the note there, I would forget and go back to doing the same stuff over and over again, and nobody won. If one of those notes were on the fridge - no-one was allowed to take it off. If the kids tried, they would be in worse trouble - and the Man of the House knew I was dinkum, and he’d better not mess with it either. It was law.

See the parallels? If we don't enshrine the Voice and listen, we'll keep doing what we've always done, because it's easy to forget what works, and a new government will just overturn it easily anyhow.

So if you want all those horror stories about how bad things are on the lands to continue - keep voting no - and you'll get what you want, but First Nations peoples will never get what they need.

The story about the milk is true - and friends will know who I'm talking about. She's a great friend and I've never seen her get angry.

I truly can’t get my head around all that’s happening and sometimes I feel like I’m living in an alternate universe.

Some things about COVID-19 are really stuffing up businesses, jobs and how we get on day to day, but sometimes I think people are using it as an excuse to act badly, or not act at all. For a few minutes of positive reaction, it seems some people are willing to do anything.

Promises have been made, but there are big ones that don’t seem to have been followed through. So many of those affected by the fires are still waiting for claims to be assessed and buildings to be approved. There are great people out there still providing support, and some wonderful initiatives have occurred, but there is still a long way to go.

We are apparently living in a time when although so many need succour and support, others display the most dreadful acts of selfishness and stupidity. It is often said that the culture of a place is influenced from the top, and I believe that. The next month can’t come soon enough as the horrible and cruel words and deeds from across the world seep through so many other places, and people adopt this aberrant behaviour because it suits them now. When we look back on these times, what will we remember? That people pull together - because that really is human nature - not this terrible stuff playing out on TV and social media.

And back at home deals are being done. Rebekha Sharkie and her offsider have added their vote to the coalition’s and many of those degrees under the ‘Humanities’ banner have had their fees increased dramatically, whilst those subjects that fall under STEM (Science, Technology & Mathematics) have had their fees cut. So, many people can’t see the problem, but think on it.

The dictionary definition of ‘Humanities’ - One of the main branches of learning. A scholar of the humanities studies history, literature, the fine arts, and philosophy. Or Wikipedia - academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture. ... The humanities include the study of ancient and modern languages, literature, philosophy, history, archaeology, anthropology, human geography, law, politics, religion, and art.

Those finer things that make us ‘different’, that define us as living, thinking creatures. Search online for those courses covered under ‘Humanities’ and you might be surprised at just how wide they reach.

But of course, these ‘arrangements’ can’t be seen in isolation, and even though things are denied in the media, a cursory glance at the local paper will see initiatives that are suddenly given the green light. One in particular is the most asked question in our little town (apart from “when will my road be graded?” in winter!), and that is “When will the Amy Gillett be finished?” The news was released this week in a media release from the Adelaide Hills Council. (see attached)

I think this is a great thing, and fervently hope that the leg from the edge of the Adelaide Hills Council to Mt Pleasant will follow shortly. It is a paltry amount, and important to those in the hills, but was delivered at what cost? To those who cannot afford the new fees, and the cost of the devaluing of those humanities subjects, we can only wait for the fallout.

Just remember, that many of those making the decisions for our country were the beneficiaries of the largely ‘free’ education in the 70’s and 80’s.

AHC media release