A Chrstmas Aspiration for the 3H's

A Christmas Aspiration for Happiness, Health & Harmony

When did money become the goal and not a vehicle to obtain a goal?

‘Show me the money’, ‘Follow the money’, ‘I want more money’; long forgotten it seems that money is supposedly the root of all evil.  It now appears to be an aspiration itself; not what it can buy.  Why do we now pursue the ‘almighty dollar’ and not the benefits it is supposed to be able to provide? 

Happiness, health and harmony are listed again and again amongst the most popular aspirations for people.  As the richest generation ever to live on earth are we now concurring that money can’t buy happiness, - health or harmony.  That amassing money is the next best option.

I recall reading a book within which a fisherman who lived simply by the beach with his family was mentioned. He only fished for his family and friends needs.  Each afternoon he would be home enjoying the company of his family and friends.  He was asked why not buy a fleet of boats, employ workers, export your product, float a company to get the capital required and make a lot of money.  The fisherman asked, ‘what will I do with all the money?’  “You could retire, live by the sea, fish when you want to fish and enjoy the company of your family and friends’ was the reply.

In the season of goodwill, I hope we all get the chance to stop for a moment and reflect on what is happening in our lives.  Central Queensland is rushing into a massive resource boom.  However in this ‘rush’ to make money, what are we sacrificing? A fly in fly out workforce that separates workers from their families for up to 21 days at a time; a harbour we no longer care to eat the fish from; a water supply we have concerns about drinking from; irreparable damage to valuable farming land and the water below it; increases in housing rental prices forcing long time residents to leave towns, replaced by a mobile workforce. 

In this column I have listed a number of aspirations for Central Queensland.  A high speed train linking the cities of Rockhampton and Gladstone; a wave pool for Yeppoon foreshore; a reality website TV show for Mount Morgan; the early rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) etc, as I believe that decentralisation is essential in providing for a better future for all Australians.  By providing this type of infrastructure Central Queensland can be a more attractive destination for people to live, work and play in.  We need to assess what kind of future do we want for this region and for our country.  A short term fix may deliver bigger problems in the future; environmental and social.  Pause, take a breath and lets again place happiness, health and harmony as our main aspirations, not money.  May the decisions made during this boom reflect on the3 H’s and not the almighty dollar. 

Happy Christmas, I do hope you get to spend it with family and friends.  Remember the future is not to see, it is to create.

P.S.  Central Queensland lost one of its champions this month with the passing of Lloyd Willie.  As Robert Louis Stevenson said, “the man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earths beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had”.  Lloyd Willie was a success, which I’m sure will be appreciated even more in time.

A Dr. Suess Prescription for Rockhampton

Can Rockhampton take Some Medicine from Dr Seuss?

“This year the school had seven Australian representatives………”; this is no aspiration for a future speech night at one of Rockhampton’s high schools.  This was said last week at North Rockhampton State High Schools Presentation Night.  Similar comments were no doubt echoed by other high schools throughout the region.  Approximately 1000 former students within our region are about to embark on the next stage of their life journey, taking the career path, hopefully all optimistic about making their mark.  However many will leave our region to do this.  Which in one way is a shame, but as champions of Rockhampton they will each play a part in building a perception of the Rockhampton Region in the cities and companies in which they’ll study and work.

A couple of weeks ago I questioned the perception ‘Beef Capital of Australia’ was creating with people outside the region of Rockhampton.  As an alternative slogan I suggested “Home of Australia’s Future Champions” could be a more positive perception creator.  North Rockhampton High School’s speech night reinforced my thoughts.  For an aspiration to be realised it’s important to identify the foundations that already exist, and build upon them.  Rockhampton does produce champions; we’ve just produced another one thousand.  Imagine what a deliberate plan to foster this aspiration could achieve.  Not just for the elite, after all a champion is anyone who has strived to achieve more than what others may have thought was possible.  To be Dux of the school is to be a champion, to represent Australia is to be a champion, to achieve best marks in a subject is to be a champion and to complete twelve years of education when the expectation of others was you would not go the distance, is to be a champion.

I hope these young adults continue to be champions by striving to find out how great he or she can be.  To strive beyond the expectation and be proud to say you come from Rockhampton, a region that produces champions – a champion region.  One of these champions quoted Dr Seuss in his speech to the North Rockhampton High School graduating class of 2011, “you have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who decides where to go…..”.  I think the Rockhampton Region can take something from this Seussism.  Times have changed, it’s time Rockhampton chose to steer a new direction.  A direction that builds on its current strengths and the opportunities with and around us.  What vision do you have of Rockhampton Region and how will you contribute towards its attainment?  Sadly these questions aren’t being asked or answered enough.  I hope we hear of the aspirations of the graduating classes of 2011.  Their personal aspirations, their aspirations of the region they’ll always call home and maybe how they hope to contribute towards attaining them.

In keeping with Dr Seuss, I congratulate and encourage the Grade 12’s of 2011 to continue to be champions with another of his quotes, “you’re off to great places!  Today is your day!  Your mountain is waiting, so…. Get on your way”.

Good luck and as Dr Seuss also says, “only you can control your future”.

What History Can Teach Us

Generally when faced with a problem, we (mankind) have found a solution. It seems though at the moment we are more intent on creating problems than finding solutions. There must be a huge problem, that we allocate so little to finding solutions to the extra problems being created in attempting to fix the big problem.

It’s Time we Took A History Lesson

The sun was just rising, giving the sky a bluey grey glow.  He looked across the Yeppen Lagoon at the lighted train carriages taking the Rockhampton based workers to work for the start of their shift.  This is not an aspiration for a bullet train to take Rockhampton based workers to Gladstone to start their shifts at the LNG plants.  This was 1926; the Rockhampton based workers were being transported by train to start their shift at the Mount Morgan mine.  I asked why the workers didn’t live at Mount Morgan.  “There was no where to live there Warren”, was the reply.  Here we are 85 years later with an accommodation crisis in Gladstone and we don’t have a dedicated passenger train from Rockhampton to help alleviate the problem.  Baffling to me, why this hasn’t been identified as a “significant project for the State”.  Not only back in 1916 (and beforehand) were workers being transported by train to work at Mount Morgan, special Abt Rack locomotives were imported to overcome the obstacle the Razorback with its steep incline provided.  Footage of this can be seen via a 3D presentation at the Mount Morgan Rail Museum.  How determined and innovative they must have been.  Eighty five years later our solution to meeting the labour demand appears to be fly in fly out.  Is there a lesson to be learnt here! Mount Morgan must have wished it was screaming out for long term sustainable development when it was the richest gold mine in the southern hemisphere.  Fly in fly out is not going to assist the long term sustainable development of Central Queensland.  We should look at history and learn from it, the good and not so good chapters.

A bullet train between Rockhampton and Gladstone will benefit both cities, not just during the job boom, but for the future.  Each city has complimentary strengths that need to be jointly marketed.  I also hope we hear more about a possible hovercraft transport route between Zilzie and Curtis Island.  Now’s the time to demonstrate how determined and innovative Central Queensland still is.

By the way, the person at the beginning of the column who was looking across the Yeppen Lagoon is my grandfather.  He was sixteen then and had just finished doing the Gracemere milk run by horse and cart.  He will be 102 in January.

Development in CQ, is it worth singing about

Billion dollar projects planned

Here in our Central Queensland

Plenty of jobs going about

They’ll even fly you in and fly you out

Export income is the goal

All we got to do is dig more holes

We’re told its all good news

Let’s hear your view

Is there enough infrastructure about

Does the only solution have to be fly in fly out?

If there is to be a boom

Will our kids benefit from it to???

Aspire CQ

Now’s the time to get our due

Aspire CQ

 Enough of most of it going to SEQ

Aspire CQ

C’mon lets hear your view

Aspire CQ

C’mon Canberra, you can take but how about giving it too

Long term benefits that’s got to be the goal

Not just been left with lots of holes

Lets all benefit from the boom

And remain sustainable after it too

Vibrant and innovative is what we are

Now’s the opportunity for CQ to star

(chorus)

Work, live, play

Lets’ give them no reason to fly away

Central Queensland has it all

We have to go beyond thinking small

Stop treating us as just being part of the herd

Now’s the time that our aspirations are heard

(chorus)

It’s our CQ; we’re entitled to a view

No more words and empty promises

We’re tired of being Doubting Thomases

Actions are what are needed

One’s that demonstrate our community concerns are heeded.

(chorus)

I’m no song writer, but several months ago I decided to try and write a jingle to help make aspirations for CQ a day to day issue for governments to be faced with. However like my letters to the editor, and some may think this column, the lyrics became too long. I decided to share these lyrics as the relevance of them is arguably more relevant now then several months ago. It seems this resource boom is like a snow ball rolling down a hill. Growing and increasing in size – its momentum apparently unstoppable. I’m for development. I want to see the Rockhampton region gain long term benefits from this resource boom. For too long we’ve largely missed out and become like a gap in the map. Yet there appears to be more issues than real long term benefits so far. No doubt the national economy is benefitting, ‘export income is the goal’ but what has Rockhampton region seen from it. One of the current major issues is water quality; drinking, harbour and ground water.  So is this development ‘all good news’.

This is not a pollie bashing column. I have no doubt our politicians have fought very hard to get what they have got. In our politically diminishing region they have to. One vote, one value encourages more attention goes to where the most voters are. So we need to be more vocal in helping our politicians push the urgent need for more infrastructure and that our concerns for sustainable, community acceptable development are heeded. There is noise from both sides about the benefits to be delivered (but not when) and calls for no development. At the moment it seems the Rockhampton region is sitting on its hands not sure what to put its’ hand up for, while the rest of CQ powers on, for better or otherwise. Without development, aspirations for a high school in Gracemere, a better southern entrance into Rockhampton, development of the Yeppoon foreshore, etc., are more difficult to achieve. Development and the population growth that comes with it will improve our political clout. Clout needed to get more infrastructure. Unfortunately the Rockhampton Chamber of Commerce with its mission of promoting sustainable and community acceptable development in Central Queensland no longer exists. I think its time for a non-political, 100% community driven organisation was formed to take on this mission and help our politicians get a better deal for us. Champion our aspirations and our concerns. What do you think? Would you join a group passionate, pro-active, and protective in promoting sustainable, community acceptable development in Rockhampton and Central Queensland?

I would love to hear your thoughts and aspirations for CQ. Even if you think the lyrics are a chance of becoming a song.

Where's the Welcome Mat

Hit the road Jack, and go see Australia…. that would be an aspiration for most of us, well of mine anyway.  For many this involves the purchase of a motor home.  The Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) has 61000 members.  Just over two years ago they held their national rally here in Rockhampton.  Waiting in the doctor’s reception area I started reading their magazine ‘The Wanderer’, it was even a 2011 edition.  It included a list of RV (recreational vehicle) friendly towns/destinations.  I was surprised that a former host city of their national rally was not included.  A check of their website confirmed no towns within the Rockhampton region were included.  Yet towns such as Duaringa, Theodore, Springsure, Longreach and Winton were listed.  The criteria to be listed as RV friendly didn’t look too demanding.

As in the Mayors welcome message for the 2009 National Rally in Rockhampton, “from the city to the beach and the bush – we’ve got something for everyone!”  Mayor Carter went on to list, “the pristine beaches along the Capricorn Coast, the many parks and gardens around our region including our internationally recognised Botanic and Japanese Gardens, the Rockhampton Art Gallery, the Rockhampton Zoo and Murray Lagoon Wetlands, Mount Archer lookout, Fitzroy River Park and nature walk”.  Add to this the historic charms of Mount Morgan, the Rockhampton Heritage Village, barra fishing in the Fitzroy, the Dreamtime Centre, the islands,  exploring Capricorn Caves and digging for thunder eggs; our region does arguably have the variety to attract a CMCA member if not a few thousand of them – every year.

One of the services to be classified as RV friendly is the provision of short term (24/48/72 + hour) parking.  Could the Council provide space and facilities within our regions showgrounds for this provision?  Charging a reasonable rate for those who want to stay longer then the determined short term stay.

A win, win scenario; the region attracts more RV’s, nearby businesses benefit from their patronage, and it’s an opportunity for Council to earn revenue.  After all why host a CMCA National Rally if no long term relationship with them was desired.  So the question is why hasn’t Rockhampton, Mount Morgan, Yeppoon or The Caves been classified as an RV friendly town/destination?  Surely the benefits would out weigh the costs.  61000 members – 61000 people who have made a considerable investment to tour Australia and the baby boomer generation hasn’t all retired yet.  The motor home tourist market will continue to grow.  Lets get on the bus or in this case the motor home and instead of hoping they will visit us again, give them reason to return and explore this part of Central Queensland.

Time to claim a new title (slogan)

I just read today that Queensland Rail are to consider a fast train between Rockhampton and Gladstone. At last. Lets hope this consideration process doesn't take too long and we see some action.
The below column questions the benefits of the Beef Capital of Australia title that Rockhampton carries. Should it be the city's slogan as well?

The media were vying for the best position at the bottom of the mobile steps.  The pressurised door of the plane was released, the eyes of the entire airport ground staff diverted to the top of the steps.  The beaming hostess thanked her for flying with them and just contained herself from asking for a photo together.  What a hit on Facebook that profile photo would make.  In her stunning outfit and with a radiant smile Jennifer Hawkins put on her designer sunglasses as she departed the plane.  The Myer PR team watched from the plane windows.  The result was exactly what they hoped for.  Maximum media coverage for the Rockhampton store opening.

No…. Myers isn’t coming to Rockhampton, not yet anyway.  It’s just another aspiration of mine (more for Jennifer Hawkins than Myers to come to Rocky).  However this is what happened recently in Mackay.  Why Mackay, why not Rockhampton?  Rockhampton, on the doorstep of billion dollar projects, the Beef Capital of Australia, why didn’t Myers choose it over Mackay?  No doubt there were many reasons.  Could one of the reasons be the title, Beef Capital of Australia?  A title that’s used pretty much as a slogan for the city.  Like The Morning Bulletins slogan ‘where local news comes first’, a slogan helps people visualise what the brand is about.  In this case the brand is Rockhampton city.  At the risk of upsetting the beef industry, does Rockhampton city reflect a beef capital image and what do people perceive when they hear it?  Are these perceptions conducive to deciding where to live, visit or invest?  Bull statues contribute to the beef capital image, but other than cattle trucks, The Great Western or at show time, where are the cattle?  Apparently you’re more likely to come across a deer or brumby when driving around the city.

The title ‘Beef Capital’ does provide a point of difference from other cities, but is it the only difference we want to highlight and is it a real benefit.  Those who visit Rockhampton city because it is the Beef Capital of Australia, outside Beef Expo time, are they really going to be satisfied with their experiences?

It’s time for an image overhaul for the city.  In earlier columns I’ve suggested a slogan, ‘Rockhampton – Home of Australia’s Future Champions’.  Imagine what people would visualise (their perceptions) when they hear this.  Arguably more conducive pictures for people considering to live, visit or invest in the city.  With our education, sporting facilities, cultural centres and industry base we have solid foundations to develop such a slogan.  Plus Rockhampton has proof of being able to produce champions in numerous fields, including one of the all time greats – Rod Laver. Perception is a very powerful marketing tool. Unfortunately the Council in their Draft Community Plan have identified adopting a new vibrant and progressive image for the region as a low priority. Ask any business what their biggest asset is and they’ll answer their brand.

Has anyone from Council asked Myers why Mackay and not Rockhampton? That’s the kind of feedback you need to help effectively plan for the future.

Looks like I've gained a regular spot in Saturdays Morning Bulletin. Here's a column that was published couple of weeks back. Thought I might had someone from either the cycling club or multi-cultural association call me to discuss it. But to date nothing. Be interested to know if you think its a good idea.

The flags of the commissaire's raised one by one; the crowd hushed as the gun sounded, and with a strong heave the Rocky Cup on Wheels started, the back markers quickly gaining ground.  Patrons of the inaugural Fine Food and Wine Festival cheered on the riders from inside the track.  The decision to co-host the food and wine festival with the annual Rocky Cup on Wheels at the Kenrick Tucker Velodrome proved to be a success.  Much like how the major horse racing days attract crowds with limited knowledge of the sport.

The decision of the neighbouring Rock Pool Water Park to open an adjoining fence for the children of the festival patrons to enjoy their facilities also proved a good decision.

I was thinking of uses for the Music Bowl.  It seems a shame that a community event like Carols by Candlelight may no longer have a home.  If only the Music Bowl could be more regularly, viably utilised.  One thought was a Fine Food and Wine Festival.  However it takes time to establish a successful event.  If though the event was held in conjunction and complimented another event then the sum could be greater than its parts.

The Rocky Cup on Wheels is indisputably a major cycling event but to get support from the non-cycling community it needs an x factor (xtra crowd puller).  In the past Sean Eadie and Ryan Bayley were the x factor.  Anna Meares is also an x factor.  Cadel Evans would be the one for this year Rocky Cup on Wheels (non-cycling people wouldn’t care that he is not a track rider, they just want to see cycling’s man of the moment).  However appearance fees, availability and only being a short term fix makes it a fickle foundation to build an event on.

By complimenting it with another event that has potential to grow the overall support base, surely it has to be worth considering.  Maybe a representative from the local multi-cultural association could meet with the Rocky Cup on Wheels committee to see if there is potential.  Council could possibly help them access funding through the Queensland Event Corporation to kick start the inaugural collaboration. Sponsorship opportunities for wine/beverages/food would add to existing cycling sponsors.  Plus there have got to be opportunities for the neighbouring Rock Pool Water Park and maybe even Diggers Bowls Club as well as the YWCA hall to be utilised.  Like I said the sum could be greater than its parts.  It’s just a thought. And it would add something else to the city’s event calendar.

Now back to the Music Bowl, or should we consider what could be done with the money raised from its sale!