Farewell to New England

The last planned stop made by the touring group before heading for home was in the small township of Tingha, which (just quietly, for fear of scaring the few remaining horses) has seen better days.

We examined the town's main street where most of the buildings are boarded up and could only imagine what a bustling place this would have been in days of yesteryear.
We considered grabbing a bite to eat at the local pub. However, the lunch time menu (served between 11am and 3pm) left a little bit to be desired. The menu provided diners with a choice of two offers, both priced ever-so reasonably at $5 - a beer and a pie, or a beer and a sausage roll. We thought long and hard about it but finally concluded we should head east and have another look around Guyra.
It has to be said that the business owners and residents of Tingha we spoke with are indeed a happy mob. While quick to point out that its glory days are well behind it the townsfolk stressed the advantages they enjoyed of residing in the small township.

Like so many other towns we visited Tingha will enjoy the benefits of the federal government's "Building the Education Revolution. Ms Gillard's $$$$ are being put to good use at Tingha Public School where a new school hall and COLA (covered outdoor learning area) are under construction.

The window display in the Wing Hing Long Museum was indeed very interesting ...
... but unfortunately for the group the signs in its window indicated that was as much as were going to see.

Credit: Image of museum at www.nnsw.com.au

Why am I not surprised at this?

The Office of Public Prosecutions requested a rescheduling of a former St Kilda player's rape trial due to start in July 2011 to avoid colliding with the AFL home-and-away season that year. Apparently the timing was "inconvenient" for a large number of that season's players.

So what does this say about footballers and the legal profession generally? When a piece of stitched pigskin in the hands of sporting 'stars' is seemingly viewed as more important than commencing a rape trial in a timely manner.

And to run that argument past a female judge - priceless!

Part of Teh Great Unhinging 2010

 

Well Pastor Nalliah's been at it again. Apparently the godbotherers are a mite upset down his way after the creation of a "wicked Government" this week:

 

Dear family & friends in Christ,
 
I know many of you would be very sad and disappointed at the outcome of the Australian Election. Please take some time to read through this email as I am sure it will encourage and challenge you to continue to stand for righteousness.
 
Who would have ever dreamed that one day we would have 2 atheists at the top job of running our government in Australia?
 
I too felt very sad for a few hours, but as I prayed to the Lord, I felt strongly in my spirit that this is not the time to mourn, but to rise up and fight the devil and his demonic powers of darkness even more, so that's exactly what I intend to do in the mighty Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
 
There is a famous saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."  In Matthew 11:12 the Word of God says, "The Kingdom of God has suffered much violence, but the violent shall rise up and take it by force.".
 
So dear prayer warriors in our Lord Jesus Christ, we might have lost this spiritual battle, but remember we will definitely win the war in Jesus Name, as the ultimate battle and victory belongs to the Lord of Hosts! Truly, He has won it for us 2000 years ago on the Cross through His death and resurrection, by triumphing over death, hell, and the grave!

When we initially lost the court case with the Islamic Council of Victoria at VCAT in 2005, there were many who were very sad and many others who mocked and laughed at us, but I knew that God would give us the final laugh & victory, "not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts!" (Zechariah 4:6)  All glory to God as we did win the court case 2 years later in Supreme Court in 2007, securing Freedom of Speech and Religion in Australia. God will never put His children who stand for Him to shame!
 
You got to be fighting continually in spiritual warfare for the God of heaven to manifest His ultimate victory over the enemy on earth! Never ever give up!
 
I was shocked when I heard that the 2 Independents Tony Windsor & Rob Oakshott were supporting Labor. Hats off to Bob Katter for standing his ground. I suppose that Tony & Rob will soon find out the very big mistake they have made. I wonder whether they will ever get re-elected to Parliament in their electorate??
 
However, the fact is that we in Australia once again have Ms Julia Gillard as our PM, with her right hand man now being Bob Brown, the outspoken homosexual leader of the Greens. It is a very very sad day for Australia.
 
I personally want to apologise to anyone whom I might have disappointed by my dream regarding Julia Gillard conceding defeat. I always speak what is in my heart and get into trouble for doing so, but I am sure you will appreciate that I will not say one thing to your face and do something else behind your back.
 
I honestly thought that the dream I had was from the Lord and so I have not given up hope on it as yet.  It is very likely that the current Gillard Labor Green Government could collapse anytime.  As the American saying goes, "it ain't over until the fat lady sings!"
 
However, what I hoped for did not come to pass in this election at this time, so I am very, very sorry.
 
Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart who supported the major prayer assault and sent many emails. Please do not lose heart. Your prayer and action did definitely produce great results. We have definitely taken the backbone out of the Labor party. They definitely now will find it very difficult to get legislation through Parliament as it is a minority Government.
 
There is another famous saying, "It only takes good men to do nothing for evil to triumph". It is so sad that so many church leaders did not speak up against the ungodly alliance of Labor's Julia Gillard and the Green's Bob Brown, but choose to remain silent because of political correctness. Unfortunately, they are equally to be blamed for putting in place such a wicked Government.
 
I believe if this current Government continues for 3 years (although I hope not), the true Church of Jesus Christ in Australia will come under severe politcal and social persecution. We as a nation, supported by many church leaders have chosen the path of persecution rather than peace and blessing.
 
Like in China and other nations where the onfire churches are persecuted, the churches which compromise will be free to operate, but those who stand up for righteousness will be persecuted.  Who knows, we might have to start underground house churches soon in Australia, like in China & Saudi Arabia. Oh, how exciting that will be as I have personally experienced many of them, since I served the Lord in Saudi Arabia with the underground house church movement.
 
One thing is for sure, under persecution the Church definitely will grow in quality and quantity. So come what may, the Lord's plans for Australia will be fulfilled through the remnant He has in this Great South Land of the Holy Spirit! Glory to God!
 
I am ready for the fight and I hope you are. Together, united as the Body of Christ, we will see our nation fulfil her destiny in our time in this generation.
 
It is very clear that our nation's government leaders from both sides of politics are not willing or are too scared to mention the name of Almighty God because of political correctness. We desperately need some men and women in Parliament who are honest and upright in the Lord.

In closing let me ask you a very, very important question. If given the opportunity, would you support a political party which will take Australia back to the historic roots of its Founding Fathers, the Ten Commandments, and that will protect our Judeo-Christian heritage??

I really believe that it is time for a true voice of righteousness in our Parliament. If the current trend continues, the Greens will become a major hindrance for Godly values in Government which will affect our nation and all Christians in a very negative way.

Your feedback on this would be greatly appreciated. Please take some time to write at least one line letting us know what you think about it.  
 
Australia for Jesus!
 
May God Bless You Mightily in Your Service to Him,
 
Your Brother In Christ,
 
Pr Daniel Nalliah

Myall Creek

After Bingara, the group travelled north-east towards Inverell and about midway along Bingara Road between Bingara and Delungra we visited the site where the 1838 Myall Creek Massacre was perpetrated.

The massacre of approximately 30 Wirrayaraay people at Myall Creek, the subsequent court cases and the hanging of the seven settlers for their role in the massacre was a pivotal moment in the development of the relationship between settlers and Aboriginal people. It was the first and last attempt by the colonial administration to use the law to control frontier conflict between settlers and Aboriginal people.

The Myall Creek massacre is outstanding in the course of Australia's cultural history as it is the last time the Colonial Administration intervened to ensure the laws of the colony were applied equally to Aboriginal people and settlers involved in frontier killings.

The Myall Creek Massacre Memorial consists of a large granite boulder with a plaque, erected on a hill overlooking the site of the massacre at Myall Creek. The path winding up to the monument has seven smaller rocks each containing some of the story, with a seat opposite each rock and situated under trees.

The Memorial brought together the descendants of the victims, survivors and perpetrators of the violence in an act of reconciliation which had implications for the whole community. On 10th June each year a commemoration ceremony is held at the site.

The site is becoming more frequently visited by non Indigenous people who are slowly becoming aware of the true history of Indigenous Australians and the struggle since the invasion.

The Myall Creek Massacre and Memorial Site was added to the National Heritage List on 7 June 2008.

Sources:
1. Dept of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
2. "Blood On the Wattle - Massacres and Maltreatment of Australian Aborigines since 1788" by Bruce Elder, published by National Book Distributors (1988)

A ''kinder, gentler polity": it was always going to be a fool's errand

Click on image to enlarge

Editor David Bancroft hazarded a guess that it might only be a day before the Coalition turned against the Independents it had been "courting so earnestly for the last 18 days". However, the speed at which the Lib-Nat tiger turned and attacked fast outran publication of Bancroft's opinion piece in The Daily Examiner yesterday.

In The Australian yesterday:

Senator Joyce told The Australian Online that Mr Windsor's decision to back Labor on the basis that the Coalition would be more likely to win another election was a "complete departure from the fundamentals of the democratic principle".
"In the most primary of political requests, the decision to form a government, the independents [Mr Oakeshott and Mr Windsor] have departed from delivering what their constituents wanted with the conceited claim that they know best," Senator Joyce said.

Some Coalition MPs have taken to Twitter to vent, with Liberal MP Bob Baldwin writing: "To think Windsor & Oakshot [sic] were going to vote any other way was a folly, the 17 days was nothing more than grandstanding to say the least."
"Did Oakshot sell out for the job of Speaker, surely not!"

Senator Richard Colbeck wrote: "How is a party that didn't even put out an Agriculture policy best for regional Australia?".

Tasmanian Eric Abetz warned Mr Oakeshott that he needed to "watch out" as Labor MP Sid Sidebottom had made a bid for a regional affairs portfolio - the same portfolio the independent may take up.
"Labor will do anything and say anything but when you get into bed with Labor make sure you know exactly who else is sharing the pillow," Senator Abetz said.

Queensland MP Steve Ciobo wrote: "Hard to take them seriously. Claim they're about their constituents, but back Labor/Greens. ALP/Greens polled 11.5% & 17.8% in their seats!"

And Liberal Sussan Ley cryptically quoted Sigmund Freud, writing: "Windsor and Oakeshott: the narcissism of the small differences - feeling negative towards the people who are most like you (Freud)."....

In The Sydney Morning Herald on the same day:

Mr Pyne singled out Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott - whose support tipped Labor into office - saying their decision offended commonsense.

Prominent Nationals Senator Ron Boswell also took a swipe at Mr Windsor, claiming his decision could be seen as "payback" for years of enmity towards his former party.

ABC News yesterday:

A Tasmanian Liberal Senator has condemned the Independent Member for Denison's deal with Federal Labor.

Andrew Wilkie has secured $340 million dollars to refurbish the Royal Hobart Hospital, in return for backing Julia Gillard's Labor minority government.
Liberals Senator Eric Abetz says it is nowhere near the multi-billion dollar deal secured by the other Independents for regional infrastructure projects.
"And I dare say Andrew Wilkie in Denison is scratching his head," he said.

News and Views in Bingara

Bingara's local newspaper The Advocate (published weekly) has a circulation of about 1000 copies.

Its latest edition features a front page report about the North West Film Festival to be held at The Roxy on September 17. The festival is "open to emerging filmmakers, students, young people and members from isolated communities across the New England North West region of NSW."

The Advocate also carries three letters to the editor:

1. "Lost Souls" are wandering round and round and up and down the streets of Bingara during the day and night in their "chariots" with the windows down so that all may hear their music.

2. The local Cancer Action Group's appreciation of community support on Daffodil Day. $2305.50 was raised - that's a totally amazing amount for such a small population.

3. Visitors to the town in motorhomes are bludging off the community by not paying camping fees.

But, shock! horror!

A report titled "Senate vote varied" informs readers that The Sex Party was not as popular at Upper Horton as it was in Bingara. It received only one vote in Upper Horton, but 17 in Bingara!

And, if that wasn't enough to scare the socks off the good folk around Bingara, the real devil was in the detail. Four voters in Bingara gave their #1 preference to the Communists.

(Editor's note: To ensure balance and objectivity is maintained in Clarrie's report, it is acknowledged that there were 19 One Nation supporters but the Greens managed to get just 3 #1s.)

Phew! Terror Australis avoided by the narrowest of margins

Australia can now exhale.

The Labor Party has formed a minority government after the 2010 general election produced a hung parliament and, as of yesterday, Julia Gillard is now the prime minister-designate.

By the narrowest of margins Labor negotiated an agreement with The Greens and three Independents resulting in 76 aligned seats to the Coalition's 75.

The spectre of Liberal Party Leader Tony Abbott holding the office of prime minister has been banished for the time being.

As a member of the Liberal Party of Australia, federal member of parliament, former minister in the Howard Government and latterly as Leader of the Opposition, Abbott has clearly demonstrated that he acknowledges few (if any) ethical boundaries to the exercise of political power.
For this reason alone Abbott is a politician to be wary of and one who could have become a dangerous prime minister.

However, the nation is not out of the woods yet. By now Abbott will have convinced himself that the process he so recently hoped would deliver him control of the country was not legitimate and, will be seeking ways to disrupt parliament, destabilise the political process and sabotage confidence in government.

The rest of the Coalition will also soon be shouting that they were robbed of the crown and (based on past performance) no political dirty trick will be too small and no lie too large.

The nation may well be in for a few very painful years.