Happy Birthday to The Dish

One of Australia's most iconic scientific structures, the CSIRO's Parkes Telescope is celebrating 50 years of achievement today - having opened on October 31, 1961 right in the middle of a paddock.

History of achievements 1961-2011

Photographs from Google Images

A Moment in the Clarence By-election

In the March 2011 News South Wales general election Labor experienced a two party preferred -19.3% swing with a corresponding swing to the Nationals of +19.3%, resulting in a resounding win for the Nationals sitting member in the Clarence electorate.

As it turned out the champagne bubbles flattened quickly and the Nats had less than six months to bask in the glow of this result before Steve Cansdell’s past caught up with him and the seat fell vacant.

Still, you could be forgiven for thinking that the by-election this November is going to be a shoe-in for the North Coast Nats.

That is until you look at who they chose to represent the party – Chris Gulaptis.

Not only does he have a local government history which makes the average punter recall the less flattering aspects of his character, he is also so gaffe prone that most of his early campaigning has him bragging about funding commitments which don’t exist.

This has clearly spooked the party because they now appear to be trying to position him for the sympathy vote and are predicting an as yet unqualified swing against their candidate.

NSW Deputy Premier, Nationals Leader and Oxley MP, Andrew Stoner, in damage limitation mode went to the media with this statement:

"I predict a swing against us which is why Chris will have to shake as many hands as possible and knock on as many doors as possible to secure his role as a member of government that will be in for at least two terms".

Poor Andy can have no idea how few people look forward to the idea of Chris turning up on their doorstop or how deep they'll have to dig to find a skerrick of sympathy for this ever opportunistic bloke.

Pic of Chris Gulaptis from The Daily Examiner

Dreaming out loud about an Alternative Abbott Universe

Deborah Cameron on ABC 702 Mornings 17^th October 2011:
“MR Abbott is finding it very hard to get a bounce in the polls, it's sort of proof that you can't scream your way into people's affections, it would seem from the recent polls. Now how do you think the Liberal Party is going to deal with the problem of Mr Abbott's continuing, sort of, he just can't get off. He's finding it hard to convert success into popularity, personal popularity. So can you picture a Tony Abbott who's not bellowing, and who can actually stop and talk, and listen, and think quietly?”

You lose, Alan Joyce

11am Sunday 30th October 2011

Disclaimer: These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.

This Granny Herald poll closes in 5 days – you can vote here.

Want to tell Qantas what you think - use
http://twitter.com/#!/QantasAirways or email Board Members/Senior Management here or use {insert name} @qantas.com.au.
Starting with alan.joyce@qantas.com.au.

Qantas Board & Senior Management:
Mr Leigh Clifford, AO (Chairman)
Mr Alan Joyce (Managing Director, CEO)
Retired General Peter Cosgrove, AC MC (Non Exec. Director)
Mrs Patricia Cross (Non Exec. Director)
Mr Richard Goodmanson (Non Exec. Director)
Mr Garry Hounsell (Non Exec. Director)
Ms Corinne Namblard (Non Exec. Director)
Mr Paul Rayner (Non Exec. Director)
Dr John Schubert, AO (Non Exec. Director)
Mr James Strong, AO (Non Exec. Director)
Ms Barbara Ward, AM (Non Exec. Director)
Mr Gareth Evans (CFO)
Mr Brett Johnson (General Counsel)
Mr Jeff Etherington (Investor Relations)

They just don't make politicians like they used to

Friday night's ABC TV news in Queensland had a piece where Premier Bligh was praising her fellow members of the parliament, especially those on her side of the chamber. Bligh was advancing the notion that MPs are very capable persons and especially skilled at multi-tasking. She remarked, "They can walk, talk and chew gum (all at the same time)."

Back in the good old days MPs were far more talented. Most were able to whistle and fart and drive a cart - all at the same time, of course!

Call for sacking of NSW Environment Minister, Robyn Parker, ASAP

Politicians can run but they cannot hide. Another correspondent in the Coffs Coast Advocate's letters section has gone to town on the NSW Environment Minister for her repeat "Fail" efforts.

Pollution fears realised by mine overflow

THE letter by Claire Thompson (CCA, 25/10) clearly outlines what we all fear and yet seem powerless to stop.

Also an article with regards to "toxic pollution of the Macleay River from the Hillgrove Antimony Mine near Armidale."

The NSW Environment Minister, Robyn Parker, responded saying, "there is no increased risk because pollution from the mine has been diluted", this despite 900,000 litres of contaminated water overflowing from the Hillgrove Mine and entering the river system.

This minister should get the sack ASAP, especially considering what has already happened with the contamination and air pollution in Newcastle, and now this. The only one that seems to be on our side is Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham and Coffs Harbour councillor Mark Graham.

Sad state of affairs.

Ziggy Koenigseder

Source: Coffs Coast Advocate, 27/10/11

I see Chris has joined Facebook

Chris Gulaptis has joined Facebook very quietly sometime in the last few days. Which is probably just as well as he hasn’t quite got the hang of why people friend on FB – either they find your site interesting or they want to come up alongside a very popular person.

For a by-election candidate who used to be a local government demagogue politician he doesn’t have much to say and the bulk of the photos he has posted makes us believe that barely a handful of people attended the opening of his campaign office and no-one turned up at the market stall.
Also, that perhaps he has the hots for Andrew Stoner. 

Must do better, Chris!

Anony-mice

Yamba

Guest Speak is a North Coast Voices segment allowing serious or satirical comment from NSW Northern Rivers residents. Email ncvguestpeak at live dot com dot au to submit comment for consideration.