Gentlefolk,
This post describes our main activities during the month September 2026.
The contents of this post are in the following sequence:
Photos of our activities during September 2026.
News items which caught my eye in September 2026.
Some key actions by President Trump during September2026 (from MS NOW Project 47).
Highlight of September 2026
The highlight of the month was probably the AFL Grand Final played on 26 September between the Brisbane Lions and the Freemantle Dockers. Brisbane won a very close contest 96-89 in virtually the last minute of the game.
Internationally, the USA/Israel - Iran conflict drags on, now in its 7th month. The Iranian delegation to the UNGA proposed a solution, which Trump rejected.
Herewith photos of some of our activities in September 2026:
Walking along the Spit at Mooloolabah with friends Henny & Julius.
The attractive beach at Mooloolabah attracts swimmers all year around.
A group from the Village played "Mini Golf" at Maroochy River Golf Club; good fun!
David (one of our neighbours in Foxtail Lane) organised the golf excursion and everyone got a prize after Mini Golf; followed by dinner. Thanks for a most enjoyable evening, David!!!
Vera completed the 12 session "Speak Out! course with Louise Williams from the Restoring Hope Speech Therapy Centre. Louise is one of the founders of this charity which helps sufferers of Parkinson's Disease improve their speaking and swallowing.
We attended this fund-raising function for a Parkinson's charity devoted to speech therapy. The main event was an auction of items donated by local companies and supporters. About A$8,000 was raised.
The Sunshine Coast Parkinson's choir entertained the audience.
Ralph was diagnosed with Parkinson's about 7 years ago. He spoke about his Parkinson's journey and the benefits of doing speech therapy.
We belong to a Sunshine Coast Parkinson's Support Group which meets once a month. Sarah is the coordinator. At the September meeting, Sarah invited Louise to give a presentation on the work of the Restoring Health speech therapy charity. Vera & I were pleased to endorse her remarks.
Friday night "Happy Hour" at the Village Clubhouse.
I haven't been sleeping well, so finally our GP arranged for me to take a sleep test - all wired up!!! Should get the results of the test in early October.
.
I have been playing bowls two or three times a week. It is challenging and enjoyable. About once a month our Village plays against other Halcyon villages. In my first-ever "official" competition on 13 September I played against Halcyon Parks - my team lost a close game, but our Village easily won the overall day.
The bowls team of Mick, Brian and myself won an internal Halcyon Nirimba competition (we each got $20 - does that make me a semi-professional???). We were rank outsiders, long odds, but somehow managed to win all our games. Miracles happen!
Also in the photo is Russell Neal who organised the bowls and BBQ lunch afterwards. Thanks for an enjoyable morning, Russell!
.
Also in the photo is Russell Neal who organised the bowls and BBQ lunch afterwards. Thanks for an enjoyable morning, Russell!
We had lunch with my niece Laura at the King Ludwig German Restaurant near Maleny. Laura is living in Noosa while studying Human Resources.
Of course we ordered Pig's Knuckle. It was huge, and delicious!
Saying "Auf Wiedersehen" after a memorable lunch.
The bouganvillea erected by Tom on our back fence is doing well. Thanks, Tom!!!
Second Anniversary lunch for residents of Foxtail Lane. From left: Gary & Margaret, Linda & Ken, Robyn, Jane & Tony, Sue & Peter, Theresa, Una & David, Peter & Margaret; Tanya & Attila, Cec & Margaret.
Hard to believe that we have been here almost 2 years!
Hard to believe that we have been here almost 2 years!
We had 4 days with Jen & Tom in Brisbane, looking at retirement options (to be closer to family in case we have health issues in the future). Jen was terrific, showing us around Brisbane (but she shuns photos!).
Sid loves their dog, a wonderful Ridgeback called Ketut.
We visited seven Retirement Villages: 2 St Vincent's Care Mitchelton & Enoggera), 2 AVEO (Taringa & Newstead), The Village Coorparoo, Keperra Sanctuary (Keyton), St Luke's Green Woolloongabba (Aust Unity). All different, all with pros & cons. A good start to understanding the available options.
This photo was taken at the Keperra Sanctuary, to which we gave a high rating.
St Luke's Green at Woolloongabba. Nice, but probably too small (only about 70 residents, mainly singles not many couples).
The AFL Grand Final was played on Saturday 26 September, between the Brisbane Lions and the Freemantle Dockers. It was a tight, close contest. With 4 minutes to go the Dockers had a 17 point lead and most people thought they would win, but then the Lions kicked 4 straight goals to win the game in the last minute.
The Lions had a three-peat: ie, this was their third AFL Championship in 3 years. They also had a 3 peat in 2001 - 02 - 03. While four other clubs have scored 3-peats (Melbourne, Carlton, Hawthorn and Collingwood), Melboune is the only other club to have achieved two 3-peats like Brisbane.
This photo was taken at the Keperra Sanctuary, to which we gave a high rating.
The Lions had a three-peat: ie, this was their third AFL Championship in 3 years. They also had a 3 peat in 2001 - 02 - 03. While four other clubs have scored 3-peats (Melbourne, Carlton, Hawthorn and Collingwood), Melboune is the only other club to have achieved two 3-peats like Brisbane.
Kylie Minogue was the star of the pre-game entertainment. She was born in Melbourne on 28 May 1968 (now 58).
A show performed by The Merryatrics in our clubhouse on 27 September.
In Perth on 27 September 2026 the Australian Wallabies beat the South African Springboks 42 to 38. The Wallabies had four players yellow-carded (each 10 mins off) in the last 10 minutes. Fortunately they had established a substantial lead and somehow managed to hold off the Springboks at the end.
It's been a few lean years for the Wllabies, so this win was very welcome.
......
News items which caught my eye in September 2026.
($ are US dollars unless otherwise shown)
Global
UK. PM Sir Keir
resigned from the leadership and from House of Commons. After landslide win
in July 2024. Andy Burnham new PM (7th in 10 years).
Tom Jones 86 was sacked as a
judge on The Voice UK.
WMO: predicts a
strong El Nino from warm Pacific Ocean temperatures, at least until February
2027. Likely drought in Australia, India and South Africa.
Germany: VW will
reduce staff by 50,000 (8% of total).
AfD right wing Party, won 44% of
the vote in Saxony Anhalt (up from 20% 5 years ago). They got 39/83 seats, 3
short of a majority. CDU 17%, SPD 9%.
Venezuela: Trump
said the US controls 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s oil.
Indonesia: Dormant
volcano Anak Krakatau erupted, closing airports.
F1: Kimi Antonelli
(Mercedes) won the Italian Grand Prix, from 19th place. He leads the Driver's Championship by a wide margin.
West Bank: Seven
European countries and Canada accused Israeli settlers of genocide and
blocked imports from companies in the West Bank. More than 90 Palestinians
have been killed by Settlers in 2026.
For the second year, the USA
refused visas to a Palestinian delegation to attend the UNGA (Mahmoud Abbas
addressed via video).
LIV Golf: filed
for bankruptcy.
Crude oil: over
$100 per barrel as Iran reacted to US strikes on oil tankers.
EU: The Economist
estimated that Muslims represent about 6% of the EU’s population.
Middle East: The
Houthis captured Mocha, an important coastal town and threatened shipping in
the Red Sea. The Houthi – Saudi conflict escalated.
Tennis: US Open in
NYC: Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 64,57, 62; Alexander Zverev beat Ben
Shelton 63, 76, 57, 62. The winners
received $5.5M each. Zverev won the French Open as well.
AI: several
leaders of AI companies called for a slow-down and more defined guard rails.
United Nations: 81st
UNGA. Aggressive speech by President Trump; Iran responded “we will never
bend the knee…”.
Trump rejected the Iranian’s offer to open the Strait if the
USA lifted the blockade – he said Iran was getting desperate and would wait
them out.
Thailand: severe
flooding in Bangkok and surrounds.
Football World Cup:
there were 66,000 adverts for junk food shown on TV during the 2026 World Cup,
about 16% of playing time.
Israel: growing rumours that PM Netanyahu was warned about the Hamas attack on 7 October.
USA
USA Mint produced a $1 coin
featuring Trump’s head – first living President to be on a coin; but a
collectible, not in circulation.
Gloria Steinem, American
journalist and feminist, died aged 92.
Judge declared a mistrial in the
trial of Lindsay Clancy a former nurse accused of strangling her 3 children:
Cora 5, Dawson 3, Callan 8 months on 24 January 2023. She jumped from a 2nd
floor window, is paralysed. The jury could not agree on a unanimous verdict.
Trump imposed high tariffs on
some Canadian products, Canada reciprocated.
Apple launched its Duo foldable
iPhone ($2,000+).
25th anniversary of
9/11 attacks on World Trade Centre and The Pentagon.
The NFL staged a regular season
game in Melbourne: SF 49ers beat the LA Rams 27-7. 100,000 filled the MCG.
The Republican Party held a “Mid
Term Convention” in Dallas during which
President Trump promised $5,000 to every American adult if the
Republicans win the Mid Term elections (total cost $1.3Trillion).
Actress Sally Field 79 won a TV
Grammy Award.
The USSC rejected Trump’s
attempt to use the USPS to police mail-in ballots in the Mid Term elections.
President Trump and his
representatives have made about 29,000 financial trades since his inauguration in January 2025 – more
than all the members of Congress combined.
The Federal Reserve increased
interest rates by 0.25% to 4%, the first increase in 3 years. Trump angry.
Trump banned CNN, MS Now, and
Politico from the White House; accused them of fake news and negative
reporting. But a judge instructed reinstatement for 2 weeks. Trump then banned
CNN from travelling on Air Force One.
Warren Buffett 96 the “Oracle of
Omaha” stepped down as Chair of Berkshire Hathaway (1965 - 2026). BH is now
worth $1.1T.
Uber was ordered to pay $40M to
the family of Emily Normandin-Parker 23 who was killed on 12 Aug 2023 after
an Uber driver left her on a highway.
USA / Denmark/Greenland updated
their 1951 defence agreement, confirming the USA’s role in Greenland’s
security.
President Xi of China made a 3
day official visit to the US. Elaborate welcome by Trump. They agreed to extend
their “Trade Truce” from 10 Nov to 10n January 2027. Also cut tariffs on
goods worth $30B (total two-way goods trade in 2025 was $415B). Also
established a bilateral Trade Council.
Australia
20th anniversary of
Steve Irwin’s death.
The Australian economy grew 2.1%
in last 12 months.
Tony Edmondstone new CEO of
Sunshine Coast Airport. $170M terminal refurbishment.
Nick Kyrgios banned for 30 days
for testing position for cocaine.
A waterfront home at 32-34 Noosa
Parade sold for A$40M; 1,200 sq m block.
Large building company Bathla
went into receivership owing $3.4B.
Journalist and author Blanche D’Alpuget
died aged 82. She married former PM Bob Hawke in 1995 (he died in 2019).
Two local Councils banned “smart
glasses” which have an in-built camera from their public swimming pools.
Cue Clothing (founded 1968) went
into receivership; 69 outlets for Cue and Veronika Maine labels.
Australia’s population is
estimated at 27.9M (grew by 393K in the 12 months to March 2026, of which
292K were immigrants).
Actress Rachel Griffiths will
return to the stage in “Clarice Beckett” after 25 years.
Johnny Farnham was too ill to
attend the tribute concert to him; leading acts by Keith Urban, Jimmy Barnes,
Celine Dion.
Latest Newspoll (sample 1,244)
had One Nation on 30% of the primary vote, ALP on 27%. Preferred PM: Anthony Albanese
44%, Pauline Hanson 32%, Angus Taylor 24%.
Collingwood’s Nick Daicos (23)
won the 2026 Brownlow Medal with a record 47 votes.
The Brisbane Lions beat the
Freemantle Dockers 96-89 to win the 2026 AFL Championships. The second 3-peat
by the Lions (first was 2001, 03, 03.).
The Reserve Bank lifted interest
rates by 0.25% to 4.6%, the highest in 15 years. A mortgage of $600K would pay
an additional $91 per month ($400 per month more this year).
President
Trump continues to dominate the media. American government policy seems to be
largely based on Trump posts on Truth Social, his social media site.
Trump’s
key actions
From
MS NOW Project 47
In week
ending 4 September 2026
Announced plans to create the U.S. Space Academy, similar
to existing military academies, to support the U.S. Space Force
Demanded on social media that the Federal Communications
Commission do “something” about “fake polls used by our crooked media”
Nearly doubled the federal financial support for white
South Africans coming to the U.S. as refugees, up to $4,500 per person
Submitted to a court, through the Health and Human
Services department, nonexistent and possibly AI-generated citations to support
its case
In week
ending 18 September 2026
Said the Kennedy Center might be “ripped down” and was
photographed looking at a large printout that appeared to be about its
demolition
Moved ahead with preparing temporary signs that will
accuse the National Museum of American History of ideological bias
Posted with zero evidence on social media that the
Butler, Pennsylvania, assassination attempt was a “Democrat Plot, to get me out
of the election”
Defied decades of U.S. foreign policy when he repeatedly
said on a trip to Ireland that he would “love to see” a unified Ireland
In week
ending 25 September 2026
Barred
MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House, citing coverage that he claims
is unfair to him
Said
the U.S. government would now begin referring to artificial intelligence as
“super intelligence” or “SI”
Removed
760,000 people enrolled in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act,
arguing that not filing a claim or filling a prescription was a sign of fraud
Announced
a plan to convert a proposed triumphal arch in Washington to a military
complex housing drones and snipers
......
That's all for this post.
Stay happy and healthy and keep smiling.
Vera & Alex Olah
Caloundra, Australia
30 September 2026
It's been a few lean years for the Wllabies, so this win was very welcome.
Global
UK. PM Sir Keir
resigned from the leadership and from House of Commons. After landslide win
in July 2024. Andy Burnham new PM (7th in 10 years).
Tom Jones 86 was sacked as a
judge on The Voice UK.
WMO: predicts a
strong El Nino from warm Pacific Ocean temperatures, at least until February
2027. Likely drought in Australia, India and South Africa.
Germany: VW will
reduce staff by 50,000 (8% of total).
AfD right wing Party, won 44% of
the vote in Saxony Anhalt (up from 20% 5 years ago). They got 39/83 seats, 3
short of a majority. CDU 17%, SPD 9%.
Venezuela: Trump
said the US controls 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s oil.
Indonesia: Dormant
volcano Anak Krakatau erupted, closing airports.
F1: Kimi Antonelli
(Mercedes) won the Italian Grand Prix, from 19th place. He leads the Driver's Championship by a wide margin.
West Bank: Seven
European countries and Canada accused Israeli settlers of genocide and
blocked imports from companies in the West Bank. More than 90 Palestinians
have been killed by Settlers in 2026.
For the second year, the USA
refused visas to a Palestinian delegation to attend the UNGA (Mahmoud Abbas
addressed via video).
LIV Golf: filed
for bankruptcy.
Crude oil: over
$100 per barrel as Iran reacted to US strikes on oil tankers.
EU: The Economist
estimated that Muslims represent about 6% of the EU’s population.
Middle East: The
Houthis captured Mocha, an important coastal town and threatened shipping in
the Red Sea. The Houthi – Saudi conflict escalated.
Tennis: US Open in
NYC: Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 64,57, 62; Alexander Zverev beat Ben
Shelton 63, 76, 57, 62. The winners
received $5.5M each. Zverev won the French Open as well.
AI: several
leaders of AI companies called for a slow-down and more defined guard rails.
United Nations: 81st UNGA. Aggressive speech by President Trump; Iran responded “we will never bend the knee…”.
Trump rejected the Iranian’s offer to open the Strait if the
USA lifted the blockade – he said Iran was getting desperate and would wait
them out.
Thailand: severe
flooding in Bangkok and surrounds.
Football World Cup:
there were 66,000 adverts for junk food shown on TV during the 2026 World Cup,
about 16% of playing time.
USA
USA Mint produced a $1 coin
featuring Trump’s head – first living President to be on a coin; but a
collectible, not in circulation.
Gloria Steinem, American
journalist and feminist, died aged 92.
Judge declared a mistrial in the
trial of Lindsay Clancy a former nurse accused of strangling her 3 children:
Cora 5, Dawson 3, Callan 8 months on 24 January 2023. She jumped from a 2nd
floor window, is paralysed. The jury could not agree on a unanimous verdict.
Trump imposed high tariffs on
some Canadian products, Canada reciprocated.
Apple launched its Duo foldable
iPhone ($2,000+).
25th anniversary of
9/11 attacks on World Trade Centre and The Pentagon.
The NFL staged a regular season
game in Melbourne: SF 49ers beat the LA Rams 27-7. 100,000 filled the MCG.
The Republican Party held a “Mid
Term Convention” in Dallas during which
President Trump promised $5,000 to every American adult if the
Republicans win the Mid Term elections (total cost $1.3Trillion).
Actress Sally Field 79 won a TV
Grammy Award.
The USSC rejected Trump’s
attempt to use the USPS to police mail-in ballots in the Mid Term elections.
President Trump and his
representatives have made about 29,000 financial trades since his inauguration in January 2025 – more
than all the members of Congress combined.
The Federal Reserve increased
interest rates by 0.25% to 4%, the first increase in 3 years. Trump angry.
Trump banned CNN, MS Now, and
Politico from the White House; accused them of fake news and negative
reporting. But a judge instructed reinstatement for 2 weeks. Trump then banned
CNN from travelling on Air Force One.
Warren Buffett 96 the “Oracle of
Omaha” stepped down as Chair of Berkshire Hathaway (1965 - 2026). BH is now
worth $1.1T.
Uber was ordered to pay $40M to
the family of Emily Normandin-Parker 23 who was killed on 12 Aug 2023 after
an Uber driver left her on a highway.
USA / Denmark/Greenland updated
their 1951 defence agreement, confirming the USA’s role in Greenland’s
security.
President Xi of China made a 3
day official visit to the US. Elaborate welcome by Trump. They agreed to extend
their “Trade Truce” from 10 Nov to 10n January 2027. Also cut tariffs on
goods worth $30B (total two-way goods trade in 2025 was $415B). Also
established a bilateral Trade Council.
Australia
20th anniversary of
Steve Irwin’s death.
The Australian economy grew 2.1%
in last 12 months.
Tony Edmondstone new CEO of
Sunshine Coast Airport. $170M terminal refurbishment.
Nick Kyrgios banned for 30 days
for testing position for cocaine.
A waterfront home at 32-34 Noosa
Parade sold for A$40M; 1,200 sq m block.
Large building company Bathla
went into receivership owing $3.4B.
Journalist and author Blanche D’Alpuget
died aged 82. She married former PM Bob Hawke in 1995 (he died in 2019).
Two local Councils banned “smart
glasses” which have an in-built camera from their public swimming pools.
Cue Clothing (founded 1968) went
into receivership; 69 outlets for Cue and Veronika Maine labels.
Australia’s population is
estimated at 27.9M (grew by 393K in the 12 months to March 2026, of which
292K were immigrants).
Actress Rachel Griffiths will
return to the stage in “Clarice Beckett” after 25 years.
Johnny Farnham was too ill to
attend the tribute concert to him; leading acts by Keith Urban, Jimmy Barnes,
Celine Dion.
Latest Newspoll (sample 1,244)
had One Nation on 30% of the primary vote, ALP on 27%. Preferred PM: Anthony Albanese
44%, Pauline Hanson 32%, Angus Taylor 24%.
Collingwood’s Nick Daicos (23)
won the 2026 Brownlow Medal with a record 47 votes.
The Brisbane Lions beat the
Freemantle Dockers 96-89 to win the 2026 AFL Championships. The second 3-peat
by the Lions (first was 2001, 03, 03.).
The Reserve Bank lifted interest
rates by 0.25% to 4.6%, the highest in 15 years. A mortgage of $600K would pay
an additional $91 per month ($400 per month more this year).
Barred
MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House, citing coverage that he claims
is unfair to him
Said
the U.S. government would now begin referring to artificial intelligence as
“super intelligence” or “SI”
Removed
760,000 people enrolled in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act,
arguing that not filing a claim or filling a prescription was a sign of fraud
Announced
a plan to convert a proposed triumphal arch in Washington to a military
complex housing drones and snipers
