Post #166 19 March 2018

Gentlefolk,

This post covers activities / events in which we were involved in the first two weeks of March 2018.

My intention was to do one post for all of March, but quite a lot going on so I decided to split the month in two.

Some highlights:

For me the highlight of the period was the death of Stephen Hawking on 14 March 2018.  At the age of 21 he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease and given 2 years to live - instead he lived until the age of 76 and became a world-renowned physicist.  A truly remarkable person. In the wonderful movie "The theory of everything" Hawking was portrayed by Eddie Redmayne (an amazing performance for which he got an Oscar).

Important news from Beijing - the National Peoples Congress (NPC) removed term limits, so commentators are speculating that Xi Jin Ping will lead China for many, many years to come.

President Trump agreed to meet Kim Jong-un, leader of North Korea.  Wouldn't you love to be a "fly on the wall" at that meeting?

President Trump imposed 25% and 10% tariffs on imported steel and aluminium. Strong reaction from trading partners.  After intense lobbying Australia was exempted (the USA has a trade surplus with us so Trump sees us a 'good guys').  Canada, the major steel supplier to the US, got a temporary reprieve.  I suspect that the message was basically aimed at China (although Chinese steel exports to the US are relatively small), but Trump is determined to reduce America's huge trade deficit with China.

Here are photos of some of the activities in which Vera and I were involved during the first 2 weeks of March.

On Saturday 3 March the ACFS organised a Lantern Festival. In Chinese culture the Lantern Festival is held 2 weeks after Chinese New Year, and marks the end of those celebrations.  The event was held 6 - 9pm in the Beijing Gardens, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.  It was a beautiful, balmy, autumn evening.   

 Canberra has a large and active Chinese community which put on displays of music, dancing, martial arts, etc.

Around 700 people, including many families and children, attended the Lantern Festival. I was responsible for "publicity" and tried to place items about the event in newspapers, magazines and websites - so a big relief to see such a good turn-out. Many people brought picnics and the Committee also had drinks and snacks for sale.  

The evening started with a performance by the Chinese Traditional Orchestra from the ANU School of Music.

Dance performance.

Performance of martial arts.

Demonstration of tai chi.

A family group in the Chinese Pavilion.

Judging of the best hand-made lantern.  This was followed by a Lion Dance and the Festival concluded with a lantern parade around the Gardens. 

The following day, 4 March, the Chinese Embassy had an "Open Day" for invited guests.  The Chinese Embassy is one of the most outstanding Embassies in Canberra.  Grand building, surrounded by lovely gardens. 

A poster promoting China - Australia relations.

Vera listening to girls playing traditional instruments.

Dance performance.

The Embassy has extensive gardens, including a small but lovely lake.

A poster welcoming the Year of the Dog.

This gentleman was demonstrating Chinese calligraphy.

And now for something completely different ... we came across this group of enthusiasts who seek to promote Medieval jousting and fencing - the elaborate costumes - these guys take it seriously.

Statues of Prime Minister John Curtin walking with his Treasurer Ben Chifley in about 1944 (Chifley became PM when Curtin died the following year).  When they were in Canberra they stayed at the Kurrajong Hotel which was within easy walking distance of Old Parliament House, and these statues are on that route.

We invited some friends from the Canberra Old Time Dance Club (New Vogue or Sequence dancing) for afternoon tea.  From left: Bob Stoddard, Eugen and Nee Braun, Kaye Stoddard, and Vera.  We are very pleased to have started dancing again - it's fun, gentle exercise, and the people are great.

To mark its 50th anniversary (opened on 15 August 1968) the National Library of Australia has an exhibition titled "Changing Times" on events which took place in 1968. Highlights: John Gorton becomes Australian Prime Minister (after disappearance of Harold Holt); Biafra famine; Tet Offensive; Prague Spring; student demonstrations in Paris, London, Berlin; assassination of Martin Luther King and later Bobby Kennedy; Nixon beat Humphrey in the US election; Beatles 'White Album'; 2001 A Space Odyssey; Mexico Olympics; etc.

My friend David Evans in front of a French poster from 1968. 

I gave two lectures on "Aspects of Chinese Culture" to a group at the University of the Third Age (U3A).

Some of the U3A group. The class is People, Places and Ideas, and individual members do presentations on subjects which interest them (for example, the week after me, a lady did a very good lecture on "The Arabs").  Another course I am doing at the moment is on "Napoleon"; the lecturer is Geoff Baker who has made a close study of Napoleon Bonaparte's life - amazing story.

On 10 March Vera and I went up to Sydney for the combined birthday parties of our grandkids: Jay turned one, and Eddie turned 4.  Caroline and Andrew invited friends and family, and kids from Eddie's class at day care.  

Vera with little Jay-Jay, who just turned one.

Paul Milton (Caroline's father) with James Hutton, a school buddy of Andrew's.

Birthday boy Eddie (4 years old) with his friend Jet.

We returned from Sydney in time to attend the "Symphony in the Park", and annual event in Canberra.  The theme was "Queen" and a Freddie Mercury impersonator was backed up by the entire Canberra Symphony Orchestra - a big, big sound.

Part of the large crowd in Commonwealth Park.  It was a beautiful autumn night.

We went to the concert with old friends Helen and Neil Moffat.

Freddie Mercury performing on stage.

Another shot of Freddie Mercury - it was amazing, he looked, sang and moved just like the real thing!

Many prominent buildings, like Old Parliament House here, have special light displays during the annual Enlighten Festival in Canberra.

This depiction of a famous painting was on the facade of the National Gallery.

On 12 March we drove to Bowral (about 180km from Canberra) to have lunch with old friends Tomoko and John Scott and see their marvellous new home.

First drinks in the lovely garden ...

... then lunch inside.  Tomoko prepared a delicious meal.From left: Christine Brill, Ian Loiterton; Vera; Logan Brill; Tomoko & John Scott; Sharon Loiterton.  We attended the Australian National University back in the mid-1960s.  I had the pleasure of working with John during a posting in Brazil: he is a great character: smart, wonderful raconteur, and talented sportsman. 

Vera & I registered to do the U3A course "Travellers Tales - Iran, Land of Persians" presented by Ross Howard.  He has been to more countries than I have had hot dinners, and has a terrific, down-to-earth presentation style. He will give 4 two-hour lectures on Iran, introducing the country, its people, and culture. Fascinating part of the world. 

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As I write this post the latest news is that President Trump has replaced Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, with Mike Pompeo.  The new head of the CIA will be Gina Haspel, 61, the first female to hold that position. Talk about 'revolving doors' - there's never a dull moment with this President.

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Best wishes, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Vera & Alex Olah
Canberra, Australia
Monday 19 March 2018

Post #165 28 February 2018

Gentlefolk,

This post covers the period 6 - 28 February 2018.

Quite an eventful 3 weeks. Some major events:

14 February, 17 killed in a mass shooting in a high school in Florida.  For the first time young people started pushing for greater gun controls.

22 February, Billy Graham died aged 99.  He was the first modern evangelist.  More than 200 million attended his rallies in over 100 countries (in Melbourne 143,000 attended in 1959). Amazing man.

23 February, Barnaby Joyce, leader of the Australian National Party and Deputy Prime Minister, resigned over an affair with his media advisor.  Michael McCormack replaced him.

24 February, the Royal Bank of Scotland reported a profit of US$1 billion in 2017 - the first profit in 10 years (accumulated losses totalled about US$70 billion).

25 February, the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics finished.  Norway topped the medal count (14 - 14 - 11 = 39), followed by Germany, then Canada, USA, and The Netherlands.  Australia came 22nd with 2 Silver and 1 Bronze.

25 February, Transparency International (www.transparency.org) published its Corruption Index for 2017.  New Zealand was listed as the least corrupt nation (onya, Kiwis!), followed by Denmark; Australia #13 (we dropped a couple of places - bad); USA #16; China #77; Indonesia #96. Somalia was rated the most corrupt of the 185 countries surveyed.

Here are some photos of events in which we were involved in this 3 weeks.

The "Canberra Classic" women's golf tournament was held at beautiful Royal Canberra Golf Club 9 - 11 February 2018. Shin Ji Yai (Korea, world ranking 26) was the winner with minus 19, followed by Lee Min Jee (Australia,  world ranking 17) on minus 13. Cheyenne Woods (Tiger's niece) tied 34th.

The signage at Hole #10 at Royal Canberra Golf Club.

Hitting off at the 10th Hole. The course was in great shape and the weather was great too.

A group putting on the 18th green.

We attended Marika Taylor's 70th birthday celebrations. From left: Bill (husband), Adam (son), me, Marika, Angie (my sister), and Chrissy (daughter).  We lived in the same street as Marika while growing up in Cooma - very old friends.

We checked out the paintings entered in he 2018 Bald Archy competition. Of course many political leaders came in for cartoons and caricatures, especially Barnaby Joyce.

 

Chinese New Year was on Friday 16 February 2018 - welcome the Year of the Dog!  I am a "Dog" (1946), so does that mean this will be a lucky year for me? Hope so.

We attended the banquet organised by the Australia China Friendship Society to mark Chinese New Year.  This photo shows the President, Carol Keil, welcoming everyone.

One of the many delicious dishes in the banquet.

Another dish.

This dish was called "Kimchi Chicken", not something one usually finds in a Chinese banquet.

Everyone received a "hong bao" red envelope with 20 cents inside!

 Vera and I at the Chinese New Year banquet.

The annual Canberra Multicultural Festival was held 16 - 18 February.  Vera and I helped selling sate on the Indonesian stall.  The biggest pavilions were from China and India, reflecting the largest ethnic communities in Canberra today.

Vera with workmates selling Indonesian sate. From left: Vera, Yuni, Maria, Demsi, and Nanik.

Adrian and I barbecuing chicken sates.  

A shot of the crowd near the Indonesian stand - there were many, many people around.

The Saudi pavilion, one of many pavilions selling food and promoting their culture.

Pure orange juice, anyone?

The "Chinese Village" was one of the biggest, and had a continual line of performers.

Me with a group of Chinese dancers.

The Brazilian samba dancers in the parade attracted a lot of attention.

Chinese dragon in the parade.

Vera befriended a Chinese temple dog in the parade.

A group of Indonesian dancers from Solo, with elaborate costumes.

After the Festival, Nanik and Adrian hosted dinner at their home to thank all the helpers.  Almost 3,000 sate sticks were sold during the day!  The proceeds will go to charities.

The Australia China Friendship Society runs a Lantern-making Workshop and then a Lantern Festival every year.  I joined the Committee of ACFS last November and so was involved in planning these events. 

Vera and me at the Lantern-making Workshop on Sunday 25 February 2018.  

Some of the parents and kids who participated in the lantern-making Workshop.

More participants in the Lantern-making Workshop.  The kids, and adults, enjoyed the process of making lanterns.  The Lantern Festival will be held next Saturday 3 March.  Traditionally, the Lantern Festival is held 2 weeks after Chinese New Year and marks the end of the celebrations.  There will be displays of Chinese music and dancing, and of course a Lantern Parade along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

Vera & I belong to a gym called the Southern Cross Health Club in Woden.  We re-joined when we returned from China, and have gone 3 or 4 times a week for the last year or so.  It has been a big part of our lives here in Canberra.  Well, the old gym (pictured) closed today and the brand new gym, called Stellar, will open tomorrow.

The foyer of the Southern Cross Health Club.  It closed today, and we will transfer to the new Stellar gym.  We'll miss the old gym - spent many good, healthy hours there. Out with the old, in with the new!

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That's it for this post.

I read memoirs of three former colleagues from the Trade Commissioner Service: Gerry Watkins, Bruce Nicholls ("A briefcase in transit") and Bill Barry ("Of home politics and world trade"). All were interesting - we were fortunate to have such great jobs which led to many wonderful experiences around the world - but I identified most with Bill Barry's commentary.  I worked with Bill at the Australian Embassy Bangkok in 1973 - 74.  Our boss was John Holmes (fabulous guy!), and it was a very happy and productive office.

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Best wishes, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Alex Olah & Vera Olah
Canberra, Australia
Wednesday 28 February 2018