Do we need mandatory sentencing for glassing?

Another night out in Perth and another glassing attack, people are so concerned about shark attacks in the West, but your chances of being glassed at Perth's popular nightlife venues are far greater than being bitten by a shark.

The Broome police officer, still in uniform at the hospital required 18 stitches to his face after a bottle was thrown at him while making an arrest in 2011. 

We need serious action by the government, most likely in the form of mandatory sentencing of no less than three years (with no parole) for anyone involved in a glassing attack with the magistrate having the power to impose a harsher penalty when required. There has been so much press regarding shark attacks, the real danger though happens to be nowhere near the water.

Christmas is over - Boxing day to recover

Christmas is behind us, a relief to many, I would imagine the time for life to start to normalise again before New Year's eve and the Perth Cup on New Year's day next week. Ok, then after new year, back to normal life.

Boxing day is a day of recovery, boy did I need recovering after sampling an amazing 2005 Upper Reach reserve chardonnay, 2010 Upper Reach reserve shiraz, a handful of other excellent wines finishing off with a Wise Tokay. A day spent inside slouched on the lounge flicking between the Sydney to Hobart race start and Boxing Day test match at the MCG was always on the cards.

The traditional Boxing day test between Australia and England drew a record crowd of 90,831 people to the ground beating the record set in 1961 between Australia and the West Indies. With the Ashes returned to Australia, England are now 0-3 in a 5 test series are looking to return some pride to their performance although it didn't look that way early on with slow scoring and a general lack of intent.

The Australians named an unchanged team for the MCG test, England in apparent disarray made a number of changes due to retirements and poor form. The day was, as expected a great spectacle and I enjoyed very much getting over the ill effects of another successful family Christmas day.

The start of the Sydney to Hobart race, Australia's premier blue water event is on way too early for me, still, as a yachting enthusiast, I have to drag myself out of bed to witness the start of the great race.

I just couldn't imagine myself hanging off the railings of a maxi yacht headed to Hobart after over indulging on the big day, maybe it is time to get involved in more blue water races on the West Australian coast, that means showing a little more self restraint. All in all, Boxing day turned out just as I expected - pretty happy with that.

Tulumbem in the afternoon

Bali is not universally known for its diving, however, there are some great dives in Bali, none more so than the Liberty wreck at Tulumben. The afternoons at Tulumben can be magnificent with the still water, reflective cloud cover and beautiful contrasts looking towards the horizon. Sure beats the hell out of being left in Kuta for any amount of time too, Bali is such a beautiful island once you venture past the main population areas.

After a number of dives at the Liberty wreck in the morning followed by the Tulumben wall later that day, I look forward to Bali diving coupled with a relaxing afternoon. Still in study mode, I need to be a little selective with my afternoon post dive activities. I reckon this is a pretty productive and relaxing  way to spend my afternoons.

Incompetence isn't illegal

I was meeting with a representative of the Small Business Development Corporation relating to an issue where a contractor acted improperly in my business causing me severe financial distress.

His advice was "Incompetence isn't illegal, otherwise a large portion of Australia would end up in jail." Immediately I thought of Wayne Swan, the hapless and disorientated treasurer of Australia from 2007 until 2013. 

Despite six years of claims to post a budget surplus, Swan failed to a surplus even on a single occasion. Wayne Swan is a dickhead, it is hard to explain it any other way. Joe Hockey, then shadow treasurer described Swan as the gift that just keeps on giving - a great joke.

That's a funny and ultimately true sledge as Swan claimed to post a budget surplus each year before retracting the statement at the last moment. What isn't funny is Swan's legacy of debt, mismanagement and incompetence.

Accused of economic vandalism by former Reserve Bank of Australia board of director Warrick McKibbin, withdrawing money from the reserve fund to bolster the budget surplus was poor judgement - ironically the budget surplus never eventuated but the bank was left extremely exposed.

Calling Swan a vandal is a little harsh, to become a vandal, one has to deliberately undertake an action, Swan, of course had no idea what he was doing so couldn't possibly be undertaking a deliberate act.

To keep the budget surplus in context, Peter Costello, the previous treasurer delivered twelve budgets from 1996 to 2007 with ten budgets in surplus. During that time frame was the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 with the dot.com bubble collapsing in 2000.

The global recession of 2001 affectied the United States, European Union and other advanced economies, but avoided by the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia with Indonesia escaping unthscathed.

Australia avoided recession during the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, that much is true. In its simplest terms, the GFC was a debt crisis. As can be seen by the graph, Australian Commonwealth debt was climbing steadily when Peter Costello became treasurer and reduced debt to almost nothing.

Costello actually sought to totally pay off all Commonwealth debt but was persuaded to hold a small amount of Commonwealth debt so as to maintain debt markets (bonds and treasury notes) to establish a base for future pricing.

Costello instead poured excess revenue into the Future Fund meeting the future liabilities of civil servant superannuation. Australia had been insulated predominantly from the GFC by low government debt and demand from China seeking Australia's natural resources.

It is hard to explain Wayne Swan's logic, blaming taxation revenues as the reason behind being unable to balance the budget, reducing spending is easier when you change government and hence direction. 

Despite Swan's claims that a revenue decline will wipe out the budget surplus, Australian Treasury clearly indicates revenue increasing making his claims ludicrous.

The 49er

I just love watching the 49er in action; when we are out on the water sitting on the side of a cruiser, seeing these fast two person performance dinghies roar past with their asymmetrical spinnaker set, skipper and forward hand perched on the solid wings supported by the trapeze wire is pure joy, reminding me of my dingy days of so long ago.

The ISAF World Sailing Championships held in Perth during December of 2011 saw mostly light winds for the whole regatta, this was a shame as these yachts can really get up and go in a bit of a breeze. I do get to see 49ers, 14 foot skiffs, moths and a whole host of other performance yachts close up on a pretty regular basis in 25 knot winds - I love it.

Organisational change - who needs a classroom?

During the week I was preparing research for my essay on organisational development and change, I had to head to Whiteman Park anyway and decided this is the perfect place to study and prepare. With the mercury working towards the mid to high 30s, time spent in the shade was at a premium. You sweat a bit, but who cares - still beats being cold.

Seated out in the park under the pergola, my study area consisted of a number of texts, supporting study notes and a portable tablet computer. The major advantage of online based university study is the ability to study where ever and when ever I choose. I still have to maintain their trimester schedule, but don't have to race to lectures when I am able to watch them online at my leisure. This is of great benefit to a person working full time - I see no value in a mature worker taking time off paid employment to study full time and work part time.    

Christmas is summer, with the trimester timetable I am able to study over the Christmas break of the traditional semester holidays. Feeling better with the trimester system; fast tracking university and college certainly whilst still enjoying the summer weather, maybe this has been the best change project I have been involved in - breaking the shackles of the classroom.

Harvey Norman - better value online

I was seeking to purchase a small refrigerator to replace an older unit; so whilst browsing local retailers, I decided Harvey Norman had the model I desired in stock, I could take a unit immediately home with me. 

Wandering through the Harvey Norman showroom, I decided to look at inverter split system air conditioners as October was warming up and summer was a mere two months away. Man, do I regret that decision. It took two months of phone calls, discussions and organising to finally receive my purchase - their attitude was appalling.

I support local businesses, I understand costs are higher as showrooms, salaries and supply chains all need to be paid for. But a bricks and mortar business competing with online sales must develop a competitive advantage, superior customer service is paramount, my experience is anything but good customer service. 

It is a shame really, I have been willing to pay higher prices as they employ Australian workers, but at what point do I cut my losses? Now is a good time to draw a line in the sand and no longer accept second rate customer service. 

From now on, the Harvey Norman showrooms will be the place to view the products in the flesh, gather technical specifications and measure sizes. Unfortunately, all future purchases will be online from their competitors as I am no longer willing to accept such shoddy treatment.

Exploiting Typhoon Haiyan for political gain

Greens Senator Adam Bandt's shameless politicisation of Typhoon Haiyan linking typhoons to global warming to the devastation of the Philippines is disgraceful. Just as he blamed the Sydney bush fires of last season on global warming, he is incorrect again. Despite the fact they were lit by arsonists, the fires burned out of control due to the fact that the area had not been burnt off in years, aided by strong winds and soaring temperatures.

Lets get this right, is he blaming soaring summer temperatures on global warming, ok, what about the cold snap of Europe a couple of years back - explain that? People have died, they have been left homeless and their lives devastated - he is using this as an exercise to justify his political leanings, that is, the carbon tax - this is an outrage.

Starting to feel a lot like Christmas

Summer is here, after a spluttering start with thunderstorms and rain during the first week, the warm weather is finally upon us - yippee. Local legend has it that Santa travels around the antipodean continent with a sleigh pulled by boomers, that is, large male kangaroos. He can forget the large coat and swap the trousers for a pair of board shorts.

It's December with Christmas now two and a half weeks away - the Jacaranda trees are in full purple bloom, always warming the heart of a Fremantle Football Club supporter. The WA Christmas tree is also in full flight with its distinctive gold flower blooming only in December, the Eucalyptus Erythrocorys Illyarrie is a local Mallee tree known locally as the Christmas tree.

Christmas is, of course, sun, hot summer weather and time spent outdoors. The notion of a white Christmas is totally foreign to me unless you spend the day at the beach; the white sand, brilliant blue hues of the ocean and contrasting dune cover makes a fantastic Christmas scene. I wouldn't have it any other way.

The reincarnation of Mitchell Johnson

The greatest sporting rivalry between nations is the Ashes, keenly contested since 1882 after Australia's first victory at The Oval in London, a mock obituary was placed in the newspaper decrying the death of English cricket.

Upon the following tour of Australia, with the English winning the contest, the bail from the wicket was burnt by a group of Melbourne women, placed in a small urn and presented as the death of Australian cricket - the legend was born.

In a previous Ashes contest in England, Mitchell Johnson was not selected due to injury and poor form in his two previous Ashes encounters - he was not even considered actually. However, due to injuries to Australian fast bowlers, Johnson was recalled to the Australian test team after some mediocre form in the one day series in England and India.

Despite the score showing the English winning the last series comfortably, the contest was close with English batsman Ian Bell the difference between the two teams. The return series, Mitchell Johnson is the difference with his match winning credentials on full display, if Mitchell isn't bowling, we are waiting for Mitch to bowl.

Mitchell the destroyer is in form, fast, mean aggressive form. Mitch is devastating the confidence of the English team with batsmen placing an emergency order for enhanced protective equipment with an Australian supplier for the rest of the series, he has already won the battle of the mind - he is intimidating.

Mitchell is either brilliant or terrible, there is no in between with this guy, we all wonder which Mitch will turn up on any given day. His first spell in the first test in Brisbane was wayward and expensive, then after a break the beast was unleashed.

Mitchell bowled the most inspiring spell of express pace short pitched bowling in an Ashes series since the legendary Dennis Lillee/Jeff Thompson combination terrorised batsmen in the 1970s. On a wicket build for pace and seam, Johnson was almost unplayable with the fear in the batman's eyes clearly evident.

In an era of fast medium paced bowling placing the ball outside off stump, Mitchell's aggressive short pitched bowling directed at the body of the English batsmen has rattled both English confidence and reputations.

Adelaide is universally known as a flat track tailor made for large scores before spinning on days four and five. This ground has been traditionally been the destroyer of fast bowlers and we were expecting a high score draw. England selected dual spinners of and Monty Panesar in anticipation of a slow spinning wicket while Australia maintained an unchanged quick line up.

Imagine everyone's surprise when Johnson ripped through the English batting bagging an unheralded 7/40, was he more devastating than Brisbane? James Anderson, a world class sledger decided to get a little lippy with Johnson after having his stumps smashed with a 150 kph lightning bolt, Johnson never utters a word - but that stare could freeze steam...

Sporting a handlebar mustache for Movember, the month of November is used to grow a mo to highlight men's health issues adds to his menace. Mentor Dennis Lillee recommended Mitch wear a gold chain to further add to his on-field presence reminding the English of the fast bowling heyday of the 70s.

We had expected Adelaide to be a dour affair on a placid pitch before Mitch and the rest of the pace attack head to Perth to further intimidate the English on the fastest ground in the world - the WACA. Roll on Friday.

The Perth Cup - a big day out

New Year's day in Perth is characterised by the top social event of the year; up to 35,000 people descent on Ascot Racecourse for a day of eating, drinking and celebrating at the Perth Cup. Perth's premier thoroughbred racing event is usually hot - really hot, with the mercury usually exceeding 40 degrees Celsius throughout the day, keeping liquid refreshments up is paramount to staying hydrated.

First run in 1887 over a distance of 3200 metres (2 miles); the race is now run over 2400 metres, the fun starts before midday with racing starting mid morning and afternoon usually living up to expectations. Prize money for the Perth Cup is now $500,000; sponsored by BMW, the first major social event of the year is universally loved by all.

Some choose to dress in a glamorous manner, others just plain funny, the social event of the year features fashion shows watched by fashion wannabes and by the fashion tragic. I have friends living in the northern hemisphere who inform me the Christmas/new year break is about winter and snow, for me, I enjoy summer and Christmas and new year on a hot summer day can't be replaced.      

Talent Show, partly owned by Fremantle Docker star foward Hayden Ballantyne and Nick Suban, took out the 2013 Perth Cup in a thrilling win, listed as an emergency earlier in the week and starting as a rank outsider Talent Show stormed home. 

Horse racing is a fun activity for a day out, it all comes undone though when a horse is injured, a damaged or broken leg is normally resolved with a bullet to the head. I suppose I still support the industry with my attendance at such functions, however, there is no rehabilitation for the horse.

As we are now heading into December, the summer racing carnival will soon be in full swing with the 2014 Perth Cup a little over a month away - looking forward to another big New Year's day out in the sun.

Greed is good according to 80s mantra

My favourite movie of the 1980s is Wall Street, directed by Oliver Stone - this movie pretty much sums up the 80s - the decade of excess. The contrasting moral values of Martin Sheen's character versus Michael Douglas' character - the age of materialism.

I first saw Fitzgerald's The Great Gatbsy as a primary school student watching the late movie on a Friday night, the black and white version portrayed the roaring twenties as not only the age of jazz but also decadence and misplaced idealism leading to the great 1929 stockmarket crash and ensuring depression.

Jay Gatsby, a bootlegger isn't much different to Douglas' Gordon Gekko, both characters ethics are questioned leading to the demise of capitalism in their era. Douglas' Gekko is loosely based on Michael Milken, the junk bond financier, leveraged buyout practitioner, inside trader and racketeer.

While undertaking business education, most students now require units in business ethics, corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Since Milken, corporate fraud led by Enron, WorldCom, HIH Insurance, One.Tel, Bond Corporation, Lehman Bros and Bear Stearns have lead to tightening of regulations. 

  The film was released in 1987, just months after the Black Monday stockmarket crash, (Black Tuesday in Australia due to timezone differences) of October 19 where markets declined 22% in the US, 41% in Australia and a whopping 60% in New Zealand.

"Greed, for lack of a better word is good, greed is right, greed works, greed clarifies, cuts through and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit."

I had been interested in financial markets and took a night class to learn the basics of share investment in 1988 gaining an introductory knowledge to the workings of equity markets. I also invested my own funds as both a trader and now as an investor. 

An individual is able to engage financial markets in an ethical and professional manner without undertaking fraudulent and unethical behaviour without having to rely on the government pension system. I only hope the ethics of the era are relegated to the history books and a new era of sustainability is upon us.

Spring is over - summer is upon us

Heading out to Kings Park on a sunny Sunday afternoon, spring had arrived in Perth, whilst only mid September, we knew we have plenty of rainy days ahead before summer officially starts in December, how wrong I was after the initial deluge.

Ironically, spring barely rained after the super wet September, it was then one of the hottest seasons on record, actually, the hottest in one hundred and sixteen years. With showers and overcast weather on the last day of spring before the heat of summer begins, I was somewhat bewildered or was that befuddled.

Anyway, I will be heading out in the afternoon to sail on the Swan River in 25 knot expected winds, looks like it will be fun. Up at Kings Park overlooking the Swan River throughout most of spring, families were out and about, concerts playing in open air, the feeling of rebirth filled the void left by the end of the football season and for some of us - grand final disappointment.

Kings Park is just as brilliant in summer as it is in spring, outdoor concerts, outdoor cinema, theatre in the park or just wandering around the parklands, wooded areas or the war memorial. My favourite is the outdoor cinema where you lay out on a picnic rug, a bottle of wine, food and watch a movie on the big screen under the stars.

Perth may not be the most cultured city in the world, nor is the entertainment precinct outstanding, but the isolation of the city offers the resident a relaxed lifestyle where hard work is rewarded - I enjoy every trip to Kings Park & bask in the happiness that the city has offered me.

The joy of study - is there really such a thing?

Strategic management doesn't necessarily need be dull colourless and boring - but generally it is. Sitting in Seminyak overlooking Kuta Beach is an ideal classroom to relate to the concepts and implementation of strategic management, I have to be reading something after all, so why waste my time on literature I sometimes think? You can only stare out at the sea for so long.

I can remember back to my mid twenties when I would work half to three quarters of the year and backpack the rest of the time. I would have anywhere from three to six months (I would generally choose six months) to enjoy life leaving the stresses of the mining industry that was my employment of choice back then. I took novels with me, seriously adding weight to my backpack, pouring over and analysing the writings of Maugham, Fitzgerald, Elliott, Dickens, Durrell and Hemingway at every chance.

No time for literature now, I'm mid forties and reassessing my relevance in the world of employment, hopefully succeeding so I can retire in another ten to fifteen years and once again enjoy the storytelling abilities of not only the masters but of up and coming writers plying their trade.

There is no joy in study, let's get that right firstly - there is a sense of achievement in completing a qualification, a thirst for knowledge realised, a financial gain for implementing structures and programs in your workplace and finally a sense of relief when it is all over. But joy in the actual act of study - hell no, there is stress, deadlines, quizzes, online tests, case studies to write and present and two hour written examinations to overcome.

Between dives at Malapascua Island, Philippines, after getting up in the dark to hit the water just as the sun rises to interact with thresher sharks, I am able to train my sub-conscious thought to Does the industry off attractive opportunities for growth? Given such a setting, preparing a case study isn't so stressful but I normally limit myself to preparing the notes and researching material, the actual writing is still done huddled around my computer at home late at night after finishing a day of employment.

What strikes me is the time taken to complete a unit, this was spread out over two overseas trips, Puerto Galera & Malapascua in June for two weeks and Bali in September for a week. This takes a whole bunch of time, effort and money but study in such environments lifts the stress component from the course and I have found flights and airports the perfect place to read and write notes - that is after all, down time anyway.

The case to privatise the Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is an Australian government owned organisation enshrined in parliament to provide broadcasting access to Australians.

Those who live in remote communities have particularly relied on the coverage of the ABC. Government services are important. I very much believe the government needs to supply services to the community when the private sector is unable to do so for commercial reasons.

I, along with many other Australians have lived in remote communities with nothing but ABC radio (Radio National) and ABC Television - that however was some time ago. These days, the choice of television networks in the bush are significantly improved.

When I worked in remote areas during the 1980s, choice was pretty much limited to the ABC - fortunately, that time has passed. Firstly, a review of the ABCs $233 million government contract to provide the Australia Network international television service is in order after sparking outrage by releasing alleged revelations of Australian phone tapping by intelligence agencies in Indonesia.

Furthermore, the government generally spends in excess of $1.2 billion per annum funding the broadcaster - this is expensive. As television and radio broadcasting is no longer a core role of the government, the ABC is competing with the private sector and should be considered for disinvestment and outright sale.   

One has to question the timing of the ABC release of spying claims to destabilise the newly elected Abbott government, the UK Guardian newspaper has been in possession of this information since May 2013. 

One also has to question the timing in regards to the official retirement former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the same week and the recent resignation of former Foreign Minister Bob Carr following their disastrous election campaign. 

Now neither can be held to account in the parliament, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's lackluster performance and change of heart in pursuing the matter is interesting to say the least. Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Tanya Plibersek is just plain farcical. 

Had this information been leaked in May, conveniently waiting until after the federal election when then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd actually authorised the alleged intelligence gathering, he could have dealt with the issue himself.

The attempt by the left-leaning ABC and ultra left UK owned Guardian newspaper to cause embarrassment to the newly elected Abbott government is breathtaking.

The intelligence documents provided to the UK Guardian by former National Security Agency contractor, Edward Snowden, was shared with the ABC and published triggering a crisis in Australia's sometimes stormy relationship with Indonesia. 

Mark Scott, the ABC Managing Director defended his decision to reveal top-secret information into the public domain for an incident that allegedly occurred in 2009.

Furthermore, Scott was also forced to defend (to a senate committee) the airing of an ABC television program including a photoshopped image of a prominent journalist having sex with a dog. The judgement of the ABC is once again called into question.

Ironically, I don't believe Scott has apologised for the image, nor has he revealed the cost of defending the legal action of defamation - taxpayer money used to defend highly questionable material.

Apparently he feels it shouldn't be published in the public domain, furthermore he believes an apology for the actions of the ABC while he was Managing Director is not in order.

Imagine Mark Scott's outrage when salary information of ABC staff was leaked to the media, apparently it is not in the public interest to publish such confidential information - bullshit.

But alas, the ABC wasn't hacked, they inadvertently sent the information to the office of a politician themselves - apparently incompetence is as rife at the ABC as poor judgement.

One has to seriously question both the motives and judgement of the ABC. The attempt to cause damage to the Abbott government not only betrayed the government but undermined the national interest - as a taxpayer-funded public broadcaster it is chartered to uphold.

The diplomatic furore has the potential to expand to the region as further revelations will undoubtedly arise, Russia has invited Indonesia to meet directly with Snowden in Russia.

The disdain of the left-wing ideologues is truly amazing, the Abbott government in its infancy has a serious diplomatic issue with its important neighbour, left leaning commentators are very open in their hope Abbott will fail, they will stop at nothing, including harming the national interest to realise their dream. 

Indonesia has suspended cooperation with Australia regarding the smuggling of illegal boat arrivals from its shores, the issue of people smuggling is not such an issue an in Indonesia, in comparison, the Abbott government is committed to stemming illegal arrivals. 

Abbott will be spending years cleaning up the mess left by the Rudd/Gillard governments - I hope he has braced himself for further difficulties, there seems to be booby traps and time bombs at every step.

Highly vocal Indonesian Foreign Minister, Marty Natalegawa, denied Indonesia conducted intelligence gathering by listening to the phone calls of Australian government officials.

Natalegawa's claims that Indonesia doesn't monitor telephones is clearly a false statement. The Abbott government is well aware of the falseness of the claim that is riddled with hypocrisy. 

Natalegawa has claimed Indonesia has downgraded cooperation with Canberra, one would presume that includes accepting the $500+ million aid program the Australian government provides Indonesia.

Of course, Australian involvement with Indonesian authorities for transnational crime, people smuggling, human trafficking and terrorism affects Indonesia directly, of course, we know Natalegawa is playing domestic politics for the upcoming 2014 presidential elections.

The former chief of Badan Intelijen Negara, Indonesia's national intelligence agency directly contradicted Natalegawa. Furthermore, in an extraordinary 2004 admission, Indonesia admitted to bugging the Australian embassy during the East Timor crisis, even trying to recruit Australian nationals as spies plus tapping civilian and military telephone calls - ouch.

Prime Minister Abbott's statement was technically correct as every nation conducts intelligence; he should not apologise for protecting the national interest of the country he was elected to lead.

Abbott maintained the long standing protocol of not providing details of intelligence operations. Abbott has handled the crisis well, negotiation is not conducted by megaphone in the public sphere (aka Rudd diplomacy) with commentary remaining minimalist.

Closely cropped vision of rent-a-crowd students burning Australian flags in front of the embassy is farcical, normally they would burn an effigy of Abbott, but alas, they weren't that organised.

Instead, they burnt paper flags churned out on a colour printer, others were drawn by hand, they couldn't even get real Australian flags organised.

Maybe we should just sell the ABC to Indonesia at a reasonable price - that should appease both them and us.

Diving the Monte Bello Islands

I loved my job in the early 2000s, I was a dive guide travelling up and down the Western Australian coast, together with our clients, we would charter boats to dive the remote reefs of the West Australian coast. This, of course was after the 1270 km drive north from Perth in our coaster bus, close to 18 hours driving up the sometimes desolate coast. Usually, a bus trip is much slower than a car trip as the passenger's needs to be taken into account such as multiple stops every two hours, the slower travelling speed of the coaster bus is a real bummer as well.

We made a number of trips to the Monte Bello Islands departing Exmouth at midnight; steaming all night, we arrived in the island group mid morning so after breakfast we would hit the water for the first of many dives. Dampier is a better staging post, however, our charter boat was Exmouth based. The Monte Bello islands are remote, very remote and that's why the British government sought to conduct their 1952 atomic testing program in these islands instead of Britain with a device installed in a decommissioned frigate slightly below the waterline. 1956 saw a further tests conducted on land with one device detonated at ground level and the second device detonated from a tower 31 metres above the ground.

The 25 kt atomic device was to simulate a ship mounted weapon, apparently a grave concern to the British government in the 1950s. Operation Hurricane was the first British atomic test conducted, whilst British scientists worked on the Manhattan Project, the tests were classified and information withheld, they were forced to conduct their own research program much to our disadvantage.

The fallout spread material across the continent as far as Queensland; strong winds at the time of the tests that were supposed to carry the fallout out to sea turned carrying the fallout onshore. Exposure is limited to one hour per day, signs are erected around the various beaches, unfortunately also the beach where we camped also recommended limited exposure.

Between dives, a tight group of people makes the down time fun, this was an excellent tour in a unique and remote part of the world accessed via Exmouth or Dampier, the diving and fishing is excellent. Contrary to popular opinion, there are no double headed fish, nor do they glow in the dark.

Back on board after the pre-breakfast dive, time to organise a feed while the crew (myself) refilled tanks ready for the next dive. I have to really complement the boat's cook, holding pots and pans steady as we navigated seas whilst producing amazing culinary fare under difficult conditions. We ate well with painted crayfish, fresh tuna and other magnificent marine fare caught during the trip.

The islands are now a marine park after the British atomic testing of the 1950s devastated the whole group. Half of Australia was contaminated with fallout, the tests at Maralinga were even more devastating for the environment and local aboriginal population.

Lenton Brae - a great family owned Margaret River winery

I love family owned wineries in the Swan Valley and Margaret River, of these, Lenton Brae is rated highly in my opinion. Whilst I have never been a drinker of Merlot or Cabernet Merlot blends there are notable exceptions of Voyager Cab Merlot and Lenton Brae Cab Merlot.

The wine making area with stainless steel vats and barriques stored outside, the bulk of the barriques are stored in the temperature controlled area directly under the cellar door.

Cellar door sales are the lifeblood of these small producers. Whilst Lenton Brae is found in many bottle shops and restaurants, they really don't supply the volumes the large distributors required for national coverage and tend to be overlooked purely because of volumes - this is unfortunate.

We had the luck of driving past after 4:30 and were surprised to find the cellar door is open until 6pm. Not only were we discussing their fine range of wines with the owner, she took us for a walk around the facility for a short tour.

I felt sorry for her because as she was showing us around; another potential customer came seeking a tasting but unfortunately missed her. She had left the counter unattended as it was so late in the day As she chased after their car, I admired her dedication - this time she just wasn't fast enough. This is what I love about small businesses, they try not to neglect any customer in a way that big business does even if she was unsuccessful this time.

French barriques grace this small family winery, they are not cheap with no change for $2200 and they need to be replaced every few years.

Kings Park wildflowers

Spring is almost over with summer is drawing closer, the wildflowers I viewed up in Kings Park in early spring are in full bloom. Spring is a romantic time of year, before the summer heat hits, the temperatures are pleasant and the sunshine craved.

We have been informed this was a warm spring with temps in the mid 30s; an amazing spring in retrospect, now as summer beckons, the jacaranda trees are in full bloom, Christmas trees will soon bloom as families prepare their festivities in the sun - it is a great time.

With the Swan River in the background, bees are busy collecting pollen, I am informed this indicates a healthy eco-system. Kings Park has a number of wildflower trails to wander around, the park is set up in geographical areas with many stunning trails. The park, perched on Mt Eliza overlooks Perth City with panoramic views of South Perth and the southern shore in the distance.

Fields of wildflowers greeted visitors, Kings Park boasts botanical gardens, natural bush-land and numerous parks, Kings Park is one of the largest city parks in the world eclipsing New York's Central Park in size. Spring is my favourite time to visit the park, Sunday's are bustling with activities with families enjoying the grassed parks for BBQs and picnics.

The Kangaroo Paw is endemic to the South West region of Western Australia; looking like the clenched paw of a kangaroo, the floral emblem of the state graces the state coat of arms. The Kangaroo Paw is an unusual looking plant; the flower is unique and whilst growing throughout the South West region, finds difficulty growing in new soils.

As a child, I loved these plants so went walking through the bush and pulled up a number of different species to bring home and plant in our garden, only to not survive. Strange for a plant that grows naturally in the bush.

Philanthropy in action - yet we still complain

In recent discussions regarding the generous philanthropic pledging of $65 million by Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest at my place of employment, I am left feeling somewhat disjointed.

A guy is giving away his riches, well half of it anyway with a $65 mill outlay just recently and is roundly criticised - how is this so? That isn't half of it, in the last two years - the Forrest family has donated close to $200 million. Normally the complaint of greed resonates around the office, yet a successful entrepreneur willing to donate substantial amounts is held in contempt.

The proposed PhD research scholarships seek to become an Australian version of the Oxford Rhodes Scholarship attracting leading international researchers to Western Australia. The recent wealth of Western Australia is based on iron ore and will remain so for the next few decades; the ability to attract research, investment and high calibre individuals to develop new industries post mining boom could drive the state economy of the future.

In Australia, the phenomenon known as the tall poppy syndrome is unfortunately alive and well practiced - resentment against those for being successful; they must be criticised and attacked for their achievements as they surely must have gained knowledge, wealth, status or position by devious and unjust means. In other words, if haven't I succeeded, they must be a crook - it can't possibly be me or my lack of endeavour.
Common conceptions or misconceptions of the Forrest family donation:

1. It is just a tax dodge. 
2. He gained wealth by unjust means anyway. 
3. Rich people are no better than poor people. 
4. He stole land and wealth from indigenous Australians. 
5. Twiggy used his position to unseat Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd over the mining super tax.

Inspired by Bill and Belinda Gates, Warren Buffett and the Rockefeller Foundation, hopefully the ultra rich in Australia can be motivated to increase charitable donations by people like Nicola and Andrew Forrest. The American elite have a greater penchant for charitable donations and philanthropy by their ultra rich, hopefully this attitude can catch on in Australia by individuals and corporations.

In response to such claims:

1. $65 million is a big hole in any set of accounts, it is a big sum to spend just to get a tax refund - better to maybe just spend the $65 million. There is of course a tax deduction involved but that is a secondary consideration. 
2. Twiggy was a former stockbroker who became the CEO of Anaconda Nickel after studying economics and politics at the University of Western Australia - hence the association with UWA. There are some pretty angry people who held Anaconda Nickel shares, no doubt about that. Andrew was a 1980s era stockbroker in the greed is good and anything goes era. 
3. No arguments here, there are plenty of rich people who are just horrible to deal with, my experience is self-made people tend to be approachable whilst inheritance tends to breed arrogance. However people with limited means can serve the community through volunteering, yet the people accusing Twiggy of impropriety should maybe start with looking at themselves first and start serving the community by joining volunteer bush fire brigades, old people's homes, homeless shelters, silver chain, meals on wheels and other worthwhile associations - you don't need to be rich to volunteer. 
4. This is interesting, Fortescue Metals Group is accused of offering low, the Yindjibarndi people are split in their support for the FMG offer. One could also argue to ensure everybody is happy, paying well above the market rates is the only way. Likewise, one group is negotiating, another group is holding out for more money - sounds like most corporate negotiations. 
5. Twiggy and Kev are on the record stating they are friends, they certainly have differing views on specific issues though, did Twiggy cause Keven to be dumped as Prime Minister? Julia Gillard, Wayne Swan, Bill Shorten and Mark Arbib were responsible for Rudd's downfall, Julia even came out stating her decision to knife Kevin was based on his political paralysis denying opinion polls were the trigger. Twiggy doesn't vote on the Labor caucus, that was all Julia and co.

Am I a fan of Andrew Twiggy Forrest? He has been linked to some questionable business ethics over the years, used lobbyists such as Julian Grill and Brian Burke, likewise, dealings with Kevin Rudd are destined to end in tears (Rudd was also linked to the disgraced former premier). He has certainly polarised a number of people, what you can't argue with is the fact that Forrest has joined the ranks of Gates, Buffett, Branson and other high profile billionaires to improve the world and our society.

HMS Sheffield Falklands sinking

I love diving shipwrecks, however, such wrecks usually come at a grave cost to human life. Whether you supported Britain or Argentina, the scale of losses is staggering for a 74 day conflict. Once the premier naval force of the world, the Royal Navy suffered some serious losses to shipping and reputation during the short conflict that will likely never be erased.

The HMS Sheffield was operating forward of the main fleet with two other type 42 frigates providing missile defense of the carrier taskforce when struck amidships by a single exocet missile fired close to sea level by an Argentinian fighter aircraft.

It is amazing a single missile has the capability to sink a warship, the naval engagements of World War II normally consisted of rival ships pounding each other with naval artillery or attack from the skies with 500 lb bombs destroying the superstructure and piercing deck armour.

By the time I hit the water, the wreck has been resting on the bottom for a considerable time frame with most evidence of human misery washed away, watching footage of the missile strike on the HMS Sheffield and the aftermath reminds me of the perils of armed conflict and why we need to avoid it at all costs.

Losses for the British naval forces include two destroyers, two frigates, one LSL landing ship, one LCU amphibious craft and a container ship. Argentinian naval losses include one cruiser (WWII vintage), one submarine, four cargo vessels, two patrol boats and a spy trawler.

The America's Cup - 30 years on

Its 30 years since the John Bertrand skippered Australia II defeated Dennis Connor's Liberty at Newport Rhode Island; after 132 years of dominance, the Americas Cup had been wrestled from the protective clutches of the New York Yacht Club. It was an epic series; legends were forged with folk law created in front of our eyes, the longest winning streak in international sport had been broken with an upset come from behind win. Was this the best series in the history of the America's Cup?

With the Royal Perth Yacht Club defending the cup in 1987, interest in the America's Cup was at an all time high with thirteen syndicates and twenty five yachts vying for the right to challenge Iain Murray's Kookaburra III. Dennis Connor, now representing the San Diego Yacht Club was ultimately successful winning the cup 4-0, then to be contested in San Diego. Having just attended the opening day ceremony at the Royal Perth Yacht Club, Australia II team owner Alan Bond reflected on his team's 1983 triumph and what it takes to mount a successful challenge through the Louis Vuitton Cup to win the right to challenge the defender.   

A key aspect of 12 metre racing was the establishment of fair competition between boats, although not 12 metres in length, the formula allowed experimentation and a certain amount of equalisation between boats without being a fixed class in nature.

Alan Bond spoke of his 1983 campaign where he paid his team members $12.70 per day, the current crop of sailors according to Alan are paid $300k per year with tacticians and skippers in the millions. The new style yachts are fast, really fast but seem to lack the degree of style the former class of yacht had. The new boats are targeting spectators in San Francisco bay recruiting professional crews, selling television rights and sailing yachts that are pleasing to spectators. But does this series lack a certain charisma? It is no longer country against country - Team Oracle had only one American sailor aboard, the rest are highly paid international crew.  

The series was a resounding success though, Team Oracle made a massive comeback to defeat the New Zealand challenge - it is just unfortunate the skipper of Team Oracle was a Aussie and the tactician an Aussie with five other Australians on board and seven New Zealanders, a Briton and a just single American.