I did have planned a post regarding my summer series for January 2026 but the events of last night are too momentous not to comment on… The rules for the world post WW2 is, it would seem, are no more. Dwight D Eisenhower recognised after such a conflict that there needed to be an international rules based order i.e. big countries are not to attack smaller countries.

As the final notes of Auld Lang Syne fade and the fireworks settle into memory, we step into a fresh chapter—one brimming with possibility, purpose, and a little bit of magic. Here’s to the quiet courage of new beginnings, the joy of shared traditions, and the stories we’ll write together in the year ahead. Whether you’re dancing barefoot on the lawn, clinking glasses with loved ones, or simply taking a moment to breathe—it all counts.

22,000 Days is from the fabulous 1981 Album - Long Distance Voyager by The Moody Blues. It’s the perfect song to reflect on what is important in life as we cross from this year to the next…

2025 didn’t begin the way I expected. It arrived with illness, for the best part of three months, and it was the kind that forces you to slow down and rebuild your energy one careful step at a time. But once I found my footing, the year became, one of the busiest and fortuitously, the most purposeful of my career.

Here is one final song on Christmas Eve… “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was first introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM film Meet Me in St. Louis, and over the decades it’s been reinterpreted by countless artists—from Frank Sinatra to Sam Smith. Its gentle wish for comfort and joy has made it a timeless holiday anthem.

Here is an extra bit of Christmas cheer from Astrid Jorgensen and Pub Choir…

Here is a little something to warm the cockles of your heart. “Aussie Jingle Bells” is a playful Australian take on the classic Christmas carol, swapping snowy sleigh rides for dusty bush tracks, barbecues, and rusty Holden utes…

In the shadow of the current Ashes Test series between Australia and England, I thought I would recount the achievements of the architect of cricket in its modern form: Dr WG Grace. Born: 18 July 1848 in Downend, near Bristol, Gloucestershire, He came from a cricketing family: his brothers Edward (“E.M.”) and Fred were also notable players When we talk about sporting icons who shaped not just a game but a culture, William Gilbert “WG” Grace (1848–1915) stands tall—beard flowing, bat poised, and reputation larger than life.

James McCartney has been an active musician since 1997. As the son of Paul and Linda McCartney, he bridges two worlds: the legacy of The Beatles through his family, and his own quieter, independent path as a songwriter. Heaven is a rock track with a driving rhythm and optimistic tone. Enjoy… Heaven released a month or so ago, blends upbeat energy with reflective lyrics about striving, resilience, and the dream of reaching “heaven.” It showcases his songwriting and production skills, with James himself credited as both writer and producer.

So, I thought I would ask AI to create a comic strip based on me looking for answers. This is what it produced: I think AI nailed it: from the first scene of not having a clue to the frustration of trying the interweb without success, then falling back on old methods such as searching through books to finally calling out to the universe 😉 Enjoy your Sunday - or Saturday in another part of the World 😊😊😊

Many years ago, I listened to an interview with Jimmy Webb during his tour of Australia regarding his life and the great songs he wrote, including a number of these for Glen Campbell. One such song, Wichita Lineman is a timeless classic…

There are places that feel less like shops and more like living rituals, a homage. Whistler’s Chocolate Company in the Swan Valley is one of them. My recent visit found some new surprises: The Fairy Playground - this is something to see in person. The more you look, the more you find. Each time I visit Whistlers and step inside, I’m not just there to buy chocolate, but to step into an amazing display of creative wonder.

Released in May 1967, Waterloo Sunset quickly became one of The Kinks’ most beloved songs, written and produced by frontman Ray Davies. At just over three minutes long, Waterloo Sunset captures something far larger than its length: the quiet poetry of everyday life, the romance of the city, and the solace found in watching the world from a distance. The song’s narrator gazes out over the River Thames, watching two lovers—Terry and Julie—cross Waterloo Bridge.

C.Y. O’Connor is widely regarded as one of the visionary nation-builders of engineering history. He lived in the golden age of civil engineering, when massive bridges, canals, and harbours reshaped nations. His achievements can be considered as standing alongside figures like Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Gustave Eiffel, John Coode and John Monash…

When the Edmund Fitzgerald sank beneath Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, it joined thousands of other Great Lakes shipwrecks. But less than a year later, Canadian musician Gordon Lightfoot ensured that this particular tragedy would never fade. His ballad, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” released in August 1976 on the album Summertime Dream, became a worldwide hit—reaching No. 1 in Canada and No.

This week, Silvio and I attended the The Australian National Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Congress in Bendigo, Victoria to review and discuss the latest national rail and road projects, trends regarding EVs and AVs, keeping asset management simple, how to better predict the freight task and improving road safety.

Ace Frehley reminded me that rock isn’t just sound: it’s myth-making. It’s ritual. It’s the shared belief that someone in silver boots and starry makeup can make us feel infinite.

Today, I’d like us to look at the Quadrant Reflections Map, a guiding framework we can use to thoughtfully close out this year while also laying the foundations for the next, and for the years beyond. Overview

One of my favourite pieces by a composer is Nigel Westlake’s Penguin Ballet… The man himself Nigel Westlake (b. 1958) is one of Australia’s most celebrated composers, conductors, and musicians. His career spans more than four decades, weaving together film scores, orchestral works, and chamber music that have touched audiences worldwide. From the whimsical charm of Babe and Paper Planes to the lyrical beauty of Miss Potter and the recent Blueback, Nigel Westlake’s film music has become part of the film landscape.

It’s that time of year again—when the humble moustache becomes a bold banner for men’s health🥸 The fabulous Groucho Marx sporting one of his many different moustache styles. As he once said “I never forget a face, but in your case I’ll make an exception.” Movember isn’t just about growing facial hair (though let’s be honest, some of us will be rocking questionable styles by week two).

As many of us know, Old Hallows’ Eve—better known today as Halloween—is the evening of October 31, the vigil before All Saints’ Day (November 1). It blends ancient Celtic traditions with Christian observances, evolving into the modern celebration of costumes, trick-or-treating, and community festivities.

The Lonely Bull is the sound of a trumpet reaching beyond borders, and in doing so, it gave the world a melody that still resonates more than 60 years later…

“Pie in the Sky” is a British comedy-drama that blends cosy mystery with culinary charm, following Detective Inspector Henry Crabbe as he juggles police work with his dream of running a restaurant. Richard Griffiths as Henry Crabbe Pie in the Sky ran for five seasons over 1994 - 1997. It is notable for its warm, character-driven storytelling, its mix of crime-solving and gastronomy, and its exploration of the tension between duty and personal fulfillment.

Our House by Madness is more than a hit single — it’s a cultural touchstone. It represents the joy and chaos of family life, the wit of British pop, and the global reach of the 2-Tone Ska movement. Its chorus has become part of everyday language, ensuring its place in popular memory. Enjoy - Madness then… We should enjoy Our House because it captures something universal: the messy, noisy, affectionate chaos of family life.