I saw this piece in the Weekend Post (Cairns Post) of Saturday July 10 2010 -
"
A Victorian prisoner has won the legal right to be eligible for IVF treatment behind bars.
Kimberley Castles, 45, had begun IVF treatment before she was jailed for welfare fraud for 18 months in November 2009.
The mother of two took legal action against the Department of Justice when it refused her access to continue her treatment while in jail. Once Castles turns 46 in December, she will be[sic] ineligible for treatment at Melbourne IVF and her chances of falling pregnant drop each month.
During her trial her barrister accused Victoria's Department of Justice of breaching its duty of care and her client's human rights by denying Castles the right to continue IVF treatment while in custody."
I find it hard to work out where to start to express my opinion on this situation and will leave it at that.
Now I've been an Australian resident for over 30 years and a citizen for about half that, I decided I'd like to record some tidbits that cross my path from time to time.
Monday, July 12, 2010
More money than manners
At Ben Chuck's funeral there were 2 older couples that were obviously quite comfortable financially but their manners left much to be desired. Firstly they arrived with 2 folding chairs and expected to be able to move the other seats in order to set their own up. Then they decided to move from just behind us down to the front and set up their chairs in front of the front row and facing towards the middle! I couldn't believe the audacity and neither could a female funeral director who approached them and told them in very definite terms that it wasn't on. So once again they proceeded to move several seats in order to get in position their 2 folding ones for the ladies to use.
Afterwards I found them parked in the row of cars behind ours and they weren't prepared to wait for all the military personnel to leave first as instructed by the SES who were in abundance. There was a row of cars ready to leave when the word was given and they were all 4 in one car in the row beyond that and spent some time shuffling their car backwards and forwards, ignoring a traffic cone trying to stay upright, until they had the car ready in the direction of the road. The dear SES man directing traffic at that point had 2 broken feet and was in plaster - he deserved a medal for even turning out!
I've known a family as rude as these people before and our son once mentioned that he had known bird feeders with more depth ... I love that comment.
Afterwards I found them parked in the row of cars behind ours and they weren't prepared to wait for all the military personnel to leave first as instructed by the SES who were in abundance. There was a row of cars ready to leave when the word was given and they were all 4 in one car in the row beyond that and spent some time shuffling their car backwards and forwards, ignoring a traffic cone trying to stay upright, until they had the car ready in the direction of the road. The dear SES man directing traffic at that point had 2 broken feet and was in plaster - he deserved a medal for even turning out!
I've known a family as rude as these people before and our son once mentioned that he had known bird feeders with more depth ... I love that comment.
I'm glad I went
It's a few days now since Ben Chuck's funeral at Yungaburra. It was held near the boat ramp at Tinnaburra on Lake Tinnaroo. A red stage had been built out over the slope of the bank and 2 enormous marquees full of chairs were set up.
We were both very glad we went even though we didn't know the family. It was an absolutely huge funeral with the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Premier of Queensland, notable members of the military branches and hundreds of soldiers, some in civvies and some in uniform. The Chuck family members were so brave as those spoke of Ben, I'm not sure I could have done it but they probably felt it was the last thing they could do for him, so I would probably have felt that too had it been me having to stand up there. The gun carriage was so shiney and pulled by a khaki coloured Ford F250. Most attendees wore dark glasses, including myself. The gun salute was so loud and it ricocheted round the hills and across the lake and returned twice for each shot - quite amazing.
As the bearers lifted the coffin after the ceremony I was wondering why they faced out to the lake when they'd only have to shuffle round to leave the stage and then I heard the dull thud of a single rotor helicopter approaching and as it came into view it did a half circle over the water and came in so close that the ripples on the water only just stopped short of the bank. It hovered at little more than coffin height for a minute or two then dipped its nose in salute, flew a short distance backwards, turned and flew away. I lost it at that point, it was the most moving tribute one could wish for.
We were both very glad we went even though we didn't know the family. It was an absolutely huge funeral with the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Premier of Queensland, notable members of the military branches and hundreds of soldiers, some in civvies and some in uniform. The Chuck family members were so brave as those spoke of Ben, I'm not sure I could have done it but they probably felt it was the last thing they could do for him, so I would probably have felt that too had it been me having to stand up there. The gun carriage was so shiney and pulled by a khaki coloured Ford F250. Most attendees wore dark glasses, including myself. The gun salute was so loud and it ricocheted round the hills and across the lake and returned twice for each shot - quite amazing.
As the bearers lifted the coffin after the ceremony I was wondering why they faced out to the lake when they'd only have to shuffle round to leave the stage and then I heard the dull thud of a single rotor helicopter approaching and as it came into view it did a half circle over the water and came in so close that the ripples on the water only just stopped short of the bank. It hovered at little more than coffin height for a minute or two then dipped its nose in salute, flew a short distance backwards, turned and flew away. I lost it at that point, it was the most moving tribute one could wish for.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Funeral for a Commando
In one hour's time I'm going to the public service of the funeral for Pte Ben Chuck who was brought down over Afghanistan in a helicopter with 2 comrades who also died. Ben came from our neighbouring small town of Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland. The service is on the boat ramp at Tinnaburra and Prime Minister Julia Gillard will be attending.
This picture postcard town will be marred today by sadness. But the turnout of people attending this public ceremony will bring a determination that this life wasn't wasted as it is bringing residents and friends together in a common cause and a common pride. Ben's partner, parents and Commando brother will always remember him as a dedicated soldier who could commit to a cause and see it through.
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2010/07/01/116095_local-news.html
This picture postcard town will be marred today by sadness. But the turnout of people attending this public ceremony will bring a determination that this life wasn't wasted as it is bringing residents and friends together in a common cause and a common pride. Ben's partner, parents and Commando brother will always remember him as a dedicated soldier who could commit to a cause and see it through.
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2010/07/01/116095_local-news.html
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