Same sex civil union in Australia
December 7th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Open letter to Stephen Smith MHR Member for Perth
Wed 7th December 2011
Dear Stephen
I would urge you to share the following video and transcript with your cabinet colleagues and by doing so, to make representation on my behalf.
Remarks in Recognition of International Human Rights Day
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Palais des Nations
Geneva, Switzerland
December 6, 2011
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/12/178368.htm
I have many friends on both sides of this debate but as a heterosexual male, I would like to see my gay and lesbian friends and colleagues treated with equal respect and dignity in this country to those rights which I am afforded by marriage to my partner.
Many of my friends with deeply held religious convictions are of the belief that marriage is a sacred rite, and as such, civil unions would appear to be a way to pay equal respect to these concerns.
I would add that if we are keen to follow America’s lead in matters of selling uranium to India, then surely we can also follow Secretary of State Clinton’s lead on the issue of human rights in our own country.
I thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely
Alex Millier
Qantas – Not giving musos a fair go with cabin baggage
November 22nd, 2011 § Leave a Comment
excerpt from “The Drum” on ABC TV originally broadcast on Nov 22nd 2011.A link to this on iView can be found here (Australian residents only).
Musicians are tired of arriving for flights and being told their valuable musical instruments are not compliant with cabin baggage restrictions when they actually are. Repairs are expensive and should the instrument have be checked in, it is likely to be damaged rendering it unplayable on arrival.
This situation is unacceptable to those of us in the music industry. Qantas should remember that a campaign to bring public attention to United airlines treatment of guitars went viral on youtube.
Song QANTAS – You’re not giving musos a fair go (please excuse my excrable singing).
Mondo Markets 2011
August 25th, 2011 § 5 Comments
- The Mondo Markets
- Freshly made Empanadas
When:Saturdays (spring only) 8am to 12.30pm
Where:Corner of 6th Ave and
Beaufort Street, Inglewood
What you will find;
Freshly brewed Essenza Coffee, New Norcia bread and pastries, Helen’s Hellish Olives, Karrimah Farm Chilli Sauces, Suzanne Saldahna’s coriander chutney and newly arrived to the markets, Marcela and Matt’s freshly made Colombian Empanadas!
Other attractions include the famous Mondo Mega Meat Sandwich to set you up for the day!
And of course there’s live music ranging from European folk to light jazz. Come down to get your little taste of Europe tucked away in suburban Inglewood.
Music groups
Nov 26 – Accordionista Nikki Dagostino
Dec 3 – Zucchini Brothers (Accordion, guitar and double bass)
- “Just Sax” at the Mondo Markets
Open letter to Troy Buswell
August 9th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Dear Mr Buswell,
My wife is a regular peak hour train commuter on the Midland line at Maylands station.
I am seriously concerned for her safety in the crush to get onto the overcrowded trains that arrive at that station in the mornings.
I am worried that she may get caught in the closing doors, be injured by others crushing to get onto the train or simply miss the train and be late for work.
She would like to support the need for less road traffic congestion in Perth, but I am seriously concerned for her personal safety at Maylands Station. What are your plans to alleviate this dangerous situation in the short, medium and long term?
I urge you to address this serious safety issue as soon as possible before someone gets hurt.
Yours sincerely
Alex Millier
Maylands
Great cities have great orchestras
July 25th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
If ever you needed proof as to why the Arts in all their forms matter in Australia, have a look at this uplifting video of the inner workings of the Sydney Opera House, set to the music of Nick Cave and performed by some of the many performers at Sydney’s iconic masterpiece.
Historian Geoffrey Bolton, a former WA Citizen of the Year and emeritus professor at Murdoch University, said posterity would severely judge “a generation of provincial philistine pygmies” http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/05/23/3224295.htm
Although referring to the parlous state of affairs with reference to Arts funding in Western Australia, Professor Bolton’s comments could well be applied to those considering drastic cuts to the full-time membership of Orchestra Victoria.
An appalling decision to close the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) in 2008 was averted after concerted political pressure and lobbying from the public.
Melbourne takes pride in itself as a major cultural centre of Australia. So how can it be possible for two of its major arts institutions to have been threatened with major cuts or closure? What lessons have been been learnt from the ANAM debacle?
I hope Victorians and the wider Australian arts community rally together, write to and visit their local members, contact mainstream and social media in order to voice their outrage at proposed cuts to Orchestra Victoria. It can and DOES make a difference if you do.
Let’s band together to help ensure a positive outcome for an important part of Victoria’s cultural fabric.
Make a start by joining the facebook group devoted to this cause.
