MAMBO 'REDNECKS'

   This was a 'Mambo T-Shirts' fundraiser in the hope of combatting the ill considered political stances of Pauline Hanson MP from Queensland [noted as a fish n chip shop operator for one reason or another] following her 'maiden speech' in Parliament. Then came her notoriety, the 'One Nation' political party and the colourful characters such populist movements attract... opportunists, people with strong views that don't feel they've been heard and people with ambition that's been unrewarded elsewhere AND the vocal minority who believe the stuff Hanson stands for

   To put things in context this is also a critical period for Australia's current debacle around asylum seekers. Pauline Hanson's speech was a divisive commentary on indigenous 'advantage' and the handouts culture that means there's preferential treatment for indigenous people. It was a complete misreading of the situation in Australia, filled with common misrepresentations and appealing to a base of people who believe foreigners 'take our jobs,' are part of a welfare culture, threaten Australians way of life and need to "love it or leave it" or put a "f%$# off we're full" sticker on the back of the ute. These are people who celebrate that our soldiers fought and died for our flag by slapping it on boxer shorts, thongs, towelling hats and stubby holders... oh, wait am I unfairly stereotyping?
   Anyhow it's this voter block and movement who mobilised the right of the Liberal Party to find an enemy in 'boat people' and 'illegals' and whose perceived influence has driven both our major political parties to dehumanise people, create severe mental health distress and to once again incarcerate children in the name of 'stopping the boats.' Others assert that when KRudd softened the policies, the 'business model' of the people smugglers was back up and running. Again in the name of common sense or the hope that nobody gets in a boat or because we are unable to offer an alternative solution that's been shown to work... people support human rights abuse as a deterrent. That's crazy... the hope is that cruel processes are the ultimate deterrent... not in my name folks!!

- Spend the diplomatic energy on resolving the conflicts that cause people to flee in the first place
[low chance of ultimate success, but the right kind of energy to spend as a nation]
- Properly fund processing through the UNHCR and genuinely hold Indonesia and Malaysia accountable
- Strike sharing agreements with other than poor small island nations
- Recognise that 98% of those who are in detention are eventually found to be genuine refugees
- Be aware of the 10 Myths relating to these issues here
- As churches offer to billet children so they are not in detention [oh wait, someone's made that offer]

And
While we're at it maybe we could address the aspects of the Northern Territory 'Intervention' that go beyond helping and begin to rob indigenous people of the identity and empowerment to make a different future

 

Randwick "Rolls Royce of" Rugby [Union]

   I'm sticking with the Rugby Union theme for another week... with this prized t-shirt!! It goes along with a Randwick Playing Jersey and Cap from the early to mid 1990s... a golden period for the Club.
   When I first became interested in Rugby Union the Wallabies were beginning to challenge the All Blacks more regularly through Tony Shaw, Greg Cornelson and an array of back line talent. At the same time a stunningly good Australian Schoolboy team under the coaching of Geoff Mould went on an undefeated tour of the UK/Europe and included a number of young blokes from Matraville High School amongst the usual smattering of Sydney and Brisbane GPS School representatives. A striking memory of that tour was the number of games played in complete fog. One on the weekend sports programs showed the team disappearing on field into that fog and reappearing at the end of the match and no footage of the game was available... It was the 1977/78 side which included players like: Glen, Gary & Mark Ella; Wally Lewis; Michael Hawker; Tony Melrose and even local Dominic Vaugh from the Waratahs Newcastle.
   Schoolboy representation is no certain path to the Wallabies but the Randwick club benefitted from a whole generation of talent when you toss in Lloyd Walker and others.
   Then came David Campese, Simon Poidevin and the list goes on... I still fondly recall my day at the SFS in the late 1990s and 'that try' scored by Chris Latham who handled several times in a movement started from a looped pass 'in the tackle' by Campo and stretching the length of the field!! Just too good...
   Thanks to entry courtesy of Tom Towers I enjoyed the Club's post GF celebrations back at Coogee as well!!

   In recent years the Wicks have been up and down, with player equalisation from the Super side, Sydney Uni with degrees and postgraduate studies on tap coinciding with their old boys volunteering to sort the place and some expert coaching... leading to several premierships in a row.

   The Club can also be a bit self seeking as I recall in some years we played Randwick trials that for them was a scouting and recruiting trip as there might be more Stuart Pinkerton's up here!!

   So, in short, the running game, the club history and the characters it creates are all part of fond memories of Randwick!! The galloping greens!! I am still a member of the Club!!
 

Wanderers Fourths "Just Run It"

 
   In the mid 1990s when I started my long and enjoyable stint in Rugby Coaching there were a mixture of things I had learnt [and continued to learn] from my experiences as a player, from playing under other coaches and from everything I knew about 'teaching' and hanging around with a bunch of rugby players in a club with a strong identity.
   Lower grade teams need some extra effort in team building... you have a mix of 'old heads', players who feel they should be playing up higher, youngsters with talent, others just learning and you usually have more than you need any given week, until it gets cold and deep into the season. You have to manage people getting 1/2 games or 20 mins, the fact that it being a game for people of all sizes, some positions require bulk etc etc
   In this particular year I thought 4th grade wasn't particularly valued by other grades and we were all packed into a training ground where 4ths were left with the dodgy corner. One way of growing a unique identity was to strike a t-shirt celebrating 4ths and adding our club philosophy of "just run it"... The cartoon was our 1991 World Cup winning Wallaby front three that I kept from a book or magazine at the time... It features right to left, Tony Daly, Phil Kearns and current Wallaby Coach Ewen 'The Link' Mckenzie and became a sought after item only available to those with our squad for a while!!
   It sits on my trophy/memorabilia shelf with some other cups, shields and mugs...
Our traditional rivals The Slime and Maitland were tough to overcome and Uni gave us grief but it was a rich decade of 4th Grade premiership tilts that we all enjoyed!!
   I share it this week as I sign on to give some time to the Club helping others to deliver on 'player welfare' and the Prez and I head off to the two day 'Mental Health 1st Aid' Course!! I look forward to assisting 'House Captains'  in delivering some significant "Tall Tales" with food and beverages during the season!!

'Ferrari'

   Probably in the top few for brand recognition [alongside the All Blacks, Man United] the red t-shirt is synonymous with Ferrari and motor sport. This is also the simplest 'fancy dress' costume I've ever worn...
   My brother in law's birthday party had a German theme so I chose to go as Michael Schumacher [and so sorry for him and his family and friends that he is so gravely ill]. So to be clear, I wore my normal jeans, joggers and t-shirt which in this case happened to be red with the Ferrari stallion logo on the front. I used to have a Schumacher cap but just had a generic Ferrari one for the occasion... and left it in the car!!
   Since starting this blog it's a reminder to enter this t into the rotation alongside my predominantly black t collection!!

Midnight Oil "One for the Homeless"

   You might add two nights at Newcastle's Palais in Hunter St West to the list on this shirt!! 24th and 26th March 1991 served as warm ups for the 'One for the Homeless' Benefits and the Palais shows were amazing!! Seriously they were up there with Selina's at the Coogee Bay Hotel but not quite Sydney's Capitol Theatre.
   It was a strange venue with side metal rails and the bar along the wall, a former dancehall and later the beginnings of 'The Loft' youth venue. It was run down, hot and uncomfortable, but yet we sat on the floor waiting for the Oils, I can't recall a support act that night, might have been a DJ...
   This shirt reminds me of 'The Oils' whole organisation revolving around a Foundation and a range of worthy causes coordinated as part of their efforts in 'giving back' from Glebe Point Rd upstairs... and it reminds me of the chore that was being an Oils support act. It was an endearing feature of the passionate crowds that a few songs would be tolerated and eventually the mob would begin to chant "Ooooiiills Ooiillss!!" and drown out many a talented performer.
   At the Enmore Theatre for 'Scream in Blue' live album the band even sought applause for 'Tall Tales & True" after their opening salvo, recognising that the chant had started early and even the band tried to placate fans by claiming their own Oils fandom. I think 'Horsehead' heavy rock band were booked for Coogee one night because they might be loud enough to drown it out... instead one punter was so loud and insistant that the lead singer challenged him to take it out to the car park and threatened to throw a beer can at him mid song.
   'Nitocris' did well the most frantic night I've ever experienced at the same venue and 'Diesel' was stunning the last time I saw them live at Manly before Peter left the band [before WaveAid and Bushfire Relief brought them back] His sound was crystal clear and his vocals haunting... it was a celebration of contrast upstairs at Manly Leagues and it was the night I knew it was all over... just something about the vib and the best I'd heard the band for a couple of years.
   Back to the Palais, it was a night with a few friends and a chance to introduce a few mates to the genuine article live... they thanked me by shouting a ticket to the second night!!
 

"Stark Industries" The Ironman

   Tony Stark isn't happy to discover that his weapons and technology are for sale to the highest bidder and he attempts to shut down that part of Stark Industries while needing to maintain his own work to ensure the electro magnetic dynamo in his chest prevents his death... a brilliant acting performance from Robert Downey Jnr makes this corny series of films work!! 'Ironman' is also a great vehicle for Gwyneth Paltrow... Pepper Potts is a great character. As a Redbubble t-shirt this one is a bit disappointing, it's dulled a bit quickly and is not a genuine size BUT I still wear it in between seasons and look fwd to it fitting a bit better this year... It is one that's starts shop counter conversations though!!

'THINKING... Please be patient'

   There's a 'Tropfest' film story in the way I live my life in hindsight!! Part questioning confidence, part focused on listening and taking time to process what's really being said and part only figuring out the BEST response after the fact!! Whichever it is at any one time I thought this was a great t-shirt to sum up what needs to be in front of people when they encounter me... I especially wear it to meetings... things said that annoy, that I know I want to question but am not 100% sure why or how, great ideas that should be encouraged etc etc...
   The main tools to overcome this challenge involve inviting people to say more about their idea, opinion or thought [except in some cases where inviting people to stop talking would be better allround]... things like...

What's you answer/suggestion/worry/thought?
What makes you say that?
Tell me more about that?
If that is the problem, can you hear what others are saying?
If you see it that way, what do you see as the way forward?
What do you think makes the others see it their way?

I would write more, but I'm going to save this post and edit it again later...

Wanderers Rugby Football Club

 
   With the Wanderers Rugby Club celebrating 90 years it's a fitting time to pull out this gem from towards the end of my coaching stint... a highly successful era and year for the Club which prides itself on Club Championship alongside any individual grades success!! Rugby players mostly enjoy running with the ball and we made not only a motto of this but tried really hard to play an attacking brand of footy with the usual 4th Grade blend of youth, experience and dinosaurs!!
   At every opportunity in my player coach days I reminded higher grade players that these Grand Final experiences meant just as much to lower grade players. One Presentation Night I did describe lower grade rugby as being like "sex with one arm tied behind your back... it looks kind of familiar but somethings not quite right" It got the appropriate level of laughter and "what did he just say"...
   It's a sport, a game played by people of all shapes and sizes and it's full of life lessons. Preparation, teamwork, adversity, injury, different personalities, the contest, handling referees...
   I look forward to involvement with the Club again this year in relation to player welfare and helping out with a few aspects of what it means to participate in such a great Club...

Canterbury Clothing Company of New Zealand "Rugby"

   There was a time when 'Canterbury of New Zealand' was the only rugby union jersey to wear. Before fitted ones they were strong, good sizings and the right sized collars and sleeves width and length... there were quality 'uglies', teams jerseys, shorts and also t-shirts. The photo on this t-shirt is a famous All Blacks image the featured in the 1990s in b&w and this harlequin style as a celebration of the brands history. I loved this t-shirt because it was the sport I played and celebrated the best team playing it by a long stretch. In recent times the Wallabies and others have had their moments and Rugby World Cups have been won by others. This was just the perfect t-shirt to keep your mind on preparartions for upcoming seasons through summer and was a great conversation starter so you could share anecdotes everyone had heard before many times, just by some poor innocent asking a question about the photo!!

NFL Gridiron American Football

   Tomorrow is Superbowl XLVIII and yes normally I'm the last person to celebrate over the top USA cultural 'Manhattanisation' BUT this is a celebration of the best and worst of that all rolled into one Football Grand Final.

Yes It's:

- Called 'The Big Dance'

- Classic grandstanding to be called 'World Champions'

- A day of drinking games and heart attack inducing food in the US

- It's a difficult game to follow

- a game worth billions of dollars and top players earn millions

- The advertising spots are the world's most expensive to make and to show

- The halftime shows waver between a huge yawn and amazing spectacles

- The show at which Janet Jackson flashed a bare breast to a worldwide audience

- They stop for commercial breaks

- Concussions and illness later in life are a serious consequence

- Yada yada yada...

   It's a relatively short season of an interesting hybrid game invented from Rugby Union and I watch it all season on Foxtel or free to air and have done for as long as it's been on Oz TV.

My team is 'The Raiders' of Oakland/LA/Oakland though I have cheered for other sides over the last 20 years in lean times for the 'Black and Silver'

   I liked Dallas, Washington and San Francisco of the late 1980s and early 1990. I have enjoyed watching NY Giants, the Manning led Colts and the Patriots in recent years!! I don't know who to cheer for tomorrow in the Denver Broncos v Seattle Seahawks match up. I ill enjoy my beverages and lunch regardless!!

   Both these t-shirts were purchased in the US on seperate trips to NYC. The Jets at a dedicated store, the Raiders at Niketown on sale. I did come back from one trip with 13 new t-shirts... too many!!

   The Yanks love their sports played in regional Divisions and Conferences that date back to seperate competitions that have then agreed to play a Grand Final and interweave games during the year. It builds traditional rivalries and some teams can spend years trying to surpass a rival in order to have a crack at higher honours. It does rule out certain GF match ups as only the top teams from the AFC and NFC can play each other in the 'Superbowl.'

   The game is like chess and has tactics to match. Time in posession of the football is critical amd teams can get out to significant leads but be run down by teams who then keep the ball for several 'drives' into the opposition territory and attempts to score 'touchdowns.' A small number of Aussies have played at this top level, most as kickers.

   The Raiders have built a reputation on a working class image but an ethic of 'excellence' and there is no better sports uniform colour than black. Years ago they sold many times more merchandise than any other team.

   The NY JETS shared 'The Meadowlands' in New Jersey with the NY Giants and now a new stadium which plays host to this years game. Sadly neither team really looked like playing in this game at home.

AND in this years SUPERBOWL it's NFL royalty in Peyton Manning vs a new kid on the block in a Seattle side who will give it a big shove. The media love stories, labels, talk of legacies and key moments and Manning has missed out to close rivals Tom Brady and the New England Patriots when he was at the Colts, but this year has been amazing at Denver post Tim Tebow. So the narrative around Manning will be his comeback from neck surgery and those times he's missed out and whether those misses or this and other successes will be the story after his career.

   Seattle are flashy up and comers with a modern looking Nike uniform, trash talkers and some skilled individuals not so well know here in Oz. They'll play different styles of football and it could be experience vs nerves or one side having peaked and the other bringing surprises. Seattle did a great job to get past the 49ers and into this game!!