A lot has been written

A lot has been written about the great Australian – all complimentary, all deserved. I was, however, saddened by the fact that somehow or other Peter Garret was there to politicise and lower the tone of the event. Since he politicized the Sydney Olympics I have had little time for the man. His mere presence insulted my sensibilities. It’s true, Australia isn’t perfect but any opening of closets full of skeletons should be debated and resolved in-family. I can happily handle, and even encourage opposing views, but to push a minority view onto the world stage that denigrates this great country, something the great Slim would never have done, puts the perpetrater in a bucket of slops to be thrown out at the first opportunity. Garrett read a message from Mandawuy Yunupingu, a member of indigenous rock band Yothu Yindi. “You were the first pioneer of reconciliation between black and white Australia,” it said. “The message in your songs brings harmony and balance between people and the land.” I’m surprised that Garret didn’t slip in a “and that mongrel Howard still wont apologize”. It wasn’t Slim’s way. I’m sure he didn’t think in terms of reconciliation. He was just singing to Australians – all of us. Garret, on the other hand, speaks for very few.