Plastic or real Christmas tree?

Posted to Waverley Leader (22/12/2010) on 25/12/2010 at 3:10 PM
Commenting on "Plastic or real Christmas tree?"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/plastic-is-fantastic/

Adrian Jackson, buying a real Christmas tree also stimulates economy, too. A real tree is grown, watered, cut, sold, transported, etc. A real tree lasts more than more than just minutes - time taken to consume a cup of coffee.

A Christmas tree, real or plastic, is shared not by the purchaser, but also the family and friends. More money is spent on decorating it, electricity to run the lights, and it provides a place to put the presents. It gives many days of pleasure, provides a background to take photos with loved ones, and family members to gather around to share some wonderful memories.

Greg Male tipped to be mayor

Posted to Waverley Leader (14/12/2010) on 14/12/2010 at 4:26 PM
Commenting on “Greg Male tipped to be mayor”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/greg-male-to-be-new-monash-mayor/

I hardly hear about the Councillors - they don't appear in or write to the local papers, talk to the traders, or meet the residents

What do they actually do for the City of Monash, except asking more and more for their pockets? Do they know about the City budgets and the wellbeing of their wards

Councillors do attend Council meetings as a formality, but do they contribute constructively, except rubber stamping proposals or discussions? However, when election draws close, they tell the ratepayers what fantastic jobs they have done, or why a particular one should be chosen as the next Mayor.

Local Council is the lowest of the three tier-government system in Australia. While Council structure is not the same as the State and Federal Governments, Councillors are in a way politicians in the making / waiting. Get your butts off and start working for the ratepayers!

Why are there shortages of beds?

Posted to Your News, Waverley Leader on 1/12/2010 at 2:11 PM
Title: Why are there shortages of beds?
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/why-are-there-shortages-of-bedsr/

Ted Baillieu has a tough job ahead, not only on health reform, but also on hospital culture reform.

There are wards in some hospitals not open, tying up many beds. There are no doctors and nursing staff to service them due to lack of funding. If remains at status quo, these wards will never be opened.

When Brumby opened "additional" new beds in hospitals, old beds were shut down, and the staff were reshuffled. In fact, there were hardly additional beds opened during election time.

New wings or buildings of hospitals were not well thought out and lack accommodation. In addition, some hospitals placed unnecessary emphasis on certain racial needs, wasting valuable funding resource.

Like many public services, unused monies before end of financial years are spent on unnecessary renovation or replacement of furniture.

Gidley elated to take Mount Waverley

Posted to Waverley Leader (27/11/2010) on 27/11/2010 at 9:35pm
Commenting on “Gidley elated to take Mount Waverley”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/gidley-elated-to-take-mt-waverley/

Congratulations to Michael Gidley for your tireless effort to win Mount Waverley back for the Liberal Party. During the ABC election broadcast Michael said that Victorians were not happy with rises in utility bills, and wanted a change. I would like know how a Liberal Government and Michael Gidley can reverse the rises?

Healthy options for fussy eaters

Posted to Waverley Leader (22/7/2010) on 23/11/2010 at 1:43 AM
Commenting on "Healthy options for fussy eaters"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/healthy-options-for-fussy-eaters/

Children don't like to be told just to eat fruit and vegetables. Besides fun, they want to find out more!

Let them find out the names of fruit and vegetables. Maths questions can be set about the fruit and vegetable prices, per kg or per meal, discount calculation supermarket promotion.

Outdoor activities can include growing fruit trees and vegetables the organic way, and in biology lab by hydroponic. Combining with other sciences, children can learn about energy in joules, the chemistry of salt and sugar; classify them in terms of carbohydrate, protein, fat, acid, alkali, soluble and non-soluble fibres, various vitamins and minerals.

In English classes, children can have show-n-tell their trips to fruit and vegetable farms; present essays or short stories related to fruit and vegetables. To go further, act out in drama classes the fruit and vegetables characters.

Children should learn about the unhealthy effects of not eating enough fruit and vegetables. They should be shown pictures or documentaries on children suffering from various vitamin deficiencies, obesity; in extreme cases side effects that can lead to cancer.

Outdoor heaters charge mooted for Yarra businesses

Posted to Melbourne Leader (22/11/2010) 22/11/2010 at 10:24pm

Commenting on “Outdoor heaters charge mooted for Yarra businesses”

http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/outdoor-heaters-charge-mooted-for-yarra-businesses/

I have written two News items in the Waverley Leader and Melbourne Leader in regards to outdoor heaters. I’m glad finally someone has woken up to the fact that “external heaters are wasteful of valuable energy” and that “Customers should wear the proper clothing, and don’t be an idiot to eat in the cold”. I did “call upon all authorities to ban the use of external heating devices”.

Ban external heaters outside cafes 25/11/09 @ 02:35am

http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/ban-external-heaters-outside-cafes/

City Alfresco Style Dining 10/5/09 @9:53pm

http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/city-alfreco-style-dining/

Mulgrave Greens want tax review (Post 2 of 2)

Posted to Waverley Leader (13/11/2010) on 16/11/2010 at 10:13am
Commenting on “Mulgrave Greens want tax review”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/mulgrave-greens-want-tax-review/

It is always easier said than done. Promises are made by Party leaders and candidates during election time to lure votes, but once elected they seem to suffer from memory loss. They might as well come clean from the start and be honest to say that they are not miracle workers.

As consumers, we can complain or voice our dissatisfaction to statutory authority or customer service departments, and in many cases, actions are taken to rectify the problems. Unfortunately, we can't do likewise to a Government. We can't turn to anyone, including the Governor General, to reprimand or punish them for not keeping or delivering their promises.

We should not let these people get away with their false promises and lies. However, there is no way we can hold them accountable. We have to wait for 4 miserable years to “sack” them, and in many occasions, the alternative is no better.

Please don’t just vote for a Party; instead vote for the person who is going to represent you in the Parliament. This person should be a people person, a good marketer who understands your needs and wants, your circumstances, and earns his money for a good day’s work.

Mulgrave Greens want tax review (Post 1 of 2)

Posted to Waverley Leader (16/11/2010) on 16/11/2010 at 9:45am
Commenting on "Mulgrave Greens want tax review"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/mulgrave-greens-want-tax-review/

John Janetzki, if stamp duty is cut, what will replace the revenue shortfall? I hope you are not another politician who specialises in policy-on-the-run, and knows nothing about costing.

Daniel Andrew, please explain a bit more clearly what "the tax needed to be viewed in context" really is in simple, easy to understand everyday ordinary people language. Not only stamp duty needs to be reviewed, but also land tax - which is another rip-off. Superficially Australia is in tip-top shape; this may be true for the banks and big corporations, but many small businesses will tell a different story.

Courtney Mann, what are you going to do about "a whole generation of families who are being priced out of the area" if you are concerned about this? Do you have any idea what the Liberal party's policy is, or hasn't the party any policy on this?

Monash hospital fights fat

Posted to Waverley Leader (12/11/2010) on 14/11/2010 at 1:34am
Commenting on “Monash hospital fights fat”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/monash-hospital-fights-fat/

I get very upset when people use derogatively the term "junk food" on food items that could be good for the children if taken in moderation.

Anything eaten in excess will have undesirable effects, including the so-called healthy foods. Fried food can increase appetite, and may be used as a motivator and enticer for someone to consume his/her meal with other "healthy" foods.

Steam Dim Sims can be considered as a reasonable balance diet - the “skin” is made out of flour which contains protein and carbohydrate; the minced meat is protein; some may contain cabbage which is a form of fibre. The meat does contain fat, but the fat content in a Dim Sim would not be as high as that of butter being spread on a piece of toast.

I can't really see why Sushi be a much better food than pizza. The seaweed sheet is high in salt and possible iodine. While it may reduce fat intake, it increases the chances of high blood pressure, and causes side effects for iodine intolerant consumers.

Arson attack at Sussex Heights

Posted to Waverley Leader (13/11/2010) on 14/11/2010 at 12:09am
Commenting on “Arson attack at Sussex Heights”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/arson-attack-at-sussex-heights/

What a waste of money and firefighters' time and effort! Although it has never been mentioned in previous and this reports what psychological impact these fires have on the students, I suggest that the teachers should pay attention to the behavioural change in some students and significant change in their performance.

Has the school put in any preventative measures since the last fire on 24/10/2010? When the "arson" reported in this paper, I commented that "Prevention is better than cure. It's about time that all schools conduct fire-safe (not fire safety) audit to minimise / stop potential fire bug attacks.

The battle for Mt Waverley

Posted to Waverley Leader (9/11/2010) pn 9/11/2010 at 10:42pm
Commenting on “The battle for Mt Waverley”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/the-battle-for-mt-waverley/

The political party leaders and candidates should be canonised for their ability to perform miracles in short space of time - yes, all the promises of buckets of money for schools, road, carparks, hospital, housing, police, etc.

The Government and Opposition have four years each term to debate all these issues. They don't have to come out with all these ridiculous promises during campaign time to lure votes. A Government can do a lot without any prior promises - they just allocate the money for the abovementioned things during budget time and materialise them. That's a Utopian Government!

Why do the Opposition only open their traps during election time about what will do if elected? If any Opposition can demonstrate that they have the ability and ways to fix the problems and mess a Government create, speak out in the Parliament. Who won't change his / her voting preference if the Opposition can prove that they can do a better job?

Round-the-clock transport push for Oakleigh (Post 1 of 2)

Posted to Waverley Leader (1/11/2010) on 3/11/2010 at 5:03pm
Commenting on "Round-the-clock transport push for Oakleigh"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/round-the-clock-transport-push-for-oakleigh/

Greens candidate Eleanor Whyte, are you serious about what you meant that a 24-hour public transport service would decrease residents’ need for cars, reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions? How come with at least 18 hours a day of public transport being in operation, the number of cars on the road has not decreased and traffic congestion still exists?

Are you a public transport user yourself? You just don't make sense at all.

Round-the-clock transport push for Oakleigh (Post 2 of 2)

Posted to Waverley Leader (1/11/2010) on 2/11/2010 at 3:14am
Commenting on “Round-the-clock transport push for Oakleigh”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/round-the-clock-transport-push-for-oakleigh/

I don't respect people with silly ideas, let alone those with idiotic ones. How many people really use the public transport in the middle of the night, and how can anyone with a grain of grey matter in the brain propose the round-the-clock public transport system for Oakleigh?

The buses or trains from Oakleigh will have to go somewhere, which means the "somewhere" will need 24-hour system, and the destination from that "somewhere" will also need 24-hour operation.

In addition to running of the trains, what about manning of train stations (not that all the stations are manned at the present during opening hours)?

The number of people using public transport at these hours is so small that it is cheaper to have subsidised taxis fares, using Rolls Royce, for them. The proposal is policy on the run, and no cost analysis has ever been done before they open their "gaps".

Have these do-gooders ever observed how many people are using the public transport system during off-peak at present? Please don't let these candidates fool you in the next election. Money has to come from your pocket!

Police probe Sussex Heights Primary fire

Posted to Waverley Leader (24/10/2010) on 25/10/2010 at 9:12pm
Commenting on "Police probe Sussex Heights Primary fire"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/police-probe-sussex-heights-primary-fire/

Prevention is better than cure. It's about time that all schools conduct fire-safe (not fire safety) audit to minimise / stop potential fire bug attacks.

Monash dental care top notch

Posted to Waverley Leader (25/10/2010) 25/10/2010 at 8:56pm

Commenting on “Monash dental care top notch”

http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/monash-dental-care-top-notch/

Congratulations to all the hardworking managers and staff at MonaskLink's Dental Service. Well done, at keep up your good work.

(PS. I was a Board member at MonashLink Health Service 2000-2003, and enjoyed every minute of my involvement!)

Tireless helper at Syndal Softball Club

Posted to Waverley Leader (24/10/2010) on 25/10/2010 at 8:50pm

Commenting on “Tireless helper at Syndal Softball Club”

http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/tireless-helper-at-syndal-softball-club/

Pat Chambers, you should be called Pat Champion. What a model for all Monash!

Women-only pool float for Monash (Part 3 of 3)

Posted to Waverley Leader (19/10/10) on 24/10/10 at 3:28 PM
Commenting on "Women-only pool float for Monash"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/women-only-pool-float-for-monash/

I don't hate anyone because of one's beliefs, cultural background or holds different values. If one reads my posting dated 19 Oct 10 at 05:47pm, one can see that I'm advocating equality NOT the opposite.

As good citizens, we have to obey the laws and orders of the land. It is incorrect and inconceivable to say that one can do whatever one likes unconditionally - obviously one cannot wear a pair of shoes or pyjamas in the swimming pool.

I can't demand, as a taxpayer, that a train station be built just round the corner because I have to take a train to work in the city. My options are to drive, take a bus or walk for 40 minutes to train station.

Women-only pool float for Monash (pPost 2 of 3)

Posted to Waverley Leader (19/10/10) on 22/10/10 at 3:36 AM
Commenting on "Women-only pool float for Monash"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/women-only-pool-float-for-monash/

Nuha, it is your prerogative to choose to be a Muslim. If you feel uncomfortable to wear a swim suite now around men, then don't swim in a public pool.

Women-only pool float for Monash (Post 1 of 3)

Posted to Waverley Leader (19/10/10) on 19/10/10 at 5:47 PM
Commenting on "Women-only pool float for Monash"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/women-only-pool-float-for-monash/

I strongly oppose gender seggregation whether it is religious base or otherwise. This is a bad precedence for future argument about separate workplace offices, classrooms, buses, train carriages, taxis, restaurants, cinemas, hospitals and the list just goes on.

Imagine in a crowded train or bus, aren't women in closer contact with men? Will there be enough female gynaecologists to help pregnant women or deliver babies? I'm a Chinese by descent, and there are a lot of differences between my believes, values and the Australian way of life. I choose to be an Australian, and therefore I can't be dogmatic expecting the country / fellow citizens to change for me. I have to adapt or compromise to some extent. In the worst case scenario, I avoid!

If the women choose to walk 10km each week to swim at Kingston Council’s Don Tatnell Leisure Centre, let's be it. There are different modes of transport, or they can carpool with friends. On the positive side, walking is a good form of exercise.

Who pay for the $45,080? All ratepayers including myself do. I don't expect the Mayor or the City to waste my money in such proposal.

Seggregation spells the downfall of Equality!

Student protests at Clayton Monash University campus

Posted to Waverley Leader (28/9/2010) on 6/10/2010 at 5:16pm
Commenting on “Student protests at Clayton Monash University campus”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/student-protests-at-clayton-monash-university-campus/

Instead of wasting his precious time (life) demonstrating, why not ask the Uni. how a "model student" should behave, and then do according to the Uni's standard to gain entrance to the Malaysian campus. Behaving stubbornly, Steven wants the system to change for him, and yet he is not prepared to change himself. Self-centredness won't win the race!

It is easy to change the system if you know how the system works.

Fresh hit with Monash smoking plan

Posted to Waverley Leader (21/9/2010) on 26/9/2010 at 12:32am
Commenting on "Fresh hit with Monash smoking plan"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/fresh-hit-on-smokers-with-monash-proposal/

Where will the smokers go for their cakes or meals if smoking is banned in all indoor and outdoor compounds? Nowhere, of course, unless they give up their dirty, and unhealthy habit.

Rate rise rage with Monash CIV switch

Posted to Waverley Leader (24/8/2010) on 27/8/2010 at 2:53am
Commenting on "Rate rise rage with Monash CIV switch"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/rate-rise-rage-with-monash-civ-swtich/

Indifferent attitude was not an excuse. There were many meetings held to discuss the changes of the various rating system, and yet not many rate payers attended. The attendees were quite "docile", and did not raise enough in-depth questions to the consultants conducting the discussions.

Monash councillor Banerji to contest safe Liberal seat

Posted to Waverley Leader (26/1/2010) on 27/8/2010 at 2:10am
Commenting on "Monash councillor Banerji to contest safe Liberal seat"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/monash-councillor-banerji-to-contest-safe-liberal-seat/

It was a good attempt by Joy in Election 2010, but she needed to work harder! Kevin Andrews was a popular choice, and to win the seat from him, Joy should not just bank her resume for being the past role as Monash Mayor.

There are many arm-chair candidates in every election. Most voters have no idea who are running for the seats. The candidates cannot be bordered or too lazy to door knock to introduce themselves, despite their being preselected by their respective political parties months ago. Unlike Wyatt Roy, the 20 year old, youngest MP of Longman, many candidates do not make any genuine effort to change voter's voting pattern or intention, but to rely on preferences stated on the "how to vote" card.

Treading warily on path plan

Posted to Waverley Leader (5/7/2010) on 19/8/2010 at 2:08am
Comment on "Treading warily on path plan"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/treading-warily-on-path-plan/

The Workplace Safety Act 2004 stipulates that all stakeholders - shopkeepers, employees, Council, diners have a duty of care to the safety of the public. To avoid potential accidents, it is only wise to keep footpath to be used as it has been designed for. It only takes one casualty, for example, a pedestrian walking out of the footpath being knocked down by a car in the process of parking at the marked bay, to cost the shopkeepers / ratepayers heaps for insurance compensation.

According to Food Standard 3.2.3, Div 2, Para 3(d), "The design and construction of food premises must to the extent that is practicable – exclude dirt, dust, fumes, smoke and other contaminants." All cafes and restaurants that offer Alfresco dining experience essentially fail the test of the Food Standards Code. Diners breathe in exhaust fumes from motor vehicles, dirt and dust blown in from the street.

PM’s house not up for heritage listing

Posted to Hobson’s Bay Leader (6/8/2010) on 6/8/2010 at 10:52am

Commenting on “PM’s house not up for heritage listing”

http://hobsons-bay-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pms-house-not-up-for-heritage-listing/

Soon someone may suggest moving the house in Barry, Wales where she was born in to Fitzroy Gardens next to Captain Cook cottage. Sounds interesting, but it's ridiculous.

Dragon axed from Moomba

Posted to Melbourne Leader (22/2/2010) on 27/2/2010 at 2:11am

Commenting on “Dragon axed from Moomba”

http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/dragon-axed-from-moomban/

Isn't there a Chinese Councillor in the City of Melbourne? He is amazingly quiet about this matter!

Exercise hurdle for new mums

Posted to Waverley Leader (2/2/2010) on 4/2/2010 at 10:47am
Commenting on "Exercise hurdle for new mums"

http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/exercise-hurdle-for-new-mums/

I wonder what happened before the "invention" of gym, netball, tennis, etc. Were all the women over-weight? I also wonder what Dr Lombard means by slow and tiring jobs. Is it mentally or physically slow and tiring?

Too much emphasis and credit have been given to exercise by doctors and experts, thus making it the panacea of fixing weight problems. What is lacking in the grey matter in these professionals and fanatics are commonsense and the concept of self management / discipline. Weight gain is the consequence of excess food intake. If energy requirement and dissipation are reduced, one should consume less, no matter whether the food is cheap or tempting.

I have not seen a single obese resident in any aged care home; they hardly do any exercise, and the jobs they performed are slow and tiring (by their standard). So forget about those "expert advice"; start lowering your food consumption. Walking to the toilet, getting letters from the letter box, preparing meals, washing dishes, mopping the floors, wiping the tables and floors, brushing teeth, washing face, rubbing or scrubbing body in a shower, etc. are good enough daily exercises to keep your heart pumping and oxygen flowing.

$25m promenade plan for Swanston St

Posted to Melbourne Leader (27/1/2010) on 2/2/2010 at 12:20am
Commenting on "$25m promenade plan for Swanston St"
http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/25m-promenade-plan-for-swanston-st/

I've lost count of the number of times Swanston Street has facelifts and each time new promises to make it a better Swanston Street.

I'm not a fan of John So, but at least he was a de facto publicity machine to sell Melbourne, and probably attracted external injection of money to the City.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle does not keep his words made during the last election. Can you trust him for all his future promises, and of course include this $25 million project? Can he guarantee that there won't be cost blowout, just like projects executed by other fast-talking, bullshiting politics salesmen?

By the way, the International Education industry will experience a slump as from now on, mainly due to the change in government policies and partly the bad publicity on racism. This has a disastrous impact on the City usage by the international students, upon which the prosperity of the city depends so much on.

Crowd and congestion is a sign of busyness, and should not be viewed as a weakness. Would Robert Doyle, or yourself go to a restaurant with customers, or dead quiet like a graveyard? Unlike Bourke Street, Swanston Street is a major thoroughfare. Hands-off please!

Monash councillor Banerji to contest safe Liberal seat

Posted to Waverley Leader (26/1/2010) on 31/1/2010 at 11:14am
Commenting on "Monash councillor Banerji to contest safe Liberal seat"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/monash-councillor-banerji-to-contest-safe-liberal-seat/

Should Liberal win the next election, will Joy Banerji "assist the government in achieving some success" and "further their cause"?

A good politician should represent the people at large, not just to serve the Party. Will she be a good politician from her statement? You'll be the judge!

Property flat out

Posted to Melbourne Leader (25/1/2010) on 31/1/2010 at 9:48am

Commenting on “Property flat out”

http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/property-flat-out/

Raw statistics data don't tell lies, but the manipulators of statistics are the culprits. For example, a property situated in MyStreet, MySuburb worth $500,000 was sold, demolished and a new building built on the original site at a construction cost say $500,000, plus other costs of $200,000 (furnishing) would bring total cost of the new property to $1.2 million

If the new property was sold for $1.5 million, the property price database would record the property at MyStreet at MySuburb was sold for $500,000 and now $1.5 million. Without the facts and figures, one will jump to a conclusion that the latest sale price is 3 times the previous, but in fact the seller made only $300,000 out of $1.2 million investment.

What if the sale price was $1.2 million? Not only the seller did not breakeven, but also made a loss on selling commission, and loss opportunity of say putting money on something that gives a better return.

City flash mob worth 25k

Posted to Melbourne Leader (11/1/2010) on 12/1/2010 at 5:20pm

Commenting on “City 'flash mob' worth 25k?”

http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/all-gone-in-a-flash/

Obviously if kravan49's daughter-in-law got paid for the routine, she better loved every minute of it.

The bloody Council keeps wasting public money for idiotic publicity:

1. Logo $240,000 plus probably million to change stationery anderelated expenses

2. New Year celebration $1.5 m

3. Flash mob $25,000 for 4 minutes

Robert Doyle and his team of alike, start doing something to make Melbourne a drunk-free, beggar-free and homeless-free city. You are a selfish and pathetic lot!