But hypothetically, IF the Japanese had successfully invaded and colonised Australia in the second world war with a surrender date of, say, June 1^st, 1943:

After a subsequent migration of millions of Japanese taking over the cities and all the best agricultural land, by force, would the pre-June 1, 1943 population and their successors enjoy the Japanese celebration of that invasion and settlement on every subsequent June 1st?

By all means let's celebrate the achievements post 1788, but let's move it to a less controversial date.

As I lay awake upon my comfortable chiropractic king-sized bed on a hot December night at my Eastgrove mansion, the blind up, the curtains apart, watching the lights of dear old Goulburn town, my mind is turned to the beginning of the 20^th century, about the time that poem (Dear Old Goulburn Town) was written.

Goulburn was a booming metropolis [and] a real city of refuge for those, in these then prosperous times, who were down on their luck.

How welcoming: a warm room, hot meal and comfortable bed after alighting from the train at Kenmore platform to go to Kenmore Mental Hospital, after perhaps years of destitution and no real permanent home.

Perhaps the same if even alighting from the rail prison van onto Argyle platform: a hot meal and somewhat sheltered cell, extremely cold in winter and extremely hot in summer?

Some 120 years later, prisoners enjoy the same level of comfort. One would hope, as in those days, an extra blanket requested would be readily supplied.

Some comment on the rail prison van, as many people would have seen one on display at Thirlmere: a luxury unit compared to prison vans today that are not even equipped with toilet facilities; another indication of our much-hardened hearts in our Western societies.

Prison transfer coaches of the 1950s and ‘60s had barred panoramic windows (no slits), comfortable coach seats and – as far as I am aware – a toilet wash room facility. A necessity as, I was told years ago, the coach took six hours to travel from Goulburn to Cooma. 

Other places of welcome refuge would have been the orphanages somewhat spoken against these days, but one can imagine the children getting a decent meal, which perhaps some had never had up until then, and a warm bed of their own. Perhaps not ideal as nothing in a child’s life can replace a mum and dad, but times have changed – or have they? 

We have in Goulburn a known and unknown number of young people who are homeless; we have homeless adults as well. Dear old Goulburn town could once again become a city of refuge, but governments would have to implement cost-effective changes.

I have suggested before that the Kenmore Hospital become the Betty Ford Clinic of the Southern Hemisphere; [and] our former St Joseph Girl’s Orphanage appears to be heading for a useful life again. The Salvation Army Boys home seems to be heading in the same direction as St John’s, but we hope not. 

As I lay in 2017 on my chiropractic king-sized bed looking out over the lights of dear old Goulburn town, I think of what change will happen in the next 100 years. Hopefully we will be a true place of refuge again. As the poem goes:

I have just had the privilege of being looked after by the wonderful staff at Goulburn Base Hospital. I spent four days in the intensive care unit before being transferred to Canberra Hospital. I then spent a further seven weeks in Canberra’s infectious diseases department before again being transferred, back to Goulburn Base for a further three-plus weeks. It is great learning to walk again after 10 weeks, instead of looking at four walls, confined to bed or a wheelchair. 

No one who has ever been or is a patient of Goulburn Base Hospital could ever complain about the service they receive. From ICU to all staff members of the second floor – nursing, cleaning, kitchen and ancillary staff, and by no means leaving out the doctors – thank you. Thank you, Dr Whelan, and your staff. We have staff at Goulburn Base Hospital who are exceptional and a pleasure to deal with. Nothing is too much trouble. I just hope the government wakes up to themselves and gives Goulburn what it deserves: a better hospital wiht more parking facilities.

Again, thank you to all staff at Goulburn Base Hospital.

TAFE has a special place in the Australian educational landscape. TAFE provides opportunities for people from all walks of life ... the skills to run a business, work as a hairdresser, speak a new language, learn a trade, or design 3D animations.

[Yet] there are 126,000 fewer students enrolled in TAFE than there were in 2012. Our ability to gain the skills needed to excel in today’s workforce are being ripped away. This will disproportionately hurt students in rural and regional communities. Labor will not stand for that. Please sign our petition: alp.org.au/imbackingtafe