Willem's blog

The Aussie navy again rescues a yachtsman in the Southern Ocean.

The frigate 'Arunta' raced from Fremantle to rescue yachtsman Yann Elies from the southern Indian Ocean off the south coast of WA. Elies was confined to his bunk with a broken leg, unable to reach painkillers or food while he waited for rescuers. He could get to the radio so his rescuers knew that he was in great pain. The only thing he had to sustain him for two days while he waited for rescuers was a bottle of Coke!

Australia, the movie.

I suppose one of the purposes of movies is the same as fiction books - to express in a story truths about people and groups of people and the way they think and respond in different situations. To bring to light the things people do that in the immediate action may be hidden by the assumptions of the time. In so doing to challenge the way people think about things. To move people to change their ways of thinking about things that happen

At the same time a movie has the purpose of entertaining people, to give them a good time, and to make them feel good about some part of themselves or 'their' people, their country.

'Australia' is a story that touches many aspects of the way we see ourselves. it challenges us, challenges our past, challenges our perception of ourselves. It shows the Australian character in both some very positive ways, and in some very negative ways.

So what is the purpose of ThisIsAustralia.com.au? What are we trying to achieve?

I have a dream. A dream of a website that tells about Australia, and gives people the opportunity to share in that, both by contributing their stories, or by purchasing some Australian made product.

I want to tell the stories of Australia. Not all of them, obviously, but those that seem important to me. Stories of people who somehow show the spirit of Australia. Stories of the places of Australia that catch my attention, that have a history or spirit that embody that same spirit. Stories of events that have significance.