Something old

OK - I know it is a daggy photo but it is not very often you get to play with something that is 360 years old and made out of gold. I am holding the Council Mace. It was throught to have been made in 1649 so you will see I am holding on to it tight as I am not sure if that is how I wanted to be remembered at Council if it had dropped.

The mace is a throwback to time when ancient clubs was used as a weapon of war. Later they were used by bodyguards of royalty and decorated with gold or silver. Over time they became less of a weapon and more a symbol of authority. Since it was first made in 1649 the Council mace went through several changes bwith more gold pieces added. It is still used in ceremonies today. Lucky I did not get to wear the Mayoral robe behind me as well!

ps: hope everyone noted that I am not wearing a tie.

Ozi Day

I hope you all had a good Australia Day (or Invasion Day for some). For me it was a day at work but the staff were kind enough to give me a nice welcome in the morning with Fosters (I told them no one drinks that in Australia), a bucket of sand, and some pictures to remind me of home. I did call a stop work meeting to ensure all staff continued our tradition of not doing anything on the day. Continuing the celebration went out to lunch and finished it off with dinner this evening at 'The Ship'. While not the same as a Barbie at home with friends still a good day.

14 Days

So after a total of 14 days (7 working days) what can I tell you:

1. I know why there are so many pubs - because it is dark by 4pm and nothin to do but drink
2. When driving people think I am mad because I keep putting my windscreen wipers on rather than the indicator
3. they LUVVVVVVVE roundabouts here
4. If you thought streets were narrow in Sydney, on the road to our house I have to drive on two wheels sideways and have to pull over to let the wind go by
5. I know I am an environmentalist but bloody hell petrol is expensive!
6. There is a lot more choice in organic produce and it is not that much more expensive than non-organic - having said that when you convert to the Ozi dollar everything is expensive
7. The sunsets hear are fantastic.......well so I have been told
8. The coastline is magnificent with wind swept cliffs, hidden inlets and rolling green hills
9. I like the idea that I have a neighbour as a horse
10. Weymouth itself is such a lovely sea side village just like a post card and I am privileged to be able to spend a whole year living in it
11. I now know what a boiler is to heat the house - it doesnt involve shovelling coal thank goodness but you do get to learn to like the smell of burning oil all the time in the house
12. The workplace is no different to home - the same challenges, mix of personalities, performance issues, paper work, budget constraints, but a real desire to make a difference - but they do speak a funny language
13. Inside the work building, with its dark corridors, pigeonhole offices and 1970's furniture makes the tower building in Parramatta look like a palace
14. BUT... the outlook over the harbour, the small fishing boats, the yaughts, the old buildings makes Parramatta look like a dump
15. I have had warm flat beer and......... It aint half bad
16. The biggest national crime at the moment where revenge is being sought - bigger than terrorism - is the punishment the people here want to put on the English Cricket Team
17. There is no dumpling place or vietnameese soup!

I know i have said that everyone talks about the weather here and I said I would not fall in to that but you cant fight culture so here is a last little image to leave you with. Till next time

First day on the job

Well I have survived my first day on the job with:

- 40 mentions of the weather in the UK and how cold and rainy it is, has been, will get.

- 5 comments on the cricket

- 3 people asking why I would want to leave Sydney

- 2 "good luck - you will need it" and

- 1 "what were you thinkin?"

Spent most of the day being introduced to everybody. Rest of the week will mainly involve getting to know my team, meeting the other Managers and getting a bit more of an understanding of the role and priorities. For those that dont know my role is Corporate Development and Partnership Manager. Still learning what this actually means but so far it includes:

- Corporate Policy and Planning (I always knew I wanted Dougs role)

- Community Planning (2 staff very similar to our community capacity building team)

- Sports

- Arts (I can hear Susan laughing now!)

- Heritage Centre

- Pools (being handed over)

- Democracy (mix of Councillor services and community engagement)

A mixed bag with a lot of challenges (oops) opportunities! I am looking forward to the year ahead.