Playing trains. Christmas Eve and a court ruling halted removal of the rail lines into Newcastle.  The actual train service probably ended last night.
An open triangular area bordered by rail lines, west of Hamilton station,
is unused and some claim is suitable for a hub. To say nothing of another large vacant area nearby.
Few signs of hustle and bustle there or in the local shopping centers Christmas day. Only a few times do all shops close their door.  Or is it the only time?  Even supermarkets locked up and empty. Two days even. Twice. Not two times.  Twice has faded from existence. As thrice has.
 

How do I hit the Jackpot?

Sunlight and water.  Difficult to focus on  Corruption Collusion Community Exclusion when our little world is looking so darn good.

Great day for a protest.  On the fringe of Save Our Rail in Civic park.
Social media gets the community going.  It spreads reactions of grief.  Lets hope it never uses its power for evil. Think for yourself.  Stand on your own two feet.

  The latest disturbed gunman went unhindered in the past, when he could have been stopped without any new legislation, designed to curb our rights. It is about our free society. And a price was paid for it.

 South of the 'great train wall' and unionists flags are flying to retain the discontinuity in Newcastle.

Message for Gladys, Minister for Transport.
Protest against the truncation of the rail line.  Believe that is the term used.

All Change!  Pre-protest rally to save our rail, Newcastle.
Just down the line, east of Hamilton station, is found activity to facilitate All Change! Mind the Gap.
In recent times, strange shady shameful processes take place, such as stolen gen, corruption in politics, torture, removal of rail services, then there follows an enquiry, heartfelt guilt or absence of and the matter is wound up.
So, do what you like. It will all come out in the wash. No worrries.  

Here's a nice book, almost corny, sprinkled with Aussie sayings. Although shirtfront or chin wag are not among them!
 Santa is in the sky in a rusty old ute pulled by eight mighty roos. 

...Now, Kylie! Now, Kirsty!
Now, Shazza and Shane!...
On, Bazza and Wayne!
Park up on that water tank,
Grab a quick drink,
I'll scoot down the gum tree.
Be back in a wink!
 

Y Morrison, K Niland An Aussie night before Christmas.Scholastic Press Lindfield 2005

Overnights on ABC radio is fortunate to have an interlude with Scott Speck, a conductor of note, despite which he is light hearted, informative, pleasant and ever tactful with us general listeners who sometimes find ourselves awake listening at dawn.  His day job is with Chicago Philharmonic and or Ballet. 

International Children's games opening, Lac Macquarie, last night.

I'm not often in the mosh pit

Black swans taking a nap.

Comedy and more from Williamson.  A revue-style exposition of Murdoch.
Ironic that left of centre, James Cromwell, plays Rupert. Fairfax readers will enjoy some attention.
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Media.  Heard on our news this morning....the action of the dead priests...
Well, we know the context.
Is it bad timing?  Lots about lead contamination at this time of the uplifting international games for children at Speeres nearby.  Keep up appearances.

Yesterday, diesel fuel was purchased for $1.329 litre at sweltering St Marys, Western Sydney. Not in connection with discount vouchers. That price was a bit exceptional. In contrast, noticed first on return to Newcastle: $1.509.

Continued.  Creative hot air balloon Skywhale.

Continued.  More from Civic park.
 Currently, the theme is of the eschaton.  Strange times.

Give thanks for what city council bestows on us.

Whose concert is this?
Photos before the preschoolers took to the 'stage' and the end of year concert, visit by Santa and hand over of portfolios.  

  One and a half dogs. Our best friend?
Too good to be true.  Too much to ask.  A fools paradise  Too good to last. Free to air media TV and radio without ads or self promos.
Cut backs to the ABC and SBS. The international service upended.
Do we need to follow the actions of other governments that are tied to free enterprise? Growth and more growth.
 Do our own thing.  Be content with sustainability.
 If we simply follow others then what about climate change policy?  Pre-Abbott we were among the leaders.

The bay is dead calm and mysterious.

In a sports field near you

What would a Tom Murphy achieve on this backdrop at Port Stephens?  This city father from afar told us about the transformation of Pittsburgh from heavy industry.
Didn't he tell us create a vision as a basis for urban development and one we are very determined about so as to avoid being reactive and enter into  debates and see opposition as normal.
His talk was straight forward which was a relief, sponsored by the university.

This unique group has pride of place in a front garden in this district and has been there for more than forty years arranged standing in a boomerang shape and nicely tended.
 What would some people make of it? A flag pole with the Australian flag and several other statues namely kangaroos and a swag man are also on the lawn. 

This Saturday morning is busier than usual. The National Broadband is reaching us.  Next voting for a new lord mayor of Newcastle.

The embankment for the old A train.  Above King street. Vale.
  The current rail line into Newcastle will become train free,  just like this old vestige, when the service is cut next month.

   If the world leaders chose one meeting place this month instead of a round tour then who knows how much carbon pollution they would have saved the globe. China, Myanmar, Australia.
  Renaissance leaders should be cool and free of strutting their stuff and decline being used to showcase this city or that, let alone a navy backup on standby - Russia - that takes the cake! 

If you look closely this must be the A train as it is in the AA (Australian Agricultural) mini park, on King.
  AA company managed diverse works in the colonial days. Private enterprise.  Even the district water service is becoming privatised or corporatised soon. Does that cause some unease and more unease than a distant threat from terrorism?

Appearances are deceptive. The city hall clock tower is under repair and is in disguise under this painting of the clock tower painted on the coverings! So postmodern.
  Apart from the respect due to Whitlam whose life I had not closely followed, his memorial ceremony offered a good deal of reassurance about what I hope we value in our community.
  Or was the rhetoric a reminder of strengths past and gone? No, it was positive. Not withstanding it was a Labor fest, the high approval accorded to Whitlam and his work was unexpected in extent.  There is hope yet.
  His political party was dynamic and the place to be and continues to approximate all that.
  The quality of the farewell proceedings was gratifying, much to be proud of, dignified and fitting music appropriate to the generation.
 Fears about our brash and hard edged society were soothed somewhat. 

Is this an art installation or is it the plumbing? On King.
Vatican art in a 3D film is showing.  The whole film has about 15 minutes of art works padded out with goodness knows what the rest of the time and the ticket was no bargain price. To some the Vatican's failures are their failures and the Vatican's glories are their glories.
Recently a French movie event was reasonably good despite the review only sounding so so. The French eats on sale were aok.  A student of French was interested in the movie but found it very difficult to understand the dialogue.  University French to an advanced stage only goes so far and that was some time ago.
 And an Italian movie season is next up not forgetting a Zombie event tomorrow Sunday.
Second language learning in preschools is proposed. It is best begun as early as possible the experts say.  And more job opportunities for those who can teach languages.
  Lessons will add more to the already large heavy portfolios that are prepared on each and every preschooler as a record for the parent.
  I'd give more priority to the actual care and activities themselves along with a modest report.
  Preschool workers are not high income earners and work fairly long hours without school holiday breaks.

Vacant.  Waiting for the next decent prime minister to step up.
 Pussy cat Tony will riot at g20 when he could consider what Putin and he have in common in their outlook from last century. And believe old industrial USSR produced enormous pollution. So much in common.
 Apart from that who will fill Obama's shoes?  His public persona is dignified and good to hear. Such a change. He will be missed. (I am uninformed about his political ability)
Photo after Julia Gillard left the stage at city hall yesterday to a standing ovation. Her book sales and signings were huge.

This is not a good look.

On cue, a cargo of fossil fuel sails from the harbour but how far will it get?

Do any telcos offer high speed internet via a land line without a phone service attached?  Maybe they are inseparable.
 Or who will be the first to offer the internet alone?
Going on line without a line is common enough with various devices. But the N B Network seems to mean that a physical line of connection is here to stay. And NBN is expanding in Newcastle right now, they say.

Stand Up For The Pacific is the T shirt message.  Activists against fossil fuel overuse. Coal industry - our protected mainstay, our insult to long term well-being nay even our survival.

Our poor cash strapped struggling nation prepared to sacrifice dwindling reserves to pay industry to do something that is less harmful to the environment. That is the latest.
Hope this does not mean industry will be rewarded for window dressing and paid for any hair brain scheme they come up with.
And plant trees. Wow.  This might balance out our land clearing habits.

Pacific island warriors man the battleships during protest action. One has a wardrobe malfunction.
A local is awarded for her environmental action, the details escape me, she said a huge number of Australians are wanting action to save the environment. Do they?
The big moves and legislation to combat climate change become prominent.
Indirectly we are involved in the implications of these structural changes. But not a lot is aimed at us personally to be more sustainable.
We drive and fly and consume as if there is no tomorrow. Literally? It is very difficult to change.

Pacific Island visitors.  Impressive citizens, tats, finely carved outrigger, tapa cloth, oars and axe.. And there is a close relationship with the sea who is their friend and foe.

FOSSIL FUEL leave it in the ground.  Preparation for  recent protest.

Pacific Islanders. As they say - we are not drowning we are fighting!
Getting ready for action to draw attention to rising sea levels and the effects of global warming.

Then and now.  This work has undergone transformation in the past month since it was shown here.  Three names.
Then and now.  The figure behind introduction of our treasured universal health care has died at a time when that system of care is most under threat. Vale Whitlam.