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Showing posts from January, 2021

Short Story 8 - 1944-1949 "Booming Babies"

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  1944 - 1949 “ Booming Babies ” ( Written by Warren Maloney 2018)   The War was largely over for the Maloneys by late 1944 as the Boys, whilst not officially demobbed, were starting to focus on home-front desires, ambitions, and realities.  For the family, as with so many other working-class families, World War II had started with the banner headlines and the opportunities for ADVENTURE.   We consider that thirst for “ adventure ” a little strange nowadays, but the lads had been locked into the small worlds of Carlton and Fitzroy for too long. Work, if available, was in the monotony of the furniture and textile factories. The family business of the Vaudeville stage and the Circus had seen its day in both money and applause. Lots of dead-ends confronted most dreams and with those outcomes - no money. This Gore Street Fitzroy backyard photo of September 4 th  1939 says it all as Pop, Mum, Ronnie, Bonnie and the next door neighbours excitedly and happily read the Announcement of Wa

Commentary 6 - The Power of India

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  THE POWER OF INDIA (Thoughtpiece prepared for an International Zoom Presentation by Warren Maloney on 19 January 2021) Yesterday, India achieved the unbelievable dream of beating Australia in Australia for the 2nd time in India's Cricket History. They won the 4 Test series (2-1) despite suffering injuries to 8 of their 11 players from the first test, despite having to choose young men with almost no Test experience, and despite playing against Australia's world leading bowling lineup. India with this win are now the No 1 Test Cricket Country in the World -  https://timesofindia. indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ india-in-australia/india- claim-top-spot-in-world-test- championship-table-after- historic-win-at-the-gabba/ articleshow/80345334.cms Why is that important or relevant? 50 years ago, India was a minnow in performance as a Cricketing Nation, despite Cricket being one of the 2 National games (field hockey is the other). But India turned to its strengths and planned and cha

Commentary 5 - England's Equivalent to Donald Trump (2021)

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  ENGLAND'S EQUIVALENT TO DONALD TRUMP (Published on Facebook by Warren Maloney on 15th January 2021) To my mind, Henry VIII and Donald Trump are very similar characters of History. Admittedly, Henry could compose music and he prided himself on his lovely "turn of leg"; a nd Golf was not huge then, so jousting & hunting had to do. Still in the number of "wives", the ability to overestimate themselves, their tendency to spontaneously "fire" (read "behead" in 16th C), their dress sense, their attention to detail, and so on it goes! Well today in 1535, Henry went one better than Don and declared himself the Head of the Church in England (thereby firing the Pope), and started a very satisfying/fulfilling regime of taking over Church Property and taxing all Church assets. Now that is a source of revenue that seems to have been lost in the intervening time!

Commentary 4 - The Trump Aftermath

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 THE TIME FOR RENEWAL AND REMOVAL IN THE TRUMP AFTERMATH (Email exchange of 10 January 2021) I am admiring the change in exchanges with my USA friends as the realisation emerges that this is a time for action and voice rather than withdrawal or genuflection. The USA came very close to the point of no return and as the information emerges of the intentions and preparations of so many of the domestic terrorists, there is that realisation of what was intended and what was encouraged, and who was inciting. My American Friends have educated me last year of the nature of America's social conservatism. But this I believe is a cultural change moment and the anger and intensity required now will, I believe, help the USA to move forward quickly. QAnon, Proud Boys, Religious Right have no place in the mainstream of USA politics. Trump, Ivanka, Junior, Rudi and the Clan will not become martyrs but will be the history measuring stones for the USA never to fall that low again. The Republicans ne

Speech 12 - "A Toast to Strangers" (2003)

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  SPEECH from:                       Warren Maloney (MAYOR 2003/2004) subject: “A Toast – MAY WE ALWAYS WELCOME STRANGERS TO OUR HOMES” date AND PLACE:                   Saturday, 6 th December 2003 at the Hepburn Shire Council breakfast to welcome the Participants to the 52 nd Highland Gathering in Daylesford   A TOAST OF WELCOME   May I begin by acknowledging on behalf of the Hepburn Community our respect for the traditional owners of the land upon which we gather today – the Djadjawurrung People. We respect their elders and community and laws and customs.   We also respect the leaders, families, and communities of the many who have migrated to settle here in Hepburn over the last 180 years from so many countries such as England, Ireland, China, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and of course, Scotland.   We have learned and still learn so much from our desire to live together here. In is in this spirit that the Hepburn Community, through its Council,

Speech 11 - Launch of the 2003 Words in Winter Festival

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  LAUNCH OF THE 2003 WORDS IN WINTER FESTIVAL (Speech written and delivered by Warren Maloney, as Mayor, on Friday, 1 st August at the Daylesford Town Hall) Friends, Neighbours and Visitors Welcome to the second Daylesford WORDS IN WINTER Festival.   Let us firstly acknowledge ·          We are on Jaara land, the land of the Dja Dja Wurrung people; we acknowledge and respect their history and traditions. ·          Let us also acknowledge the great community and family traditions that have helped to forge this Shire over the last 170 years On behalf of the Words in Winter committee, I would like to thank ·          the Rotary Club of Daylesford for their practical support in helping to organise this year’s Festival.   Thank you also to the participants who’ve devoted their time and energy to ensure that this year’s Festival is a success. ·          David Hall for his vision and hard work in establishing the Festival. For the past two years, David has guided an e