SOME THINGS IN COMMON PART I

MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING A TALE OF TWO COUNTRIES 

AUSTRALIA POLITICAL AND TOPOGRAPICAL

Landmass :7,682,300 Sq. miles 7th Largest in World

Population :22,751,014 July 2015 Est.56th Largest in World

NIGERIA  TOPOGRAPHICAL

LANDMASS   910,768 SQ.MILES        32nd Largest in World.

Population  : 181,562,056    July,2015 Est.   8th Largest in World

TO BEGIN:  

I have a large number of Friends on Facebook in Nigeria, and of course in my home country of Australia too.

Our two countries are very different in many ways, yet in some ways, they have faced, and do face some similar problems, although the sum of the problems of each is very different.

Please bear with me as I try to sketch out some comparative facts, trying to see in which areas, if any our mutual understanding can increase. In this exercise, not only human physical and activity differences are relevant, but also, to some extent, historical experience and present-day circumstances.

Fundamental Realities

Australia is, as you see very large and sparsely populated with 2.96 people per sq. mile. Most of these people are located much more densely in large coastal capital cities and a larger number of near coastal provincial cities. Australia is located in the South-West Pacific Ocean on the East Coast,  and the Eastern Indian Ocean on the West Coast. 

It is a country with a maritime perspective and psychology - even though that fact is not widely considered by, most of its people.

Nigeria is not nearly so large - in fact it is close to the size of the State of New South Wales where I live. But its population density is enormously greater with 199.35 people per sq. mile. But, according to statistics available to me, 68% of Nigeria's population lives in "Rural" areas, including towns with a population of 100,000 or less

On the other Hand:

 15.1 % 0f the urban population lives in Lagos City. 

That leaves                

84.9% 0f the urban population living in provincial cities and it seems that only three of these:

Kano, 
Ibadan and
Abuja (the Capital) exceed 3,000,000 
with a total population of 9,826,068 between them. 
                                       
They are followed by 7 Cities of more than 1,000,000                                                (for a total of  17,673,140), and

 62 cities between 100,000 and 900,000 population( for                                          a total of   15,561,046 between them).  

Gasp! Already the figures are, to this Australian, mind-boggling! 

But, let us see: that makes in total an urban population of  :
58,160,254 or 32% of the national population.

This means that 123,401,802 people live in Rural areas in Towns under 100,000 and in villages and they constitute 68% of the population.
 (Just to get back to our comparisons, that is far more than five times the total population of Australia.)   

Geographically, Nigeria is in West Africa with an Atlantic coastline on the Southern Coast of West Africa in the Gulf of Guinea. It shares land borders with Benin to the West, Niger to the North West and North, Chad to the North East and Cameroon to the East.   

So we see immense differences in consequence of population density and geographical location.

Yet, even in these differences, some elements of similarity can be noticed, Both Countries suffer large areas of inhospitable land. In Northern Nigeria there is the problem of large areas of the Sahara desert intruding - and that reportedly expanding. In Australia, the greater part of the Country is inhospitable desertified by the lack of reliable, or any, natural water supply.

Geographically, Nigeria's land borders are a source of trouble from overland intruders, even though its relations with the cross border nations are not often actively hostile.   Australia's situation is not as isolated as one might think, and the relative proximity of the mainly Mohammedan Indonesia with its hundreds of islands and its hostile takeover of half of New Guinea to our North is a source of intermittent trouble - mainly through the Indonesian laxity (corruption) in allowing illegal immigrants ("boat people") mainly from the Middle East -Mohammedans) to pass on toward Australia. This has been stopped by firm Australian Naval patrols. Our relations with Pacific Island States are generally good because of our foreign aid grants. Our next-door neighbour to the East is New Zealand, with which we have generally good relations and strong sporting rivalry. 

Economic Activity

Australia is rated

12th or 13th in the World by GDP measured in USD Dollars depending on which list you choose, based on figures varying between 1.223 Billions and 1.471 Billions depending on the reference dates- always complex in these matters. Nigeria is rated between 

22nd and 24th on the same basis on amounts varying from 493 Billions to 568.499 Billions.

GDP PER CAPITA

Obviously on a GDP per Capita basis, Australia will fare much better than Nigeria. For Australia, the ranking is between

 10th and 16th in the world based on amounts of USD 45,926 through to  USD 65,400  again depending on the date chosen, but also exchange rate variation and major commodity prices.

 Nigeria ranks between 

121 and 129 based on amounts of USD 5,911 and USD 6,400 again depending on dates chosen and exchange rates and major commodity prices.

In international trade, Australia is ranked in USD  

24th in the World for Exports at USD 191.2 Billions. 

Nigeria is ranked    

40th at USD 93.010 Billions.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

In international trade, Australia is ranked 

20th for imports at USD 245.9 Billions ( based on 2014 Est figures). 

Nigeria is ranked 50th at USD 54.6 Billions (But this is based on 2012 Est Figures)

The value of Australian Exports FELL by AUD 318.7 Billions in 2014 whilst actual volumes INCREASED by 6.6 per cent. This was mainly due to declining values for minerals and fuels exported down 13.8% ( a large fall) but greatly offset by rising values in rural, manufactures, other goods and services especially - thus cutting the overall decline in values to only 3.8 %.

Unprocessed Minerals accounted for 28.2 % of export AUD values, their AUD value having declined 21 per cent in the year 2014/15. Fuels accounted for 18.1 % of the AUD Export values despite an 8.6 % decline in AUD values in 2014/15.

 The value of Australian Imports in AUD actually INCREASED by 0.7 % while volumes INCREASED by only 0.1% - so we see adverse currency values at work.

It is noted that Nigerian Exports consist of Crude Petroleum: 74.3% of the Total and Petroleum Gas: 13.3% of the Total , the two energy commodities totalling a massive 87.65% 0f the Total Exports.

OVERALL TRADE PERSPECTIVE

We see both Countries are significantly dependent on commodity export earnings. But in the case of Nigeria, the dependency on only two fuel commodities is at an extremely vulnerable level of 87.65%. On the other hand, in the event of a marked turnaround in global economic activity, Nigeria should reap a rapid unearned improvement in income from these same exports. There seems no great hope of that in the immediate future.

In the case of Australia, a broader spread of Export types has led to greater resilience in handling a very difficult decline in minerals and fuel Sales and values. Likewise, a marked turnaround in global economic activity would rapidly deliver a huge unearned improvement in income from these same exports. But a significant vulnerability is the Australian dependence on trade with China, which Country has become a recognised military security risk. However, this issue is tempered to a large degree by China's dependence on Australia as a relatively near, politically-stable, low-cost source of high-quality raw materials.  

DEBT

We should consider this factor which restrains Government policy and National potential from the National Accounts aspect and then the International aspect. This is easier for me regarding Australia where I am more familiar with accessing the official figures which appear at regular intervals on a consistent basis.

The National Accounts figures are of interest on two bases :

in absolute numbers,and

in relation to the GDP.

AUSTRALIA : DEBT - ABSOLUTE NUMBERS;

At 22nd January 2016 : 405.988 AUD BILLIONS 

                                 (2010 : 147.122 AUD BILLIONS)

                            : DEBT - PERCENTAGE OF GDP    

                              In 2015                               36.8%

                                    2010                              2o.5%  

Comment

The Global Financial Crisis of 2007-2008 can be quickly seen to have had a strong adverse effect on the Australian National Debt situation as the Federal Governments of the day borrowed heavily to sustain economic activity. Radically different views are held about the wisdom of the level of the borrowings and the purposes on which the funds were spent.

From 2007 to 2013 Australia had Labor Governments under Prime Ministers Rudd to 2010 Gillard to 2011 and again Rudd to 2013. The effect on the debt absolutely and as a percentage of GDP is obvious. Since 2013 Liberal/National Party Governments have been in power., under Abbott to 2015 and now Turnbull at least until 2nd July,2016 Federal Election. The returning Conservative Government has found it difficult to correct the situation in view of policies committed to funding in the Labor years and the marked collapse in Export revenues. 

NIGERIA              National Debt         Absolute Numbers

2015                      USD     $56.74 Billions

2010                                     $26.273Billions 

                                   National Debt         As a Percentage of GDP

2015                                        10.19 %

2010                                         15.04%

I am far less confident in the above Nigerian figures since I have had to collect them from varying sources - all respectable in themselves, but lacking consistency in approach.   However, it does seem that from the period when Pres.Goodluck Jonathan assumed office in 2010 from U.M. Yar'Adua (2007-2010), until he handed over to Pres.Buhari in 2015, although the National Debt rose markedly, it was responsibly done in terms of GDP relationship which declined to historic lows. Since the Buhari administration has taken over, it appears GDP has collapsed and debt in Absolute Numbers has increased as the economy has collapsed, so that Debt to GDP can be expected to have soared once again.

FOREIGN DEBT

Australia              Foreign Debt              In Absolute   Amounts

  Mar. 2016                             AUD $1,012,100,000,000 

             2015                             AUD $1,620,000,000,000

Comment

This enormous sum is owed approximately 25% by Australian Governments Federal and State , and 75% by public and private companies. Most of it Government and corporate is denominated in Australian Dollars - minimising any foreign currency exchange risk. In addition , most of the debt is very long term, minimising the repayment burden. Finally, due to huge and continually growing Superannuation investment, Australia has greater investments in foreign assets than foreigners have invested here - this is a reversal of remote historic trends. In effect, much of this foreign debt at low-interest rates has been used to invest overseas at very good rates of return.

Nigeria                 Foreign Debt                 In Absolute Amounts  

2015                                          USD        9,700,000,000     

                                                   

                                                                    (GDP is  USD  492.986,000,000  ) 

Comment  

The vastly healthier Nigerian position, reflects the conservative stance of the Johnathan Government, and the different historical necessities imposed by Australia's more advanced economy over a long period of time and its very heavy defence commitments in actual Wars in support of our Allies , in extensive defence re-equipping and in very heavy foreign aid to neighbouring Asian and Pacific Island States. 

The Nigerian situation would be the great envy of the Australian Federal Treasury.

FOREIGN RESERVES

Australia                USD $ 49,264,000,000   MAR 2016    Rank 37th  

Nigeria                    USD $ 26,500,000,000   MAY 2016     Rank 50th

Comment

Given Nigeria's relatively smaller GDP it has performed far better in retaining Foreign Reserves at the level it has, and this again seems to be a reflection of the past conservatism shown in Foreign Debt obligations compared to the Australian approach, again because of differing imperatives.

SO FAR

On a very , very storm tossed day I have worked on this to this point. I have also made a good start on the Historical Background - but I have decided to make that Part II.    

I have even refrained from summarising the above, though I am tempted to do so.  But I am hopeful of some feedback that might make that summarisation more accurate and meaningful and useful to someone, somehow.  or have I laboured in vain?

  

WORDS AND WRITING

1958 Realising a Boyhood Dream

Yesterday on the spur of the moment, I posted the following comment on a Post on Facebook by the brilliant and devout young Priest Father Tochukwu ONYEAGOLU from Nigeria. Father had posted an extensive account of the life experience of a blog writer at the IMAGINATIVE  CONSERVATIVE:

".........I have come to love writing and discovered a natural talent of sorts, for it -  in Banking of all places, writing as an advocate, analyst, or opponent of some lending applications. As the clients went from private individuals to corporations to multi-national corporations, the skills had to develop and grow. Then I became involved in fighting the worst abuses of the post-Conciliar Church and then the financial reform of a major Archdiocese. Then I became involved in producing a Monthly Catholic Newsletter - "FOUNDATION", once again I was involved in Advocacy ( of Catholic orthodoxy) and the re-telling of History. But then came along the Internet and Blogs and Facebook. My Blogs "Vexilla Regis.Blogspot, But Nought.Blogspot, Edward Beckmann.Blogspot, Conrad Beckmann.Blogspot and Carl Dopmeyer.Blogspot are the major ones - the last three being on the lives of ancestors. Vexilla carries forward my Catholic advocacy. But Nought is a personal story of my life and likes. But all that being said, I have not got a creative writing streak at all - one has to be honest about one's limitations. "


So that was that. But not quite. It had set my mind to work about other aspects of the matter. It is a simple fact that I love, and have a great interest in words - their meanings, use, origins and fates.

Let me give an example: this morning there came to my mind the word "impertinent". It is a word that seems to be falling out of use. Whilst in its origins it obviously means "not relevant to the matter at hand, or to the circumstances being referenced, it had come to mean much more through usage : that is "out of place in an insolent or at least inappropriate manner", But To be useful in that sense, the word has to be employed in a firmly structured society. However, today we have a society in which "structure is falling apart" and is not well-regarded.

Some years back, I was in a clothing store when a young female attendant commented on the colour of the Polo shirt I was wearing, saying in effect, that it was a striking colour -an emerald green - that "most people couldn't get away with wearing, but that I could, because of my grey hair!" It was "impertinent " of her to comment on the personal choice and appearance of a client. But she was totally unmindful of the fact, and she meant no harm- nor was I really offended. But strictly it was "impertinent": out of place given the client /service person relationship. But changing manners had left the word without a job to do!

Another matter which my comment on Father's Post brought to mind, is how much I love recounting stories. This is especially so when through experience or learning, I am able to relate them in some significant way to either another story or I can cast some light on them from other learning - that is to say, when telling the story enables me to "add value" to the recounting.

A good recent example of this, is the story of the Roman General Paulinus and his 10,000 Legionnaries defeating 200,000 plus Britons in the Battle of Watling Road as we might call it - history did not give it a name. It was a remarkable victory for the discipline of the Roman Army. For the cost of  400 dead, the Romans killed 70,000 of the enemy warriors and several thousand of their female wives and camp followers. The remainder escaped for a time until Paulinus tracked them down and exterminated most of them. All of this came about because Boadicea the Queen of the Iceni Tribe and her two daughters were sexually assaulted by a minor Roman official in the course of executing an Imperial claim over the Estate of her late Husband. 

Boadicea was so outraged that she set about gathering all the surrounding tribes and finally almost all the tribes in England to rise up against the occupying Romans and their collaborators - often Britons who had become Wives of retired Legionnaries who had settled in what had become Roman Colonies. The revolt gathered quite a head of steam and sacked the Roman Capital of Britain at Colchester with the gruesome murders of thousands and their sexual assault in the course of that action. The details are too crude to relate here. The revolting Britons then moved on to London the commercial capital of Roman settlement - they burned it to the ground. When they had done with Colchester and London, they had killed and mutilated well over 65,000 Romans and their collaborators-men women and children.

General Paulinus had been in the South at Anglesea busily and successfully getting rid of the Druid Priesthood and their supporters when the unwelcome news of the Colchester and London horrors reached him. The remaining Roman forces in Britain were slow in getting the word and their response was inhibited by one of their Generals feigning ignorance of the situation and skipping the Country to Europe. Paulinus brought his 10,000 Legionarries to London but refused to stay there. He invited anyone seeking protection , to join his Army's Baggage Train. Along the Watling Road as it now is . he chose the battleground and waited for the slower army of 200,000 Britons to catch up.

For the Romans, this looked like a tragic "death and glory" last stand. but every measure was taken to ensure that it would be professionally, and with Roman honour, done. The result exceeded the Romans' most sanguine expectations. The Britons charged wildly in their customary ill-disciplined manner, fighting as Tribal Groups, subdivided into clans. The "hopelessly" outnumbered  Romans in the remains of three Legions, formed into three wedges as the hordes rushed on. They systematically attacked them with the short Gladius(sword) whilst using their Shields for protection and assault. The Britons had larger, heavier shields and spears, but were felled by the disciplined Romans. Simultaneously, the Roman Cavalry rode down the sides of the Briton hordes adding hugely to their losses and confusion. Soon the Britons were panicking and turning back in an effort to escape but they were knocked down by the forward surge of their rear fellows still rushing forward. Many it seems died, crushed underfoot by their own fellows.

Boadicea is reputed to have escaped with her daughters - she later committed suicide by poison.

Boadicea Statue at Westminster

Today, in the best British tradition, this inglorious debacle is commemorated by a heroic statue of Boadicea in a fictionalised version of her chariot beside the Thames and the approaches to London Bridge. The chariot is impressive in the classic European style even having scythes projecting from the hubs of its wheels! Unfortunately, that was nothing like Boadicea's actual chariot which had no scythes, whose brief upper works were wicker, and whose driver sat at her feet with his legs dangling over the front! But it is an impressive bit of statuary!

For the sake of modern (1902) political correctness of the patriotic variety, the woman is given her Icenae name "Boudicca" whereas History has used the Romanised form "BOADICEA". The same can be said of the statue which was entirely fictionalised and in fact not even cast in bronze until 1902 some 17 years after the death of the sculptor.

So writing can be a lot of fun and gives the opportunity, certainly, to add value to a story by adding to it more recent facets as in this case.

"THE OLD SCHOOL TIE" FATHER JOHN O'NEILL

To-day, someone I regard highly asked "Who is Father John O'Neill?" or words to that effect.I was stunned but realised how quickly the years pass and the colours tend to fade. So I thought it might be helpful to re-post this item from 28th October 2011.

Subtitled "A story of survival in the tensions of the Catholic Church", it has obviously been written "con amore ". I can say that with gold-plated certainty because I count Father as a friend and I know his ardent love for the Church, even if the evidence of his life's work did not already demonstrate the fact.

The book is a novel, but everything in it happened in one way or another, even though the names have been changed, and some characters are the "telescoped" product of two personalities. Anyone who lived through the period the book re-creates will, as I did, immediately see through the delightfully altered names of people and places to recognize the Archdiocese of Sydney, St.Patrick's Seminary Manly that was, St. Columba's Minor Seminary, Springwood etc., etc. Anyone who loves the Catholic Church and its Priesthood will quickly come to read the book "con amore" also. It traces the journey to Priesthood of two best mates and schoolmates, and their encounter with the post-Conciliar false "spirit of the Council" rogues. the book is very special for me, not only because I know the author, but because I knew or knew of, many of the real characters.

Let us "taste and see":

Father Mark O'Brien has just arrived in Rome to commence post-graduate studies and comes to meet his best friend Father Harry Stuart whose studies are more advanced due to his arrival in Rome a couple of years earlier. Harry is talking to the Queensland Priest Father Greg Jenkins. The Second Vatican Council is continuing............"Greg Jenkins took great interest in the newcomer. Harry had spoken so much of his life-long friend, but always in glowing terms, and Jenkins wondered whether or not this Mark O'Brien was a candidate for canonization.

One free afternoon, Father Jenkins invited Father O'Brien to accompany him on a walking tour. They went across the Tiber and had spent a good while examining the Roman Forum when Jenkins decided it was coffee time. They found a nice place near the Colosseum. Mark was somewhat disappointed at the break in the tour- he was getting immersed in the history.

They settled at one of the little tables on the wide footpath, looking out across the ancient amphitheatre, Constantine's Arch and other surrounding remnants of past grandeur.

"What do you think of Rome?" asked Jenkins.

Mark smiled,"That hardly matters-I'm sure Rome won't be concerned what I think of her; but I love the place anyway."

"Anything in particular?"

"Well, of course, Peter and Paul are here, plus some other apostles-catacombs, remnants of the Empire. The Pope - should have mentioned him first" he laughed. Then there's the Council -biggest event in the Church for centuries."

"How are you going on the Council documents? "

"Read everything that,s released so far."

"You don't muck around, do you, Mark.

"Didn't come here to muck around, Greg."

Jenkins took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He offered Mark one. It was refused. But Mark told him to go ahead and have one.

Jenkins blew out the first cloud of smoke, then looked at Mark squarely. An enticing smile came over his face. Mark thought it looked too deliberate.

"If I may say so Mark, you and Harry are going to be quite a force back home."

Mark lowered his cup a little. "What makes you think so?"

"I've never met anyone like you two- you've got all the gifts. I think you're going to be a pair of giants."

Mark laughed once more. " Then we'd better make sure we don't put our feet in it," he said looking straight into Jenkins' eyes.

Jenkins' smooth smile re-appeared." That's very good " he said. I'd say each of you is going to make quite a splash."

" As long as what we do helps people and the Church," said Mark.

"The people are the Church," said Jenkins.

" Now that's a revelation - I thought the Church was just buildings," said Mark, looking at him squarely.

That smile was there again on Jenkins's face. "Sorry", he said, " I shouldn't be trying to teach you. It's just that I think the Church hasn't been taking enough notice of what the people are thinking. This Council's not going far enough."

"it's certainly going long enough", said Mark.

Jenkins gave a laugh, " Then you're getting a bit tired of all these Bishops around the place, eh?"

" I didn't say that. It's a tremendous event- I just think it could be a lot simpler."

" Everything's black and white with you, isn't it, Mark," said Jenkins through his smile.

Father John O'Neill - Tried and True

"If that means everything's clear, then yes."

"So we have all the answers, then."

"In the necessary things, yes."Jenkins' smile changed to a smirk. Mark's inherited Irish brow hardened. "If we haven't the basic answers to man's questions, then Christ is pointless," he said, almost glaring at Jenkins. " What's the use of God becoming man if He leaves us in our confusion, and our weakness.".........

The story continues and the divide between those seeing in the Church and the Council the hermeneutic of continuity as the only possibility, and those who chose a hermeneutic of rupture to secure their New Church opens before our eyes. Just as it happened. Jenkins by the way - the real man became a Queensland suffragan Bishop. But by the force of his personality, he became the "Godfather" of the Queensland bishops - and the wreckage of "Jenkins'" activity persists from Brisbane to Cairns.

Father John O'Neill is Parish Priest of Doonside in Parramatta Diocese, having survived the Episcopates of Cardinals Freeman and Clancy in Sydney, and then the all too vulnerable Bishop Bede Heather (resigned) and Bishop Kevin Manning (Emeritus, and now out of retirement to act as Apostolic Administrator of Wilcannia Forbes). Doonside is fortunate indeed.

Father's latest work is "BENJAMIN"available at http://www.connorcourt.com/catalog1/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=128

EVER THE OPTIMIST PART II ;OPTIMISM EVEN UNDER A CLOUD

PEACE ANNOUNCED IN SYDNEY 1945

So, we had despatched the Nazis and the Empire of Japan - PEACE - right? Well, sort of.  In Europe, those pesky, gloomy Russians were acting up, and their Communist cousins in Asia, China and North Korea, were keen for a fight.

Having just battled for years to make the world safe and free, the former Allies, though tired of struggle, were not about to see the entire effort brought to naught by the Communists.

But somehow we seemed, at least in some quarters, to lack the language to deal with the situation. After all, the Russians were our recent Allies! And every American academic and Hollywood producer LOVED China and the Chinese who had been "sold" to the Allied peoples as just so nice and right - they had been attacked by the Empire of Japan too, hadn't they?

WINSTON CHURCHILL DELIVERS "IRON CURTAIN" SPEECH

As so often in the past, Winston Churchill, now a rather older man than his years - he was 72 -  came to the rescue with his clear thinking and his mobilisation of the English language. On 5th March 1946 at Westminster College in Missouri in the USA, he gave a speech "The Sinews of Peace" in which he declared that an "IRON CURTAIN" had descended upon Europe dividing the free Western countries from the Russian-oppressed Eastern countries. As if scales had fallen from their eyes, the bewildered and politically-confused, and most Americans, now clearly saw that this was NOT Peace but in the words of American financier Bernard Baruch first used on 16th April 1947, it was "COLD WAR".The days of VICTORY hubris began to rapidly fade.

War did, in fact, break out again in Korea on 25th June 1950 when North Korea (backed by the Soviet Union and the by then Communist China invaded the Republic of Korea (South Korea) which was supported by the United Nations. Australia was actively involved in support of the U.N. with its Army, Navy and Air Force. Once again General Douglas MacArthur led the Allied Forces coming out of his role as post War "caesar" ruling defeated Japan in exemplary and impeccable fashion. After initial near-total success the invaders were outflanked and driven back in a brilliant and daring amphibious landing at Inchon.

GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR AT INCHON LANDING

This little optimist was coming to terms with the world slowly unfolding around him. I had clearly been aware of the Second World War. I know this not only because it must have been so, but because of specific memories. On the 15th August 1945 the older daughter of our neighbours across the street, Judith Dryden ran breathlessly across the street to our back door to announce that the War had ended. "I know that," said 5 years old me "That happened months ago" back flashed the correction: "NO. THAT was the Germans. Now the Japanese have surrendered - it is all over". Clearly, my grasp of the situation had been less than perfect.I had been well aware of the Japanese involvement in the War - I can also remember having been to the movies with Mum and Dad one evening and seeing a War film in which valiant American pilots were outwitting diabolically evil Japanese pilots. On this evening rather than catch the bus home as we normally did, we went to Lidcombe Station To catch the train. As we waited on a crowded Platform 4, a plane flew overhead with droning piston engines. Suddenly the movie experience led this little fellow to announce at the top of his voice"How'd you like a Jap up there with you?" .Mum and Dad were quick to hush me up after this embarrassing unpatriotic challenge! 

But steadily, I became aware of a new topic of conversation: the Atomic Bomb.

At first, it was simply the awesome means by which we had brought the Empire of Japan to its knees and surrender. But gradually, it came to be spoken of as a threat posed to us by the Russians, who were believed to have developed such a weapon also. The sight of its explosion and mushroom cloud was horrifying and magnified in our imaginations by the movie Newsreels. Yet .....surely this would never happen! But the media were ever happy to oblige with scare stories and Government soon obliged with advice on "what to do if" ....most of it rather pointless as later revelations would show. 

But life went on...and that, at a gathering pace of prosperity and modernity. Post War Australia quickly shook off the remains of World War II: the Labor Government was defeated in 1949, rationing of food and petrol was gradually lifted and gone by the end of 1950  (good riddance to the wretched Ration Books symbol of deprivation). During the War, Australia's export trade had suffered badly, but imports - mainly of war materials from the United States, had soared. The result was that after the War Australia had substantial US Dollar debts and imports from the United States were severely curtailed. I can recall being amazed when I saw a marvellous new 1948 Buick Straight Eight which I was told in hushed tones belonged to a Labor Party Senator, at a General Motors Dealership in the city - it was the first car I ever saw which had internal lights that came on automatically when the door opened. For some people US Dollars were available! But I can recall much talk about the shortage of U.S. Dollars. There was also much talk about "putting value back into the Pound" (this was of course pre Decimal Currency which did not arrive until 1966.) To-day we would laugh at anyone attempting to roll back inflation!

The day to day improvements in life in Australia in some way distracted us all from the dreadful thought of the Mushroom Cloud which might have overshadowed my optimism.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS 1947 SURROUNDS OUR BELOVED FATHER CON DONOVAN

YOUR BORN OPTIMIST IS SECOND FROM THE LEFT IN THE FRONT ROW

But it was not only material improvement that was affecting my life but also Spiritual and educational factors that were involved. In 1947 I made my First Holy Communion and my life was forever changed - far more than I knew at the time. Heart and mind and spirit I belonged to Christ and have done and will do to the end of the way. Educationally, I finished my Primary Schooling at St.Peter Chanel's Convent School run by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. (Nuns were authentic Nuns and devout Catholics in those days.) and in 1950 commenced in Fifth Class at Marist Brothers High School, Lidcombe. I can't recall any of my fellow students being concerned about the Bomb - if they were, it was not deemed worth talking about.

There exists in Australia what is popularly known as the "she be" system.It comes from the expression "she'll be right" that is: no need to worry about (whatever) it will be OK". As should be obvious this is NOT a noble approach to many situations, it is not an admirable way of proceeding. But it has its uses - I guess it was able to deal with Atomic Bomb anxieties!

EVER THE OPTIMIST PART 1 CHILD OF THE GREAT CRUSADE

Baby me just returned from the shop in late 1940/early 1941.
"Where is that war they are all talking about?"

 If all the norms of gestation were fully operational, it would seem that my life began on or about 9th July 1939. Mid Winter in Australia, July  was to feature the lowest temperature of the year at 4 Degrees Celsius, yet only five months later the 12thDecember, 1939 was to be the hottest of the year -  39Degrees Celsius.

But on that day of my likely conception, things were already "hotting up" in Europe. On that day, in the Free City of Danzig (Gdansk), thousands of Nazis gathered and demonstrated against Polish rights in Danzig, they heard Gau Leiter Forster predict that the Fuhrer Adolph Hitler would soon "liberate "the Free City of Danzig. They wanted Poland to give up the right to store weapons and munitions at Westerplatte at the entrance to Danzig Harbour.

Some weeks later, upon the expiry of an English Ultimatum, which the Nazis ignored, England and France declared war on Germany with the avowed purpose of freeing Poland from the Nazi invasion which Hitler had launched on 1st September,1939 immediately after springing on the Allies the shock that he had concluded a Non-Aggression Treaty with the Soviet Union! Australia announced on the same day that, "as a consequence" of England's action, we were also at war with Germany. On 17th September the Soviets also launched an invasion of Poland from their side.

These early months of the War from the Allied side, became the cause of much derisive comment. Many were expecting much more activity, and the term "Sitzkrieg" was coined (referring to the Nazi side "Blitzkrieg" - more polite folk used the term "The Phoney War".

True, the French did launch an attack on the German SAAR coal-mining and Industrial heartland, but within days they had been pushed back.


But, if one lived in Poland, the war was deadly real, and the Polish forces were hopelessly outmatched by the Nazis. By October Poland had fallen - squeezed to death by the Nazis from the West and the Soviets from the East. those naive Left inclined folk in the Allied Countries and in America, who had thought of the Soviets as among the "good guys" were bitterly disillusioned as the Soviet Army stopped on their side of the Vistula to allow the Nazis to subjugate the Poles and with particular ferocity to deal with the Jewish population.

NURSE BIGNALL's "Hospital" at Lidcombe where I was born0n 9th April.1940.

Meanwhile, at around 5.00 pm on Tuesday 9th April, I was born. I suppose it could be argued that by that very fact I was joining the great crusade which the war had become. For it was a crusade of GOOD (us of course!) against EVIL (the Nazis of course). I was to be 5 years old when the War, very much expanded and all-consuming - had finished. But there was never a time in that childhood that I was ever left in any doubt that WE would win. After all, GOOD triumphs......doesn't it? But this was already the time of "careful the child might hear you". Did my parents have anxieties about the result of the War that they never communicated to me?

CENSORSHIP

There was in place strict security censorship of the limited Media of the day: Radio, Press, and Newsreel at the "Pictures" as we called the Movies.

For example, on the day I was born THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD (then boasting it was in it's ONE HUNDRED AND NINTH YEAR OF PUBLICATION' and it cost Tuppence - two pennies in to-day's currency 1.66 cents ) carried this small item on Page 10. Pages 10 and 11 were primarily given over to War News:

"CENSORSHIP BAN  Ship at Honolulu FACTS BROADCAST BY B.B.C.

Canberra Monday

The Federal Cabinet will probably discuss the banning of all references in the newspapers to the departure of a certain ship from Honolulu. The arrival and departure of the ship was broadcast by the B.B.C. shortwave station, but nevertheless, censorship authorities in Australia prohibited any reference to the vessel. When the Prime Minister Mr. Menzies was asked whether he had any comment to make, he said that the Ministers would probably discuss censorship with particular reference to this question tomorrow."

It is an intriguing instance - the vessel was not the QUEEN ELIZABETH which was being converted to a troop carrier in New York. It being too early to be her.

 But there we have it - censorship in action, even if the paper was doing its best to challenge it. My parents did not take the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD but rather an evening Tabloid - so they would have been unlikely to see this little story.

QUEEN MARY AND QUEEN ELIZABETH PASS EXITING AND ENTERING SYDNEY HEADS 9thApril1941

But the task of censorship was not a simple thing when really big things were afoot! On my First Birthday, Sydney Harbour was the scene of something quite spectacular: in order to take tens of thousands of Australian troops to the war against the Nazis, Four of the largest Liners afloat entered Sydney Harbour on the same day. In peacetime, in those days, we would never have seen them - they were Liners NOT Cruise ships and their business was the trans-Atlantic passenger trade - they were QUEEN ELIZABETH 83,673 tons, QUEEN MARY 80.774 tons, AQUITANIA 45,647 tons and ILE DE FRANCE 43,153 tons.  By his marvelling repetition of their names, my Dad effectively drummed them into my brain over the coming years. But there was a double surprise for this TOP SECRET mission: over 100,000 people lined Sydney Heads and the foreshores to see the great "secret" spectacle. Of course, with so many thousands of soldiers under orders to ship out on the same day, everyone quickly got the message. On this occasion "loose lips, did NOT sink ships" since the speed of the Liners was too great for the submarines of the day.

The fact that the Empire of Japan had launched 70 Air attacks against the Port of Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory, between February 1942 and November 1943, did not become public knowledge until well after the War. That news had been censored.

So it is at least possible, that my parents did not consider defeat at all likely.

CATALOGUE OF WOES

Even so, the sledgehammer blows to allied confidence, which came in rapid succession and were reported, must have been heavily depressing :

in May-June 1940 the evacuation at Dunkirk

in June 1940 the fall of France

in May of 1941 the Loss of the "mighty" H.M.S. HOOD

in May-June, 1941 the fall of Greece and Crete

in July 1941 the fall of Syria and Lebanon

in December 1941 the fall of Tobruk

on 7th December 1941 devastating Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

on 10th December1941 the loss of Battleships H.M.S PRINCE OF WALES and REPULSE on their way to protect Singapore and the East

in February 1942, the fall of SINGAPORE

in August 1942, it seemed that Stalingrad would fall.

It was a catalogue of woes. Compensating actions such as the sinking of K.M.S. BISMARCK  and the success of the retreat from Dunkirk strangely metamorphosed into a type of moral victory, and the heroically defiant survival of Malta had significant psychological benefits, but there was no doubting who had the strategic upper hand.

BUT ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE

But for the little "born optimist" none of this disturbed my child-like tranquillity. In fact, major events continued even against the background of war preparations. Major events like my first visit to Santa Claus at Mark Foys - the "Catholic" Department Store in its Italianate building with its tiled external walls. The huge display windows were boarded up against possible air raid damage - I must have been told why -I was ever asking questions - but I cannot recall any anxiety at that. After all, I was to see SANTA!

20th December,1942 - Grandma Dixon firmly holding my hand. Note the Cloth Coat she is wearing and the hat and dress - older people, particularly those who saw themselves as Working Class  "dressed their age"1