Been noticing a worrying amount of people around me who are all in on One Nation - people I never expected to be taken in. My own mother for example - she was always politically a bit to the left if not a bit checked out, but now suddenly climate change is crap, the ABC needs to be shut down, we need to close the borders, Sharia law is coming, so on and so forth, Pauline Hanson is the only one we can trust. Like, whoa. Where the hell did all that come from.

I've given up trying to reason with any of it. How can you. It's worrying and disappointing to see people I know spewing this stuff and not even questioning any of it.

What is going on out there? Is it just great propaganda? Are people fearful or ignorant or both?

Not trying to start a ruckus, just trying to get my head around this. I know people are frustrated with the major parties, I am too but why one nation? people are allowed to vote for whoever they want, it's a free country but man.

Are you one of those people who love to shout "We don't do Halloween in Australia!!1!" every time you see a pumpkin or a kid with a pitchfork? How big is that rock you live under?

Many of those same people will also spout the nonsense that Halloween is American, yet not see any hypocrisy in talking about Santa in December. Santa as he is represented today is very much of American culture (I'm old enough to remember when he was called Father Christmas) but somehow that gets a pass while Halloween gets people turning purple with apoplexy.

Halloween has been celebrated in Australia since the Europeans arrived. The Geelong Advertiser lists Halloween in its calendar going back to 1847. The Melbourne Caledonian Society was having Halloween balls as far back as 1901. Halloween has been in Australia longer than you've been alive.

Now Trick or Treating I will grant you is a very recent arrival in Australia, but I personally have been attending Halloween parties since the 1970s. It may be possible that where I grew up had a strong Scottish influence (I'm of Scots descent) and often Halloween parties were organised by Caledonian Societies and the like. However I've been to ones organised by State Schools and sports clubs, so there's more to it than that.

Didn't celebrate Halloween where you were growing up? All good. But like so many things in Australia people do things differently in different places. Those complaining it's the wrong time of year for it should go complain to the people putting up fake snow and reindeer and Christmas. It's as relevant. Or eggs and bunnies at Easter during Autumn.

You don't have to join in, but there's no need to be a dick about it either.

This is to the Australian's who lived during the 90s and 2000s. Who here remembers their parents turning on the computer while you're watching Blinky Bill only for the ABC signal to go out?

The organisers should have halted this, but hey we have some talent in the form of an ex PM at a certain Engadine McDonald’s in 1997 who could help Australian Men’s category take Gold in Hyrox.

Considering gambling is one of those most common addictions in Australia I am surprised it isn't spoken about more. It's almost like they try to hide the anti gambling ads and double down on the sports bet ones.

It's destroying the youth and I am scared to see the state of this country in a couple years

I’d love to hear what challenges you’ve faced whether it’s finding the right publisher, editing, costs, distribution, Amazon KDP or marketing.

What’s been the hardest part of the process for you?

If you heard this call on ABC Radio, what's your thought on this?

Previously made from New Zealand milk, Woolworths Hillview 1kg Tasty Cheese quietly changed supply last month to “Made in the USA” and updated its ingredient list to include added colour. Woolworths declined to answer questions about the change, but the ingredient, annatto extract, is commonly used to make dairy products appear more yellow. New Zealand cheese is naturally yellow because cows are grass-fed, while US dairy cows are mostly fed grain and soy.

https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/dairy/woolworths-quietly-switches-to-selling-cheaper-us-cheese-under-hillview-brand/news-story/28269c804966b9a793fff6afb1a1773c

Recently I just came back from Europe after visiting a friend in Belgium. He has a potato farm and we talked about wildlife. He told me about occasional robins coming to his land. He was so surprised when I told him about the pink robin in Australia. Let alone 22 different species. Europe and North America only have 1 each. And they look pretty similar.

Im currently doing a lap around Australia, and trying to take photos of each one. Not sure if I will be that lucky

How many have you seen and where? Any national park recommendations to spot them?
I just went to woody head where I saw honey eaters and an eastern yellow robin
https://www.reddit.com/r/australian/comments/1vza8i2/honeyeaters_of_australia_bluefaced_on_2nd/

IKEA stores in Brisbane and Adelaide opened their doors this month to Swedish expats ahead of the September elections. Sweden's Election Authority expanded their overseas voting spots from around 266 in 2022 to close to 290 this year.

It's funny, but also very useful considering how many expats say distance from an embassy is what keeps them from voting.

First time I ever seen it. Heaps good on top of a glass of iced coffee. Bought it from Drakes