Our Aussie Anthem- For Sale?

I like many other Aussies sat down last night to watch the state of origin.

I've always liked the pre-game build up to any big footy game and over the years I've got kind of used to the next big star coming out to sign their new single and then putting in a half baked effort on "Advance Australia fair".

Channel nine rolled out Deltra Goodrem who (by the way) has a new album out and is a star of the networks hot new show "The Voice".

But then something strange happened.

A young girl in a red dress, red hair and looking very much like the girl from Annie the musical comes out to sing the anthem.

Off she goes -and in her best New York City orphans accent sings "Australian's all let us rejoice"

Hang on I say, it is Annie!- Is this the national anthem or "The sun will come out tomorrow"?

Don’t get me wrong, she could sign, but why not put her out there in her best Sunday dress and say- “Here’s a talented young Aussie now performing on stage in the musical Annie”

I don’t particularly like Advance Australia Fair but it is ours isn’t it?

I’d rather see our own head Ranga Julia Gillard murder the tune as opposed to a bloody made up American fairytale icon.

How did the event and TV producers get to a point where they thought letting the national anthem be used as an advert for a musical is a good idea?

Our anthem is not the best going around, but it is our anthem. We shouldn't let it be used to promote a musical about a quintessential American rags to riches story. We've got enough in our own heritage to celebrate without resorting to well worn overseas imports.

Let’s get back to the Aussie tradition of butchering the anthem on our own terms

What do you think?

Law Graduation 2012 - a note of thanks

In 2003 I took a giant leap and enrolled in a Law Degree at Macquarie University. It was something I wanted to do from the time I left school, but never had the opportunity to do.

As many of you would know, life has taken me down differing paths, but yesterday I celebrated with my family, an important pit-stop along the way.

It's ironic, but a yesterdays graduation ceremony I actually said to myself. "are you sure you are really sitting here?"

It hasn't always been easy, but there is no sense of achievement in life without having to work hard for it. I equate my law degree to having run a marathon and fallen just over the finish line!

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to a few people for getting me through to the finish.

There a large number of people in both Bathurst and Coffs Harbour as well as old Albies mates, who kept patting me on the back, all along the way. They will never know how much small words of encouragement have helped me focus and keep going. So to all of you, thanks for saying "good on you".

I'd to thank all of my family and friends for their support and encouragement over the last 8 years. To Liam and Junie, Maria, Simmo and the girls. It's amazing what you can achieve when those around you keep encouraging you to do your best.

I am especially grateful to the Sydney connection of the Shaw and Conlon families for feeding, housing and supporting me each time I was in Sydney for uni.

I'd like to thank Robyn for getting me my first job in the law game and Heather McKinnon for taking a punt on the oldest Law Clerk to ever walk through her door.

I know that I have spent at least the last four years buried in books, judgments and journal articles. This has meant I have been a little absent as a dad and I apologise to Georgia, Lilli, Mac, Ollie and Poppy for not being around as much as I should have been. I hope that our collective sacrifice will be worth it for all of us. It gave me a great amount of happiness to have you all my graduation yesterday, sharing it with me. There is certainly more of you than when I graduated in my first degree.

Of course, I missed the little bloke and when the Dean read out my name I said, "thank you Hugie" so that he knew that he will always be a part of anything I do in my life.

I promised my Dad before we lost him that I would wear his tie on my graduation day. You'll see in the photos a very ragged 1987 Rugby World Cup tie, but it's the only one he every really wore. I know he would have been proud of me yesterday and can hear him say, "well done pal!"

I'd like to save my greatest thanks for my beautiful wife Rachael. There is no doubt that she has once again put her own life goals on the back burner, just so I could achieve mine.

She is selfless and there is absolutely no way I could have graduated without her taking up the slack I left behind, whilst I was studying. She never once questioned why I decided to study law, she only offered her love and support. She is also more beautiful to me today than she was when I first laid eyes on her.

love to all

APS

Coffs Duathalon

Hugo's Carnival Part Three

Late in the day a number of kids who knew Hugo decided they would write his name on thier backs in Zinc cream. Here's a selection of them. Thank must go to our official family photographer Cath.

Check out the following link for more photos

http://picasaweb.google.com/angussmyth/HugoSCarnival

Hugo's Carnival Part Two

The competitors were briefed on the purpose of the event and that seemed to encourage everyone to have fun.

Hugo's Carnival Part One

As some would know, Rach has been working hard behind the scenes to create the Hugo Smyth Memorial Classic. The event has been designed as a marque junior surf event, to not only celebrate Hugo's short life, but to raise money to help spread the water saftey message.

see link http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2008/11/27/classic-a-way-to-remember-hugo/

We had 100 kids register to compete in the event which was a fantastic start in it's 1st year. Competitors came from as far south as Port Macquarie and North to Lennox Head.

The compeition was of an extremely high standard and featured the highlight event "Hugo's Island Classic". This involved a board paddle for each age group out and around Little Mutton Bird Island. The distance was around 2km which was a great challange for the youngsters.

Georgia, Lilli and Mackenzie all competed. The day finished with a 2km soft sand run.

The highlight of the day from the Smyth point of view was Mac's win in the U11 Hugo's classic. As you could imagine this brought on a few tears.

Here's a sample of the action.

Some of the Pro's in the Under 17's

Mac comes in P1

He can catch "a ripple in the bathtub"

"We have to paddle how far?"

Woolgoolga Carnival

The second Branch carnival was held at Woolgoolga.

Georgia in a pensive mood
Mac in the flags

Lilli jumps off

Mac and Carrie

Jetty Carnival

Here's some action from the first carnival of the season

Ollie with his game face on

Mac's Board race

Coming in from the Ironman

Stand Up Paddle Action

Rach and georgis took some tutition from the stand-up paddleboard master.

Poppy's Circus Party

Poppy really wanted to have a circus party this year. We invited all of Poppy's class to join us at the circus. Rach once again out did herself with the food and decorations.

KS from St Augustines and a few Hangers on!
The Circus Banquet

The Circus Cake

Smyth Clowns! (Ollie a Sad Clown)

Poppy and Meg

Lill's Kids News

More action form the Apple mac with Lilli's first edition of Kids News. This is about 3 and a half minutes long so be patient. Note the two idiots in the background who poke thier head in. Also check out how Lilli speaks to her mother.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=AkKefvMgbHo

Poppy and Hugo's Birthday

September 29th rolled around very quickly and it was time to celebrate Poppy's 6th and Hugo's 4th Birthday. Angus was in Sydney at a residential school staying with the Conlons and missed the opening of the presents and the birthday dinner.

The gang had the day with friends and Poppy blew out the Circus themed cake. (see circus party item). Poppy was very excited to recieve her new bike as a birthday present.

Infants Athletics Carnival

Kindegarten to Year 2 had thier althletics carnival. As you can see Poppy had the aerodynamic pigtails working. By the look on Ollie's face he was putting in the bigones!

Poppy goes Psycho

We bought a new Apple Mac and the kids have been playing with the camera. Click on the link below to see some of the kids handywork. This video shows Mac and Ollie trying to freestyle rap. Keep your eye on Poppy and you'll see just how well she can hold her own. The look on her face has been handed down to her by Lilli

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=0_CxdrJ_x38

Under 10's v BDC

The boys had a big match against Bishop Druitt in an inter-school challange. It was a hard fought match in about 25 degree heat. St Augustines tuffed it out for a 5-0 win

Woopi Fun Run

Lilli travelled up to Woolgoolga with Steve and Cath to have a crack at the Woopi fun run. The distance was 5km. Lilli thinks she came second but can't really remember.

Lilli in her normal pre-race good mood!

August Ski Trip

Gramps took the clan to Perisher for the annual ski trip. This year the Burgess family came along for the ride. Angus stayed home to do his assignments.

Everyone had a great time as the conditions were perfect. Rach didn't want to come home.

Click on this link to see a slide show of all the photos (about 5 mins)

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=y67xP7IrEw8

The Crew having a break at mid-station
Bronte and Mac at Guthega

The Team Photo (Emma and Zoe Burgess are the extras)

Thanks Lilli

Isn't Poppy lucky to have a big sister who likes to dress her up. As you can see lilli has done her best to make Pop look like deb from Nepoleon Dynamite. What do you think?

Ollie's Eighth Birthday

Ollie Smyth turned eight today and is now the owner of a brand new BMX.

Gold Coast Marathon

We travelled up to the Gold Coast for Lilli to test herself out on a longer distance, the 10km race that forms part of the Gold Coast Marathon.

Lil finished 85th female over the line but came 5th in her age group. A great effort in her first 10km Race.

Rach also decided at the last minute to compete in the 21km Half-Marathon. A great effort Rach

Allez le Blue

Junie and Liam took the boys to the second test against the French in Brisbane. As both Mac and Oly are now playing they were very excited to go to an International even more excited to be going with uncle Liamy

Oly didn't know what to do about the mad french lady sitting behind him.

School Social Season

Poppy and Ollie had thier school social this week.

Pop looked very cute as a fairy. Ollie was the cool hippy dude!!

Mackenzie turns 10

Mac reached double figures this year. You can see his new guitar in the background of this photo. Mac got a heap of new clothes and a 12 month subscription to Tracks magazine which he was pretty pleased with.