The unequivocal winner of the 2009 Australian of the Year award will come as no surprise to anyone.
Refreshingly, this year’s choice is a completely apolitical and post-racial one, as our winner has chosen to spend his life in service to all Australians regardless of race, colour, creed or political leanings. Our 2009 Australian of the Year is a brave yet modest hero whose his skill and courage typify all that is great about our armed forces.
Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of millions of proud and grateful Australians, I present the 2009 Australian of the Year award to Trooper Mark Donaldson , true Australian hero and the first Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross since 1969.
Trooper Mark Donaldson VC, Australia salutes you.
~~~
* Okay, in reality Kevin Rudd went for symbolism over substance, once again. Quel surpris. Colour me distinctly unimpressed. As is Andrew Bolt. And Kae. And Margo’s Maid’s Shadowlands, where they not only saw this coming but have a must-read post on he-who-doesn’t-deserve-to-be-named-in-this-post. [Update: via Kae, "Janet Albrechtsen at the Australian speaks about the ungracious winner"]
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UPDATE: Speaking of must-read posts, if you click no other link here DO CLICK this one: Australia Day 2009. Private Greg Sher, deployed to Afghanistan with 1st Commando Regiment, served with the Special Operations Task Group. He was killed in a Taliban rocket attack on 4th January, 2009. Greg’s brother Steven wrote this piece.
My most sincere thanks on this day and every day to all those who so selflessly defend our safety and freedom. “Lest we forget.”
January 26, 2009, 8:28 pm at 8:28 pm
Thanks Dude, well harvested.
Check out Albrechtsen’s item in the Aus today… link in my blog and also has it’s own post in my blog. (Can’t be bothered finding it, gotta go!)
January 26, 2009, 10:26 pm at 10:26 pm
I was thinking of putting in a little link to the awards myself, based on one of the Lawyertards who recieved the companion to the order.
Ms Marion le was a lawyer who was responsible for the tactic of detainees suddenly going “mad” (About as convincing as Blackadders “wibble!” efforts)
They would then be sent to Greylands pschiatric unit for treatment, while there she would get a court injunction preventing them from being returned to the centres.
She pulled the trick 3 times I was present for, then Immigration had a little chat to her and got it stopped.
Remarkable how (Again I was present for 2 of these ones as well) she was able to schedule a meeting the day after the detainee arrived, almost as though it was pre-planned or something.
Im all for scrapping the awards when they are given out like this.
And the unnamed winner of Aussie of the year?
Given that this is what he has been working on at the UN hes not an Aussie at all.
http://www.iwgia.org/sw248.asp
http://iwgia.synkron.com/graphics/Synkron-Library/Documents/InternationalProcesses/DraftDeclaration/07-09-13ResolutiontextDeclaration.pdf
Recognizing in particular the right of indigenous families and communities to
Retain shared responsibility for the upbringing, training, education and well-being of
Their children, consistent with the rights of the child,
Otherwise known as ” kids to be left with abusers just because they are black”
Bearing in mind that nothing in this Declaration may be used to deny any
Peoples their right to self-determination, exercised in conformity with international
Law,
Tell me how that is workable within one country???
Article 3
Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right
They freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social
And cultural development.
Same shit different bucket.
Article 4
Indigenous peoples, in exercising their right to self-determination, have the
Right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local
Affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their autonomous functions.
Similar but with the proviso they must be funded….somehow?
Article 5
Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct
Political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions, while retaining their right
To participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural
Life of the State.
Separate legal systems as well??
2. Indigenous peoples have the collective right to live in freedom, peace
And security as distinct peoples and shall not be subjected to any act of genocide or
Any other act of violence, including forcibly removing children of the group to
Another group.
Article 14
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to establish and control their
Educational systems and institutions providing education in their own languages, in
A manner appropriate to their cultural methods of teaching and learning.
So teaching them English will be banned?
Article 16
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to establish their own media in their
Own languages and to have access to all forms of non-indigenous media without
Discrimination.
2. States shall take effective measures to ensure that State-owned media
Duly reflect indigenous cultural diversity. States, without prejudice to ensuring full
Freedom of expression, should encourage privately owned media to adequately
Reflect indigenous cultural diversity.
So the ABC will be transmitting in 50 dialects??
Article 18
Indigenous peoples have the right to participate in decision-making in matters
Which would affect their rights, through representatives chosen by themselves in
Accordance with their own procedures, as well as to maintain and develop their own
Indigenous decision-making institutions.
Heloooo ATSIC again…
Read the whole thing and tell me what the courts could do with this shit to “defer” to.
Rudd has committed to signing up for this shit sandwitch, I hope its on election promise he breaks.