au
25,000 die each year when travelling

25,000 die each year when travelling

In every decade of my Christian life, I can recall news items in both the secular and Christian media where mission people (from the West) have lost their lives in a variety of ways. Some through MAF air crashes, some through misadventure, many as a result of murder and yes, some in car accidents. .

  • What happens when you least expect it!

    I remember an episodes of the British comedy 'Monty Python' in which a repeated catch-phrase was "NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition", and then there would be a short skit that involved 'Spanish Inquisitors' intruding on whatever the other 'action' was happening at the time.

  • Overland from night to day

    The \'Overland\' is one of Australia's great 'name' trains. It runs between Adelaide and Melbourne each way, and now under the new ownership of Great Southern Rail it has become one of the great \'day\' train journeys of the nation.

  • Tourist fashions

    What to wear when on holiday can be a puzzling question. I have been looking at some local knowledge and customs about dress and I urge tourists to be careful to research this question before they travel.

  • Revisiting Australia's Bush Orchestra

    Recently it was my privilege to visit my former stamping ground of Moruya (New South Wales south coast). We moved there in 1992 and stayed 14 years. During that time, we developed the athlete respite facility Basil Sellers House for Australian Institute of Sport athletes. Our mission, Well-Being Australia diversified during that time to encompass art and tourism ministries (under the general umbrella of the importance of 'respite'), as well as the sports ministry.

  • The Gold Coast was once known for metre maids!

    Yes, the Gold Coast SuperV8\'s is over (Sunday 24 October). But I found two recent articles from the Courier Mail both hilarious and serious. News.com reported that a previously approved plan to have 150 bikini-clad models run down the Bundall Racetrack on December 4th had been knocked on the head.

  • Ric Charlesworth: hockey coach extraordinaire!

    I have been a supporter of the Australian men's hockey coach, Ric Charlesworth. Along with many sports commentators, I wish to publicly congratulate him on the Kookaburras' 8-0 drubbing over India in the Commonwealth Games Hockey Final.

  • Red Frogs!

    Mark Gellie from Red Frogs recently gave me an insight into this amazing volunteer schoolies support organisation. As schoolies approaches, the Red Frogs volunteers will distribute over 10 tonne of Allens Red Frog lollies to school leavers, with the lolly now serving as their familiar calling card.

  • Reflecting on that 2010 AFL grand-final 'draw

    Reflecting on the AFL grand final \'draw\' a few weeks ago, it was disappointing not to get a result but I acknowledge there need to be rules and a re-match was required. I also noted that for the grand final re-match, the rules were changed to ensure a result on the day. Cricket needed the Melbourne Cricket Ground the following weekend.

  • Why children need a mother and a father

    There are many thousands of studies which have appeared over the past four to five decades showing quite clearly how absolutely important biological mothers and fathers are to the well-being of their children. Study after study has shown that no other factor is more vital to the healthy development of children than having a mum and a dad.

  • Would you buy a car from an online car salesman?

    As the Sydney Motor Show is upon us I thought it provident to say that I am not a \'seriously passionate motor-vehicle buff\'. No, I do not attend motor shows, nor do I troll new vehicle showrooms, and I most certainly don\'t religiously watch television motoring programs.

  • Politicians fit the Perfect Plan?

    Sometimes we hear others decrying our political leaders. For example, the whole process and controversy surrounding the recent election of our Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has sparked passionate personal opinions about the 'fairness' or 'unfairness' of the various political processes; and about the veracity of Gillard's personal views.