Wine of the Week:
Gartelmann Sparkling Shiraz 2007 - I am a fan of red and a fan of bubbles so when a sparkling shiraz wants to talk, I will listen. Generally, a sparkling shiraz is something that comes out at Christmas and goes down well with ham and turkey. It has enough body to suit such flavoursome foods. That said, it goes down really well with an Australia Day sausage sizzle.
Gartelmann Wines are situated in the Lovedale region of the Hunter Valley. It is a winery that has a friendly atmosphere and has many more wines to sample while you are there. The Diedrich Shiraz and the Benjamin Semillon being their flagship wines.
http://www.gartelmann.com.au
Rockdale Town Hall, September 1975. That was the month that the Moorgas Family were sworn in as citizens of Australia. From what I remember (and I was only three at the time), it was a very formal occasion in a very dark hall. There wasn't any morning tea or tree to take home like there is with today's ceremonies. However, it was a significant day as it finalised the commitment my family had to start a new life in a new country.
I have always been grateful for the decision my family made to move to Australia and start a new life. In turn, I am thankful that the country that they decided to move to allowed them to follow their dreams and make the most of what the country had to offer for themselves and their children.
So I guess that come every January 26th, I am personally thankful for what I think Australia is and what it should be; a country that encourages you to be your best, reach your goals and provide that opportunity to all it's citizens. A vibrant, dynamic and above all a compassionate country.
And while we all should feel lucky to live here, it doesn't mean that we shouldn't think and debate ways to improve and keep moving Australia forward. If we don't, we become stagnate and complacent which is always a dangerous thing.
In recent years, Australia Day also brings up debate around two subjects in particular; the Flag and the Day itself, which as I said previously isn't such a bad thing.
When it comes to the Flag, I don't have a deep desire to change it because it has a Union Jack in the corner. The only concern I have about the current flag is that in some circles it is also referred to as a "Cronulla Cape"...
That said, if an alternative comes up that I like I would be happy to consider changing it. I don't think changing our flag would disrespect those who have come before us under the existing one...that is where learning about our history and honouring it comes into play.
Which brings us to what do we celebrate on Australia Day. By definition, it commemorates European settlement in this land in 1788 and as we all know, the history of this land extends earlier than that. As a result, there have been some recent arguments to scrap Australia Day and come up with a new day that isn't linked to Captain Cook's stop at Kurnell and allows us to honour the entire history of this land. Debate about this gets emotional and rightly so.
For me, like the country maybe Australia Day has to evolve. I don't think we have to change the day but I do think we need to celebrate and honour our Country's entire history. It's like the fact that I thought it was fine to have a welcoming address from Aboriginal elders prior to each Ashes test this summer. I also thought it was pretty cool to hear 'Advance Australia Fair' with an Aboriginal verse prior to the third State of Origin last year.
At the same time, we also need to celebrate the type of Australia we want for the future. During the summer break while driving and listening to ABC Radio, the question was asked 'What is the national mood?' It led me to think about that question and invariably what type of Australia I would like to live in - a topic that I have touched on previously.
Recent events in Queensland and Victoria have shown that we are a nation that is still compassionate and willing to help each other out in times of need. That is something I hope doesn't change. Add tolerance and the continued ability to offer all a fair-go and I think we will have the mix pretty much spot on.
So Happy Australia Day to you all and as for me, I will go and sit in front of the tele with some Cheezels and Violet Crumbles and watch "The Castle" all over again...ah, the serenity.
*Thanks to Shane Jacobson for this immortal line from the movie "Kenny".
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
A not so happy new year for the Baggy Green
Wine of the Week:
Piggs Peake Suckling Pig Shiraz - I had the absolute pleasure of sipping (as one must do) this dessert wine twice. Once at a christmas lunch at the Winery in Surry Hills http://thegazebos.com.au/winery/
The second time on New Year's Eve at our friends' (Rick & Nadia) place in Forster. It was a perfect way to top off both occasions. One should always have a bottle on hand just in case...http://www.piggspeake.com/
Firstly, dear friends happy new year! I hope that 2011 brings you all good times and good fortune. The new year always provides an opportunity to take stock of the year gone by, what opportunities may arise in the new year and what plans can be put in place to take advantage of said opportunities. A fresh start. A clean slate. A time to ask questions and seek answers.
Which leads me to my first question for 2011...What the f*** happened to the Australian Cricket Team???
So the Ashes series ends and it is a 3-1 win to the English. Despite many of the dark moments during the Test summer, I maintained some degree of faith in our supposedly top eleven cricketers. That is until Day 3, post-lunch session when Cook and Bell batted the whole session and the Australian bowling, fielding and general demeanour crumbled under the weight of England's dominance. That to me was the low point as opposed to the Melbourne Boxing Day massacre of 2010.
So, here are some of my observations from the last six or so weeks of the Ashes Series.
1. We don't lose well. Not that I want to make it a habit but as a country, we don't lose with the good grace that we should. England were far and away the better team. We were outplanned and outplayed and they should be given the due credit for playing Australia off the park. Instead, we have been tearing our team apart. Don't get me wrong, they deserve it but it does lead us to not give credit where credit is due.
2. Test Cricket is alive and well - in Australia anyway. The advent of 20/20 has made it's impact but as it becomes more of a franchise system and international players become guns for hire, Test Cricket becomes the last bastion of national fervour and pride. Attendances were booming and everyone was talking about the series; more so as the results went against the home side.
3. It was worse in real life. I watched the majority of this series on the TV; which included the loss in Melbourne. Yet, I still had faith that they could draw the series at least. I was at the SCG for the first three days and left with nothing. All my faith had gone and all that was left was to see how bad the defeat would be.
4. No one is blameless and everyone is accountable. In my view, that pretty much sums up Australia at the moment. Which makes Andrew Hilditch's proclamation on Friday that his panel did their job and the loss isn't their fault even more laughable. That comment alone should see him lose his job because the man is clearly insane. If not for that but for his panel's inexplicable policy on the role of a spinner and their related selections. I have more to say on the specifics but will leave that to the end for the cricket devotees.
5. The Barmy Army are a class act. Love them or hate them, the Barmy Army are all class. They entertain the crowd, the songs are actually funny (even though they forever ruined my favourite Joy Division song. I found myself singing as I was getting ready for Day 3 "Swann...Swann will tear you apart...again") and they are genuine in their support for their team and the game. That and their t-shirts that they produced for Jane McGrath Day and the McGrath Foundation were priceless. My only disappointment was that they were all sold out before I decided to buy one.
In short, not a great way to start the sporting year but truth be told, one we deserve. It will be a long rebuilding process for the Australians and while the our coming back to the pack shouldn't be a surprise, the fact that our performances during this series were deplorable was.
Here is where those non-cricket devotees should log off as there are some specific areas that need to be addressed.
1. Captaincy: I believe that Ricky Ponting is still the best candidate to captain Australia. The question that needs to be asked is does he think so himself and does can he commit to lead the side to England in 2013 at 39 years of age? When answering this question, he needs to consider not only his captaincy but his role as a top six batsman. I was inclined to let Ponting name his own departure time but in recent days I have reconsidered it. If he thinks he can make 2013 then let him do it. If not, then I would suggest that he resign after the World Cup in March and hand the reins over to the next in line.
Why? Australia have two crucial series in South Africa in September and India next summer here. If we are looking for someone other than Ponting to be leading in England in 2013, they must be given sufficient time to build their side prior to this which includes a baptism of fire with these two series. We may lose these series but it will allow a new captain to build the side he wants. Question is, who is that person. I say Michael Clarke but he has to get in some batting form pretty damn quickly.
2. Bowling: Peter Siddle is the only bowler who warrants retaining at the moment. Trouble is that Siddle isn't a strike bowler. He is the workhorse that ties up one end while the strike bowlers get the wickets. For me, Hilfenhaus has played his last Test as has Mitchell Johnson despite his efforts in Perth. Scary thing is, the debacle over whether he was dropped or rested in Adelaide shows that he is untouchable under the current selection policy. After this series, he is no longer entitled to such protection and should be out on his ear until he finds consistency.
As for the spinner, the sooner that Australia changes it's game plan from the one that they have used in the past fifteen years the better. S.K. Warne was a freak and should be treated as such. If we don't have a spinner who can be used as a strike bowler, then don't select one as a strike bowler. That and we really need to pick and stick with our spinners.
3. Batsmen: Different formats call for different approaches and in test cricket, you have to be able to bat as the game demands. This means being more judicious around shot selection, know which ones to leave and ones to play as well as move your feet. That and a realisation that four to five of the top six batsmen need to fire for Australia to get themselves in a position to win. I would stick with Hughes and Steve Smith on the provisor that they learn the above, Shane Watson move down the order along with Ricky Ponting and bring in Callum Ferguson somewhere in the order. This may mean Michael Hussey moving on but Melbourne and Sydney showed some signs of some bad habits appearing again. Brad Haddin needs to move his feet when batting otherwise the drums around Tim Paine will only get louder.
4. Selectors: As mentioned before, Andrew Hilditch has done his dash and must go. The man is a loon.
Piggs Peake Suckling Pig Shiraz - I had the absolute pleasure of sipping (as one must do) this dessert wine twice. Once at a christmas lunch at the Winery in Surry Hills http://thegazebos.com.au/winery/
The second time on New Year's Eve at our friends' (Rick & Nadia) place in Forster. It was a perfect way to top off both occasions. One should always have a bottle on hand just in case...http://www.piggspeake.com/
Firstly, dear friends happy new year! I hope that 2011 brings you all good times and good fortune. The new year always provides an opportunity to take stock of the year gone by, what opportunities may arise in the new year and what plans can be put in place to take advantage of said opportunities. A fresh start. A clean slate. A time to ask questions and seek answers.
Which leads me to my first question for 2011...What the f*** happened to the Australian Cricket Team???
So the Ashes series ends and it is a 3-1 win to the English. Despite many of the dark moments during the Test summer, I maintained some degree of faith in our supposedly top eleven cricketers. That is until Day 3, post-lunch session when Cook and Bell batted the whole session and the Australian bowling, fielding and general demeanour crumbled under the weight of England's dominance. That to me was the low point as opposed to the Melbourne Boxing Day massacre of 2010.
So, here are some of my observations from the last six or so weeks of the Ashes Series.
1. We don't lose well. Not that I want to make it a habit but as a country, we don't lose with the good grace that we should. England were far and away the better team. We were outplanned and outplayed and they should be given the due credit for playing Australia off the park. Instead, we have been tearing our team apart. Don't get me wrong, they deserve it but it does lead us to not give credit where credit is due.
2. Test Cricket is alive and well - in Australia anyway. The advent of 20/20 has made it's impact but as it becomes more of a franchise system and international players become guns for hire, Test Cricket becomes the last bastion of national fervour and pride. Attendances were booming and everyone was talking about the series; more so as the results went against the home side.
3. It was worse in real life. I watched the majority of this series on the TV; which included the loss in Melbourne. Yet, I still had faith that they could draw the series at least. I was at the SCG for the first three days and left with nothing. All my faith had gone and all that was left was to see how bad the defeat would be.
4. No one is blameless and everyone is accountable. In my view, that pretty much sums up Australia at the moment. Which makes Andrew Hilditch's proclamation on Friday that his panel did their job and the loss isn't their fault even more laughable. That comment alone should see him lose his job because the man is clearly insane. If not for that but for his panel's inexplicable policy on the role of a spinner and their related selections. I have more to say on the specifics but will leave that to the end for the cricket devotees.
5. The Barmy Army are a class act. Love them or hate them, the Barmy Army are all class. They entertain the crowd, the songs are actually funny (even though they forever ruined my favourite Joy Division song. I found myself singing as I was getting ready for Day 3 "Swann...Swann will tear you apart...again") and they are genuine in their support for their team and the game. That and their t-shirts that they produced for Jane McGrath Day and the McGrath Foundation were priceless. My only disappointment was that they were all sold out before I decided to buy one.
In short, not a great way to start the sporting year but truth be told, one we deserve. It will be a long rebuilding process for the Australians and while the our coming back to the pack shouldn't be a surprise, the fact that our performances during this series were deplorable was.
Here is where those non-cricket devotees should log off as there are some specific areas that need to be addressed.
1. Captaincy: I believe that Ricky Ponting is still the best candidate to captain Australia. The question that needs to be asked is does he think so himself and does can he commit to lead the side to England in 2013 at 39 years of age? When answering this question, he needs to consider not only his captaincy but his role as a top six batsman. I was inclined to let Ponting name his own departure time but in recent days I have reconsidered it. If he thinks he can make 2013 then let him do it. If not, then I would suggest that he resign after the World Cup in March and hand the reins over to the next in line.
Why? Australia have two crucial series in South Africa in September and India next summer here. If we are looking for someone other than Ponting to be leading in England in 2013, they must be given sufficient time to build their side prior to this which includes a baptism of fire with these two series. We may lose these series but it will allow a new captain to build the side he wants. Question is, who is that person. I say Michael Clarke but he has to get in some batting form pretty damn quickly.
2. Bowling: Peter Siddle is the only bowler who warrants retaining at the moment. Trouble is that Siddle isn't a strike bowler. He is the workhorse that ties up one end while the strike bowlers get the wickets. For me, Hilfenhaus has played his last Test as has Mitchell Johnson despite his efforts in Perth. Scary thing is, the debacle over whether he was dropped or rested in Adelaide shows that he is untouchable under the current selection policy. After this series, he is no longer entitled to such protection and should be out on his ear until he finds consistency.
As for the spinner, the sooner that Australia changes it's game plan from the one that they have used in the past fifteen years the better. S.K. Warne was a freak and should be treated as such. If we don't have a spinner who can be used as a strike bowler, then don't select one as a strike bowler. That and we really need to pick and stick with our spinners.
3. Batsmen: Different formats call for different approaches and in test cricket, you have to be able to bat as the game demands. This means being more judicious around shot selection, know which ones to leave and ones to play as well as move your feet. That and a realisation that four to five of the top six batsmen need to fire for Australia to get themselves in a position to win. I would stick with Hughes and Steve Smith on the provisor that they learn the above, Shane Watson move down the order along with Ricky Ponting and bring in Callum Ferguson somewhere in the order. This may mean Michael Hussey moving on but Melbourne and Sydney showed some signs of some bad habits appearing again. Brad Haddin needs to move his feet when batting otherwise the drums around Tim Paine will only get louder.
4. Selectors: As mentioned before, Andrew Hilditch has done his dash and must go. The man is a loon.
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