Corporal Baird
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Tasmania’s Corporal Cameron Baird VC has again been honoured - this time by Australia Post in their recent ‘Australian Legends’ Award.
The ‘Australian Legends’ Award recognises inspirational Australians who have made a significant impact on Australian culture and honours them on a stamp.
This year, Australia’s most recent Victoria Cross winners were honoured.
The Victoria Cross is the highest award for acts of bravery in wartime for British and Commonwealth armed forces.
It has been awarded to only 100 Australians since its creation in 1856. Of those 100, 14 have been awarded to Tasmanians - a tremendous record and one of which this state can be proud.
Cpl Baird VC, the most recent Tasmanian recipient, was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously, after sadly being killed in action whilst serving in Afghanistan.
Australia Post are to be commended on their fitting decision in this Centenary of ANZAC period.
- GUY BARNETT, Lyons Liberal MHA.
Bali Nine
I HAVE been deeply saddened by the judgmental hatred of radio talk back hosts regarding the two condemned Australians in Bali.
Australia's tenet is: "a fair go."
Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have bettered many Balinese prisoners' lives, and not from the comfort of a swivel chair.
One can only wonder how these hosts have lived without ever making a mistake (and learning from this).
We are all human beings and we owe it to each other to give a second chance.
We live in the lucky country but hatred destroys any Paradise.
- JILL SHEEHAN, NSW.
Baroque Festival
So the Hobart Baroque Festival has moved to Brisbane, much to the dismay of many Tasmanians.
Never mind, it seems that in the near future, direct from Canberra, the Tony Comedy Show, complete with a troupe of world famous clowns, may be heading our way.
I'm sure we would all support this well known Aussie comedian in his next venture.
After all, they say that laughter is the best medicine and Tony is the best doctor for that.
- GLENNIS SLEURINK, Launceston.
Prince Philip
I CAN imagine the Deans at Oxford (Tony was an Oxford scholar) raising their eyebrows wondering where they went wrong, Sir Prince Philip!
Could only come from down under they would mutter.
And here is a quiet tip for Tony's minders and advisers, "Don't let the Captain out of your sight".
- HUGH BOYD, Launceston.
Prince Philip 1
I SUBSCRIBE to a quality English royal magazine called Majesty.
Two issues ago there was a picture of the Queen presenting Prince Philip with the insignia of the Order of New Zealand.
It did not say if it was a knighthood, although New Zealand does have knighthoods.
I did not take much notice of the article at the time.
Maybe, Prime Minister Tony Abbott thought, if New Zealand can do it, so can Australia.
When is Prince Philip going to wear the insignia of the Order of Australia anyway?
It is most unlikely he will ever visit Australia again.
I would have thought there would be very few Australian functions in Britain, that he would attend, that would require decorations to be worn.
Anyway, the whole thing is just so anachronistic in the true sense of the word - "belonging to another time".
- MALCOLM SCOTT, Newstead.