Words to live by

Written by Paul Kounnas | Monday, 10 December 2007

As we approach the end of the year and embark on a new one, this is the time when many of us pause to reflect on the past year and look forward with hope for the year ahead.

As you prepare for 2008, here are some thoughts and words of wisdom to live by:

• It’s always ok to begin again; “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realise how close they were to success when they gave up.”
• Don’t think you know it all; “The quality of your life will be determined by the books you ...

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  read and the friends you keep.” – “When you do your best, you feel your best.”

• You’re going to have some bad days; “Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.” – “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.”
• Have courage; “Have the courage to follow your dreams and more importantly, the moral courage to do what you think is right. Doing the right thing lifts your self esteem.”
• Remember the people who are important to you; “There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.” – “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle."
• Don’t forget to have fun; “Laughter is the essence of happiness. If you can’t find something funny in almost every situation, you are not going to be a very happy person.”
• Gratitude; “An attitude of gratitude flavours everything you do. Learning to be thankful is the golden thread woven through every truly successful life.”
• Stay healthy; “There is ample evidence that generosity helps your health and that cynicism, hostility and negativity leads to all sorts of diseases. Your mental health – your attitude – plays a big role in your physical health.” – “Feeling is what you get for thinking the way you do.”
• Today is the first day of the rest of your life; “Take each day in 2008 and see that they are free from old memories of bitterness, hate or pettiness. After all they are fresh and clean and it’s up to you how you choose to live them.”

Good neighbours & fences

Written by Paul Kounnas | Monday, 25 June 2007

Fencing and overhanging plants are just some of the issues that can lead to disputes between neighbours. The laws relating to fences cover such things as acceptable heights, materials and sharing of costs. These laws are outlined in The Fences Act 1968 (Victoria), which regulates the building of fences in Victoria.

Generally fences must be built along the boundary and in consultation with neighbours. In most cases the cost of the fence is split equally. However, if one neighbour wants a bigger or more expensive fence then the split of costs can vary and it’s up to the two parties to reach an ...

agreement.

The common solution in this case is for the neighbour who didn’t want the more expensive fence to pay half the cost of a normal fence and the neighbour wanting the more expensive fence pays the difference.

It is always best to discuss the fence with your neighbours but if you can’t, then provide your neighbour with a written notice in accordance with the Fences Act.

There are other laws which may apply to fences, such as Building Regulations 1994, as well as the Local Planning Scheme. Prior to building a new fence it would be wise to check with the local council to see what planning and building permits you may require.

Plants and trees that hang over the fence to the neighbour’s side can also cause disputes. To avoid con? ict it is a good idea to keep your plants on your side of the fence. If they overhang the neighbours are within their rights to cut them back. Although it may seem rude, they are also within their rights to throw the cuttings back over the fence.

To avoid resentment it is advisable to talk to your neighbours before you take to the overhanging plants with a chain saw.

Take a sensible approach with your neighbours and try to maintain goodwill because once this is gone it can become very dif? cult and costly to resolve disputes.

Australian heroes

Written by Paul Kounnas | Monday, 23 April 2007

One of Australia’s most famous military heroes is Simpson and his donkey. However, Australia’s greatest Anzac was the less known General Sir John Monash. He was Australia’s greatest military commander.

When the British commanders of the First World War failed to have a decisive win over the Germans, Monash used innovative techniques and technology combined with his great planning ability to successfully win a series of battles which led to the end of World War 1.

General Monash never got the recognition or decoration he deserved back then, almost 100 years ago, because he was a part-time colonial soldier ...

in an imperial British army and came from a German-Jewish background at a time when racism and prejudice were rife.

According to many experts he was the most resourceful General in the whole of the British Army. The Germans attribute their defeat in the First World War to his meticulous planning and resourcefulness.

Now back to our most famous hero, Jack Simpson Kirkpatrick, born in 1892 on the north coast of england. He deserted ship in Australia when he heard of the war with Germany and enlisted as John Simpson. He was accepted and chosen as a field ambulance stretch bearer.

On the 25th April 1915 he, along with the rest of the Anzacs landed on the wrong beach, now known as Anzac Cove.

During the morning hours of April 26th Jack was carrying casualties over his shoulder when he spotted the donkey. From then on he became part of the scene at Gallipoli, walking along next to his donkey, whistling as he carried back the wounded. He was seemingly completely fatalistic and scornful of the extreme danger. Simpson knew no fear and moved courageously amid shrapnel and rifle fires carrying out his task.

On the 19th May 1915 he was shot by machine gun fire. In this short time he had rescued over 300 young men in treacherous terrain and under constant attack from artillery, field guns and sniper fire.

The words of war correspondent, Charles Bean, sums it up well; “Anzac stood and still stands for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship and endurance that will never admit defeat.”