The garden beds in the St Kilda Botanical Gardens are black earth coloured on this autumn morning after a night of wind and rain, the newly planted poppies are small and fragile looking as if newborn in the cloudy morning light. The grass around the lake is freshly mowed and vividly green, the summer brown entirely vanished. The gardens are in autumn renewal, as if breathing almost joyously after the summer heat and wind.
This is a very fine little gem of a piece, Michael. I love the gentle and empathetic tone from start to finish. That seemingly throw-away comment - appearing at the halfway mark - when you wonder if you'll wear the badge, makes a moving return when, in the final sentence of the piece, you remark that the RSL badge seller may well be mouthing the words "wear the badge."
The contrast between the badge-seller's path to service back in the 60s and your own volunteerism during the Arab-Israeli war of 67 provides a short meditation on the spirit of "doing the right thing." And, just as the badge-seller had his problems watching the pro-Viet Cong marches of the late 60s and early 70s, today's friends of Israel experience a similar alienation when pro-Palestinian marches (including many of clearly pro-Hamas sentiment) take place throughout the country on a regular basis.
Congrats on a prescient missive which strikes the right tone in handling an issue often marred by ideological belligerence.
As always beautifully written, and the parallels between those demonstrating for the end of the West and the annihilation of Israel are the progeny of the pro Vietcong from the 60s
Beautiful piece Michael. In 1967 I was in the second year of an economics degree and able to defer my call up until later in the war when a rugby shoulder injury and a specialist's ĺetter was enough to fail the medical. I opposed the war because because the domino theory rationale for US involvement was geopolitical nonsense. I opposed conscription because Australians had no right to to steal 2 years and so much more of the lives of young men just to demonstrate solidarity with a misguided ally when there was no threat whatsoever to our country. But I have the greatest respect and regard for the young men and women went willingly or otherwise to Vietnam and nothing but contempt for those who treated them so badly when they came home. Lest we forget.
Made me think… my long term friend Lucy, now in Sydney drove for Israel defence forces during the 6 Day War and said she was terrified the entire time, but the IDF in Gaza and soon to be joined by Australian nonJewish troops will have more complex, Vietnam War style reactions.
Just read David Shulman in the NYRB 9 May assessing the missed opportunities to avoid the terrifying Gaza outcome in a provocative essay: Israel: the Way Out.
Recently finished reading a book called 'The Women,' by Kristin Hannah about US nurses who served in Vietnam, and how, when they spoke of their service, they were told not to be ridiculous because, 'there were no women in Vietnam!' or, when they were actually acknowledged upon their return, it was to be derided, even spat upon for participating in that war. Your article brought it to mind. Clearly the women were all volunteers, a road less travelled, to be sure, and chosen at great personal cost. Just thought I'd put that out there on Erev ANZAC Day.
Your response just prompted me to look up Aussie female army nurses in Vietnam. Apparently there were 43 of them. There's another interesting, untold tale.
Unleashed from the demands of full time journalism and from whatever limitations that the institution I worked for had the power to impose on me. I don’t mean censorship. I mean having to fight to do the work I wanted to do. And sometimes losing that fight. I’m now free to write when I want and about whatever grabs me. On this substack.
I never thought I’d write as regularly as I have for The Australian in recent months. And though I am pleased to have done so and hope to continue to write for the paper, I am determined to keep writing these little pieces on Gawenda Unleashed. I like them.
This gentle and modest piece revealed to me the innermost, sacred and I would say the greatest imperative in the heart of a good man: the desire to sacrifice his life for the sake of his beloved; most radically in war, when even the rashest of young males would include this in perhaps his matrix of mixed motives. To be willing to plunge into the indescribable horrors, humiliation and chaos of combat, risking a fate worse than death, is the imperative buried deep in the male heart (his will, the "love" faculty of his soul). And how this willingness to lay down his life for his friends, is so derided, twisted and trashed by the prevailing narrative and ideology we all suffer. But wait .... witness the growing thousands of young people, defiantly seeking order, discipline, courage and the spirit of self-sacrifice, who get up in the dark to stand silently before the Cenataphs. Nobody sane celebrates war. But the spirit of service and sacrifice to protect one's country and its people is Divine. Michael, it is evident that your young heart is well and truly in its right place.
This is a very fine little gem of a piece, Michael. I love the gentle and empathetic tone from start to finish. That seemingly throw-away comment - appearing at the halfway mark - when you wonder if you'll wear the badge, makes a moving return when, in the final sentence of the piece, you remark that the RSL badge seller may well be mouthing the words "wear the badge."
The contrast between the badge-seller's path to service back in the 60s and your own volunteerism during the Arab-Israeli war of 67 provides a short meditation on the spirit of "doing the right thing." And, just as the badge-seller had his problems watching the pro-Viet Cong marches of the late 60s and early 70s, today's friends of Israel experience a similar alienation when pro-Palestinian marches (including many of clearly pro-Hamas sentiment) take place throughout the country on a regular basis.
Congrats on a prescient missive which strikes the right tone in handling an issue often marred by ideological belligerence.
Thank you Russell. It was frankly thrilling to read this from you.
As always beautifully written, and the parallels between those demonstrating for the end of the West and the annihilation of Israel are the progeny of the pro Vietcong from the 60s
That was so moving, as you, Rocky and the badge seller moved through history.
Beautiful piece Michael. In 1967 I was in the second year of an economics degree and able to defer my call up until later in the war when a rugby shoulder injury and a specialist's ĺetter was enough to fail the medical. I opposed the war because because the domino theory rationale for US involvement was geopolitical nonsense. I opposed conscription because Australians had no right to to steal 2 years and so much more of the lives of young men just to demonstrate solidarity with a misguided ally when there was no threat whatsoever to our country. But I have the greatest respect and regard for the young men and women went willingly or otherwise to Vietnam and nothing but contempt for those who treated them so badly when they came home. Lest we forget.
Made me think… my long term friend Lucy, now in Sydney drove for Israel defence forces during the 6 Day War and said she was terrified the entire time, but the IDF in Gaza and soon to be joined by Australian nonJewish troops will have more complex, Vietnam War style reactions.
Just read David Shulman in the NYRB 9 May assessing the missed opportunities to avoid the terrifying Gaza outcome in a provocative essay: Israel: the Way Out.
Recently finished reading a book called 'The Women,' by Kristin Hannah about US nurses who served in Vietnam, and how, when they spoke of their service, they were told not to be ridiculous because, 'there were no women in Vietnam!' or, when they were actually acknowledged upon their return, it was to be derided, even spat upon for participating in that war. Your article brought it to mind. Clearly the women were all volunteers, a road less travelled, to be sure, and chosen at great personal cost. Just thought I'd put that out there on Erev ANZAC Day.
That’s very interesting. Something I didn’t know though I’ve read a fair bit about the war. Says a lot that I knew nothing about these women.
Your response just prompted me to look up Aussie female army nurses in Vietnam. Apparently there were 43 of them. There's another interesting, untold tale.
You hit the spot again. Beautifully written and oh so poignant, paralleled with your own experience.
Thank you Karen. I am very pleased.
I have greatly enjoyed your articles in the Oz Michael. One question if I may. "Unleashed" from what?
Unleashed from the demands of full time journalism and from whatever limitations that the institution I worked for had the power to impose on me. I don’t mean censorship. I mean having to fight to do the work I wanted to do. And sometimes losing that fight. I’m now free to write when I want and about whatever grabs me. On this substack.
I never thought I’d write as regularly as I have for The Australian in recent months. And though I am pleased to have done so and hope to continue to write for the paper, I am determined to keep writing these little pieces on Gawenda Unleashed. I like them.
Good on you mate. I like the too.
This gentle and modest piece revealed to me the innermost, sacred and I would say the greatest imperative in the heart of a good man: the desire to sacrifice his life for the sake of his beloved; most radically in war, when even the rashest of young males would include this in perhaps his matrix of mixed motives. To be willing to plunge into the indescribable horrors, humiliation and chaos of combat, risking a fate worse than death, is the imperative buried deep in the male heart (his will, the "love" faculty of his soul). And how this willingness to lay down his life for his friends, is so derided, twisted and trashed by the prevailing narrative and ideology we all suffer. But wait .... witness the growing thousands of young people, defiantly seeking order, discipline, courage and the spirit of self-sacrifice, who get up in the dark to stand silently before the Cenataphs. Nobody sane celebrates war. But the spirit of service and sacrifice to protect one's country and its people is Divine. Michael, it is evident that your young heart is well and truly in its right place.
Shows beautifully how you can love two great countries simultaneously.
Love this response Laurence.
This is just bloody brilliant. That is all.
Thank you Julie. Means a lot to me coming from you.