Monash could become first metro council to ban smoking in outdoor dining areas

Posted to Herald Sun (Waverley Leader) 1/5/2014 on 6/5/2014 2:00 AM
Commenting on "Monash could become first metro council to ban smoking in outdoor dining areas"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/monash-could-become-first-metro-council-to-ban-smoking-in-outdoor-dining-areas/story-fngnvlxu-1226902189470

So you think it is ok to dine outside cafe after smoking ban? Think again.

Many of the eating places, including those at Eaton Mall are close to roads for motor vehicles. The exhaust for these vehicles contains microscopic dangerous chemical particles harmful to the body. In addition to these is the filth and dust present in the air stirred up by the movement of vehicles and their frequent braking.

Many people suffer from various forms of illnesses without any known cause. They may be eating the so called healthy food, but may not be breathing in "healthy" air. I do not enjoy Alfresco dining as long as the surrounding is not enclosed. In fact, I choose not to dine at cafes or restaurants that leave their doors and external glass panel walls wide open.

Smoking ban will NOT kill businesses, but help prevent people from early death.

Fed up over Monash Uni campus crawl

Posted to Monash Weekly (19/3/2012) on 23/3/2012 at 2:44 PM (Not published by Newspaper)
Commenting on "Fed up over Monash Uni campus crawl"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/article.aspx?id=2491899

Let' see, public transport services will drop in patronage, no new vehicles required, university campus size will shrink, lectures can be recorded and delivered repeatedly rendering lecturers redundant, no employment in university for future graduates, etc.

The futurist gurus predicted in the 60's have finally realised that with advancement in computer technology we would have more leisure time - playing on iPad, doing nothing constructive.

It's like online shopping, the down side is loss of employment. Unfortunately service industry will prosper if other industries can bring home the bacon.

MP Anna Burke wants views on gay marriage

Posted to Letters to Editor, Monash Weekly on 29/11/2011 at 10:18 PM
Commenting on "MP Anna Burke wants views on gay marriage"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/mp-anna-burke-wantsviews-on-gay-marriage/2372077.aspx

Same sex marriage contradicts what modern human race believes in - back to nature and grows things organic! We don't need GM or laboratory grown living things. Why are human race moving forward in the wrong direction!

House prices spiral upwards

Posted to Monash Weekly (18/7/2011) on 18/7/2011 at 11:15 PM
Commenting on "House prices spiral upwards"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/business/house-prices-spiral-upwards/2229881.aspx

The title of the report should be "House prices spiralled upwards". Readers should be made aware that changes in government policies on investment by overseas investors coupled with numerous interest rate increases during the second half of 2010 retarded the property price growth, and in fact reversed its direction in recent months. It must also be noted that increase in median price signals the high-end market properties are up for sale, probably from those who once can afford more luxurious life-style but now have to join the common people in experiencing mortgage stress. Buyers beware!

China's economy about to overtake US

Posted to Monash Weekly (25/4/2011) on 26/4/2011 at 1:35 PM (Not published)
Resubmited Part 2 of 3 on 15/10/2011 9:23 PM
Commenting on “China's economy about to overtake US”
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/world/world/general/chinas-economy-about-to-overtake-us/2143313.aspx

Good on China. This is a great example for many countries to follow! Unfortunately, far too many countries adopt the NATO’s motto - Talk Only No Action!

With a population of 1.3 billion people to support and yet can win the economic race is definitely a modern day fairy tale. Australia has only 23 million people, but keeps whinging about the size of the population – this is just laughable!

While Australia still needs to resolve the NBN rollout, China has already built the highest rail track in the world linking Beijing to Tibet, the fastest bullet train, a modern international airport bigger than London’s Heathrow Airport, thousands of wind turbines, booming automotive industry building electric cars, rockets to send satellites and astronauts to outer space, and the most awesome one is that China is the factory of the world now!

End Part 1 of 3


Is there anything China cannot excel in? China is progressing at lightning speed – thanks to technology transfer, it is rather unstoppable. What is more concerning is that China will soon be the office of the world. With the unprecedented speed of technological advancement, a modern office is no longer an enclosed space with fixed locality - staff can be situated in other parts of the world, and documents filed and backed up in computer servers remote from the source.

Can you imagine the benefit of outsourcing office services to overseas companies? Just compare that with buying goods online from other countries – there is no GST if the value is under $1,000. Outsourcing office work saves on payroll tax, compulsory superannuation guaranteed contribution, office expenses, union interference, etc. What is going to happen to employment?

End Part 2 of 3


2009-2010 $19.1 billion international education industry has become the thing of the past. Australian government move to change the visa and permanent residency policies have led to a drastic decline in international students coming to study in Australia, causing a financial blackhole in our economy. This subject has not been raised openly and treated urgently by both political parties.

With economy of scale and determination, China can train more people in China per week than probably all the Australian learners / trainees trained in one year. It is just a matter of a decade or so, professional trainers in China will lose their accent, and international students from all over the world will be pursuing their qualifications in China. After being an educator / trainer in the industry for about 15 years, I can only say that future learners will probably get higher quality training in China than Australia, and at fraction of the cost.

After all that being said and written, are there no negatives about China especially the way she deals with human rights and social justice? I can only say it is a matter of opinion, and this is not relevant to the subject in discussion.

End Part 3 of 3

Mandarin-speaking parents get word

Posted to Monash Weekly (11/4/2011) on 11/4/2011 at 1:00 PM
Commenting on “Mandarin-speaking parents get word”
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/article.aspx?id=2129975

What about the English speaking parents? Many of them need more than 10 hours of parenting lessons.

Language skill is neither the problem nor the solution. Parents don't spend enough time with the children, and their respective life styles are so different, and they don't want to know each other's activities.

The bondage is not there, whether at dinner time, or weekend BBQ. The parents make excuses that they don't know their children's school work,- who knows, unless they take some interest to learn about the subject.

Start "connecting" with the children NOW, before they leave you for good!

Traders hurt

Posted to Greater Dandenong Weekly (23/8/2010) on 27/8/2010 at 11:23pm

Commenting on “Traders hurt”

http://www.greaterdandenongweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/traders-hurt/1920994.aspx?storypage=2

Dandenong CBD needs more than just revitalisation of the streetscape; it also needs revitalisation of the shops and display windows, and mix of businesses.

Although the ultimate outcome is a plus for the traders concerned, but initial outlay could burn a big hole in their cash registers. There is a distinct disadvantage about the main road, alias National Highway 1 - it is too wide. It does not provide a right ambience for inviting shopping experience. In addition, all the shops in the CBD are spread over a very big area, and on a rainy or windy day, shoppers are likely to stay in the warm and cosy Dandenong Plaza rather than subjecting themselves to the terror of the nature.

Dandenong was once the hub of many big factories, and centre of employment. The wind of fortune has changed. Is the demographics of Dandenong ready for upmarket shopping yet? It is great to be visionary, and hopefully the project pays dividend; otherwise, the ratepayers' and taxpayers' money will be spent on creating a white elephant.

Casey calls for citywide pokies cap

Posted to Casey Weekly (24/8/2010) on 27/8/2010 at 11:39 PM

Commenting on “Casey calls for citywide pokies cap”

http://www.caseyweeklyberwick.com.au/news/local/sport/football-australian-rules/casey-calls-for-citywide-pokies-cap/1921835.aspx

Like money, improper use of gaming machines is root of all evils. Not only does it create financial hardship to many leading to the breakdown of family fabric, but also damages the health such as RSI, back problems, poor blood circulation, anxiety, sleep deprivation, etc. All gaming machines should be equipped with smart card reading device, and players can only play on the machine using a smart card, which records the duration of play, and value limit of play. With such constraints, they are compelled to take a break, and have losses capped.

Monash cafe ban goes up in smoke

Posted to Monash Weekly (28/2/2011) on 3/3/2011 at 11:42 AM

Commenting on “Monash cafe ban goes up in smoke”

http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/monash-cafe-ban-goes-up-in-smoke/2088784.aspx

It is load of nonsense for Cr Stephen Dimopoulos to say a Monash-specific ban would be hard on traders and thinks that the cost is too great to implement it.

This very negative and short-sighted view is not dissimilar to Cr Paul Klisaris who voted against the legislation he had designed feeling that he would be supporting something that only filled the glass half-way.

There will always be people who enjoy lighting up a cigarette inside or outside eating places, but there are a lot more who don’t. By promoting City of Monash as a complete smoke-free zone for café, we can attract non-smokers coming to help improve the food business in the City.

Unfortunately I disagree with Cr Geoff Lake trying to wash his hands clean by saying that “al fresco dining was something for the state government to tackle.” City of Monash can introduce by-laws to overcome this problem. What’s wrong being the first City to implement such policy?

Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival 'pirates' irk resident

Posted to Monash Weekly (21/2/2011) on 23/2/2011 at 2:25 AM
Commenting on "Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival 'pirates' irk resident"

http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/chinese-new-year-and-lantern-festival-pirates-irk-resident/2082047.aspx

The matter was reported to the police on duty, and I did express my concern, pointing out this would be the best time to catch these traders red-handed. My complaint was noted, but unlikely investigated.

I later also reported about the imitation handbags being sold just next to the police caravan to another police, but she just casually told me that she knew about it.

After I left the festival, I went to the Glen Waverley police station, and reported the same to a senior constable. I was informed that this was a Federal Police matter, but he would contact the police on duty to find out more. I suggested that checking the list of stall holders would enable the police to identify law-breakers. I was also told that traders were allowed to sell imitation handbags, so long if the customers were not charged the price of genuine ones, and they were aware of what they were purchasing.

Genuine DVDs are never sold in plastic sleeves at bargain basement price. Cover case pictures and bar-codes are sharp and not reproduced from scanned images.

Decline Frontrunner Greg Male coy on Monash mayoral prospects

Posted to Monash Weekly (13/12/2010) on 15/12/2010 at 10:45 AM

Commenting on “Decline Frontrunner Greg Male coy on Monash mayoral prospects”

http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/frontrunner-greg-male-coy-on-monash-mayoral-prospects/2023979.aspx

I hardly hear about the councillors - they don't appear in or write to the local papers, talk to the traders, or meet the residents.

What do they actually do for the City of Monash, except asking more and more for their pockets? Do they know about the city budgets and the wellbeing of their wards?

Heat on candidates to tackle some big issues

Posted to Monash Weekly (23/11/2010) on 25/11/2010 at 9:41 PM
Commenting on “Heat on candidates to tackle some big issues"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/heat-on-candidates-to-tackle-some-big-issues/1684907.aspx

Whether one is a believer or sceptic, all the discussion about global warming, climate change, ETS are nothing more than just talk fests, trying to prevent or slow down further deterioration of the climatic conditions.

In concurrence to all these debates and discussions, researches on global cooling should be funded to help reverse the trend. We must think outside the square, and release the trapped warm air to higher layers of the atmosphere, or improve air exchanges. Greedy opportunists and hoaxers on climate change are no different from the Y2K vultures, making millions and billions on human fallacy and frailty. Why pay other countries to grow trees, to green the earth, while we, the hypocrites keep polluting the environment? It is too much to ask the candidates to tackle big issues; the only big issue they all have in common is to the win the election by saying things that the voters like to hear. Unfortunately, they have no concept of looking at "big pictures". By the way, ETS may be aptly represents "Environmental Trickery Scam"!

Labor pitch got lost, says Crean

Posted to Monash Weekly (27/8/2010) on 27/8/2010 at 3:57 AM

Commenting on “Labor pitch got lost, says Crean”

http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/labor-pitch-got-lost-says-crean/1920984.aspx?storypage=2

There are many arm-chair candidates in every election. Most voters have no idea who are standing for the seats. The candidates cannot be bothered or too lazy door-knocking to introduce themselves, despite their being preselected by their respective political parties months ago.

Unlike Wyatt Roy, the 20 year old, youngest MP of Longman, many candidates do not make any genuine effort to change voter's voting pattern or intention, but to rely on preferences stated on the "how to vote" card.

Who were Michael Kabos of Bruce and John Nguyen of Chisholm? They hardly made a dent in the last count to displace the Labor candidates.

Unfortunately, in Election 2010 a vote for Green was a vote for Labor, and a vote for the Family First was a vote for the Liberal. So in future, unless you really believe in the candidate's chance of success, or he / she has proven having walked the distance, you might as well cut off the middle-person and cast a vote to the candidate from one of the major parties.

Pay volunteers: Charity chief

Posted to Monash Weekly (2/8/2010) on 6/8/2010 at 1:13am
Commenting on “Pay volunteers: Charity chief”
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/pay-volunteers-charity-chief/1901590.aspx

It is absolutely nonsensical to pay volunteers. The most a volunteer should be reimbursed with would be the transportation / travelling expense.

As quoted in Wikipedia, volunteering is "the practice of people working on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for their time and services".

Some may do it on a casual or serve on an as-needed basis, but many commit to this as an altruistic activity. The commitment of many volunteers is unassuming, but unfortunately, many organisations fail to value the contribution of the volunteers.

I have been a volunteer attached to MonashLink Health Services since 1996. I am a Community Visitor, and enjoy my role tremendously. Each week when I get out of the front entrance, after visiting the residents at Wahroonga Aged Care Home, I feel like on top of the world, because I have spent the most previous thing in my life – time, to help improve the quality of life of some people who can do with a little bit more!

Why not offer some of your valuable time to make other people's life more meaningful and worthwhile? Don't hesitate, do it now!

Pauline’s paradise lost needs the right touch

Posted to Sun City News (16/2/2010) on 16/2/2010 at 10:26am

Commenting on “Pauline’s paradise lost needs the right touch”

http://www.suncitynews.com.au/news/national/national/general/paulines-paradise-lost-needs-the-right-touch/1751809.aspx

Won't it be nice if Pauline Hanson and her devotees are shipped in a "boat" to England? Over two centuries ago, the snakeheads in England sent a load of "human cargo" to Australia, and it is time Australia returns England the principal plus interest. I wonder which British Parliamentarian will make a statement such as "England will be swamped by Aussies"!

Heat on candidates to tackle some big issues

Posted to Monash Weekly on 25/11/2009 at 10:41 PM

Commenting on “Heat on candidates to tackle some big issues”

http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/heat-on-candidates-to-tackle-some-big-issues/1684907.aspx

Whether one is a believer or sceptic, all the discussion about global warming, climate change, ETS are nothing more than just talk fests, trying to prevent or slow down further deterioration of the climatic conditions. In concurrence to all these debates and discussions, researches on global cooling should be funded to help reverse the trend. We must think outside the square, and release the trapped warm air to higher layers of the atmosphere, or improve air exchanges. Greedy opportunists and hoaxers on climate change are no different from the Y2K vultures, making millions and billions on human fallacy and frailty. Why pay other countries to grow trees, to green the earth, while we, the hypocrites keep polluting the environment? It is too much to ask the candidates to tackle big issues; the only big issue they all have in common is to the win the election by saying things that the voters like to hear. Unfortunately, they have no concept of looking at "big pictures". By the way, ETS may be aptly represents "Environmental Trickery Scam"!

Interview with candidates standing for by-election for Higgins, electorate of former Treasurer Peter Costello

Mayor hits out on developers bypass Council

Posted to Monash Weekly on 25/11/2009 at 10:09 PM

Commenting on “Mayor hits out on developers bypass Council”

http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/mayor-hits-out-as-developers-bypass-council/1684902.aspx

If the Council is powerless to do anything about this, it is either the local planning law or Council is irrelevant. In the present shape and form, VCAT has too much on its plates, and in many cases, its decisions are generally also irrelevant, and work against the interest of the community. VCAT has become a battlefield for the rich and powerful, and trying to win a case that costs substantial sum is a drain to the Council budget, and hence leads to rate increase in subsequent years. Planning laws need to be changed, Council be given more power to oversee proper compliance. VCAT has become irrelevant, too!

VCAT stands for Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal which Deals with disputes about consumer matters, credit, discrimination, domestic building, guardianship/administration, residential/retail tenancies, etc.

Council to fund new PCs for libraries

Posted to Monash Weekly on 23/5/2009 at 11:12 PM

Commenting on “Council to fund new PCs for libraries”

http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/council-to-fund-new-pcs-for-libraries/1516012.aspx

The missing information about the library usage in the report is that many students use the computers for fighting/shooting games after school hours. At weekend, some local and overseas students use the online chat incorporating webcam facilities as video phone, chatting with friends. Both usages require large amount Internet resource, and can slow down the overall performance of the internet service. It is debatable whether the former usage can be classified as educational, but the latter should not be permitted as it is analogous to using the phone in the library by library goers – a service which is not available either for free or chargeable.

Vandals target Mulgrave buildings

Posted to Monash Weekly on 12/5/2009 at 12:57 AM

Commenting on “Vandals target Mulgrave buildings”

http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/vandals-target-mulgrave-buildings/1509537.aspx

Zero tolerance is the go. Our law and order system should be given more power in order to stamp out the increasing violence, vandalism, hooliganism, social disturbance, theft and burglary. New York did it, and why can't we?

Call to remove 'for sale' signage

Posted to Monash Weekly on 4/5/2009 at 4:02 PM

Commenting on “Call to remove 'for sale' signage”

http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/call-to-remove-for-sale-signage/1503432.aspx

The content of the sign erected at Kinnoull Grove by Kep Development is deceptive and misleading. It is deceptive and misleading because there was no available land for sale yet; further being misleading because no one has purchased any block, and therefore it cannot be last opportunity. This is in breach of Fair Trading Act and Consumer Act. Kep Development's arrogance should be punished by the appropriate authorities in addition to Monash Council.