Post Election Thanks (from Darren Churchill, ACT Democrats)

justbands said :

You’ve got to feel for the Dems. Ros Dundas was a great MLA IMO.

Yeah, she had potential and talent. Even she admitted she was too young for the job and didn’t have the experience needed. Had she waited a bit, who knows?

I did at that, and you filled in for Dave on the very occasional evening as I recall.

A top bloke, Dave. His classes you could recite the lyrics to, but predictability is not a bad thing when you’re going hammer and tongs: “Here we go, on your toes, and SPRRRRIIIINNNNNTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!”

Will give you a yodel but probably next week. Affairs of state and the state of affairs and such-like.

Sigh. I was 78kgs in early 2004…

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the comments.

Jakez – I don’t think we are an ideological party. We just speak up on important issues, work for good legislative outcomes and work for a better, fairer world. wE KEEP ON WORKING FOR THOSE THINGS. What part of the Democrats do you mourn the loss of (it would be interesting to see if we share the same views)? Obviously, we don’t on shopping centres. 😉

iCanberran – well, we got some word out. Obviously not enough.

justbands – I agree, Roslyn was a great MLA!

Overheard – for future reference http://www.act.democrats.org.au Okay, so you came to my lunchtime Cardio-Box classes, eh? And You know Dave? Yes, Dave worked at a number of locations before he got his own place in Belconnen. He’s in Sydney now. A good mate. We still keep in touch. Give me a call or email: darren.churchil@act.democrats.org.au sometime and I might be able to put a face to a name.
ha ha ha, yes the old lack of partner dilemma! LOL

Darren
0412 196 473

* partner wasn’t turning up *

Er, I could tell an interesting tale about the original words, but only in the cone of silence, and only if someone was buying a few pints!

Darren Churchill said :

Hi everyone, Overheard – Sorry mate, what is ABN? No, I have never been a tutor at UC. I was a student there in 1986 (or CCAE as it was then).
I’m a resgistered teacher (unusual for a Dem, I know – LOL). My work history is briefly outlined on the ACT Dems website.

Hey Darren. Firstly, it was hard work doing web searches on this one. I’m here to say I got a lot of dross, plus many Riot Act hits before I got the stuff I was looking for.

Boxfit instructor!!! Vale the PCYC at Turner. Back when I was super fit (circa 2003-2005) I was a regular there on Wednesdays and Friday evenings plus many a lunchtime. I loved those classes. Gyms are pretty much anathema to me now, but there was always something wonderfully grungy and ‘come as you are’ about the PCYC. And pairing up with strangers when your partner wasn’t turning was always a great way to get to almost meet new people.

Best work out you’ll get standing up, er, fully-clothed.

A year or so ago I was traipsing across Lyneham Oval towards the Monaro Folk Society club night at the Old Canberra Inn and I came across Dave the Little Italian (or ‘Yoda’ as I lovingly called him, a Sensai with a walking stick) leading the old class out in the open. It was surreal. Like a blast from the past in some place you didn’t expect, a bit dream-like. But I never went back and joined in. Music had stolen my soul!

ABN = All Bar Nun

You’ve got to feel for the Dems. Ros Dundas was a great MLA IMO.

190 votes, wow. I didn’t even know the Democrats still existed, great job getting the word out.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/elections/act/2008/guide/ginn.htm

Darren, I won’t be joining the Australian Democrats as admiration should not be confused with ideological support.

Mostly, I forgot you were even there (particularly not being in my electorate) but I do mourn the loss of the Democrats (at least part of the Party anyway).

For the record, I love the American monstrosity known as the Canberra Centre and will fight to see its propagation across the land. 😉

Hi everyone,

Sepi – Yes, that is true. But they like you to number at least as many boxes as there are members to be elected. This enables the big parties to say: “Just number 1 to 5 for Lib/Lab.”

Sammy – The lack of a party column was a major disadvantage. Have a look at Ungrouped candidates (even those with a party name beside them) from previous elections if you don’t believe me. We did get some good media coverage (with a couple of exceptions). But, losing registered status was problematic in a number of ways. We will not have that problem next time.

Overheard – Sorry mate, what is ABN? No, I have never been a tutor at UC. I was a student there in 1986 (or CCAE as it was then).
I’m a resgistered teacher (unusual for a Dem, I know – LOL). My work history is briefly outlined on the ACT Dems website.

All of you – if you admire me for having a go. And Greg too, for that matter. Then join the Australian Democrats and get involved. As Janine Haines once said, “You can change the world!” So, “Make a difference….join the Australian Democrats!” And together, let’s “Keep the bastards honest!”

Darren
0412 196 473

Good on you for having a crack, Darren. As someone famous once said, if you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything. At least you nailed your colours to the mast and put yourself out there. It’s something I’d never do (seek elected office) but I’m glad that people are willing to do so and to suffer the slings and arrows….

I think that’s enough literary references for one comment.

Darren, if you’re still lurking, I can’t even remember if I had a chat to you at ABN or not but are, or have you at any time been, a tutor at UC? Unless my adled memory banks totally fail me, I might have been in a comms tute group of yours somewhere along the line.

This, of course, is where you declare Nathan Rees-style that you’ve been a garbologist all your career!

Overheard, UC Class of 2000, BA (Comms, Organisational Communication)