Anzac Day 2008

Early last Friday morning I visited this memorial. I've come across this on bushwalks but thought it appropriate to visit it on Anzac Day. It is such a peaceful place. Worth a visit. Description:Hewn from surrounding bush sandstone by 5756 Pte. W. T. Shirley as a memorial to fallen A.I.F. comrades, the Sphinx is approximately 1/8th the size of the Great Sphinx, located on Egypt’s Giza Plateau.
Pte. William Shirley was a patient of the Lady Davidson Convalescent Hospital for returned World War One Australian veterans. He sailed to war in January 1916 and served with the 13th Btn A.I.F. (the “Two Blues” – as a result of the Battalion’s two tone blue colour patch). Like many of his comrades at Lady Davidson he suffered from gas inflicted during the fierce battles on the Western Front - with the added complications of a tuberculosis infection.
Between 1926- 1928, an ailing William Shirley laboured at creating his personal memorial to his fallen A.I.F comrades. The Sphinx took some one and a half years to complete. He died in 1929, leaving an unusual legacy in stone to be contemplated by the many bushwalkers who enjoy the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Inscription:"To my glorious comrades of the A.I.Fby the late W. ShirleyNo 5756 Pte. 13th BattalionDied 27th August 1928"

Teamwork

According to the Macquarie Dictionary teamwork means the work of a team with reference to coordination of effort and to collective efficiency.

Here is a team of window cleaners. Each person here has a certain contribution to the team. Some might think the number excessive, however each team member knows his assigned place and works accordingly. Sure one person could do it all, but it would be tiring and time consuming and very lonely. Imagine having to change ladders to suit the height of the windows. A lot of time wasted. With a TEAM the job gets completed more efficiently and quickly.

Teaching old dogs new tricks

What a process. Learning this is like learning a second language, or feeling your way around in a blackout. All these unfamiliar terms sometimes cause confusion. Not a great or promising start.....After taking a long time to think of what I thought was a 'unique' name I managed to mess it up completely. Initial panic and frustration over, I was able to negotiate my way around the dashboard to find a way to change it to what I wanted. Much happier now, hopefully I will do better as the course progresses. Hope this old dog can learn some new tricks.