Speaking of leaks...My Plan for Tonight got snapped!

I think most people in the country, whilst not driven to take to the streets, were mildly annoyed that the All Black game plan found its way onto the front pages of our media. Lets face it no real harm done (and aren't moves 4 & 5 crackers from set pieces!) but not exactly cricket really!

Now its happened to me....here I had a full day planned, got it down on paper and now here it is (see pic 2. You can click on it to see it enlarged)! Like most Southern blokes I'm looking forward to the game tonight. It has been a long time since I have really been into the tests...there has been no real fizz. Perhaps it is the gloom on the news media in the last few months or that we have all had enough of the Winter and last week we saw Spring weather emerging? But there is a bit of energy starting to appear around the place! Maybe the Rugby World Cup will pull the country together in a positive way building on the All Whites triumph (I know three draws will be hard to beat.....not!.....and look at the outcry of "National Love").

Well all that aside lets thump these Aussies tonight and not get ahead of ourselves as they are always tough competition! Join me on the couch tonight after a good day doing stuff!

Come out Swinging Mr Hubbard- You Will Clear Your Name!

There is the old saying that the best form of defence is attack. I was stoked to hear Alan Hubbard come out with a bit of fighting talk in the media the other day and I know many observers thought, good on him. The fear was that given his age and health this stress might really affect him badly.

Like so many from the South Canterbury area, Mr Hubbard has been someone who has helped me (this photo was taken with him in August of 2009) and has been a source of advice in so many ways. He was my Grandfathers farm accountant and my mothers and his association with my family spans over 45 years. He is such a personable man and a true gentleman. Anyone who knows him understands that his word is good and he is totally trustworthy, hence the outrage from the local community that he has been so supportive of.

I know first hand how these sorts of government inquiries work. The faceless “investigators” pulling incredible fees will be beavering away on behalf of the Minister who has the whole thing at “arms length” yet will be fully briefed to ensure there is no political fallout. It is simply a “process” they all chime! Well it is a process that as it rolls through really takes a personal toll on the person in the spotlights reputation. It trashes their daily life as the “process” takes place with no real visibility or brief and certainly no end date which means those involved have no way to plan their future, personally or otherwise.

When I was working for the Chief of Army as spokesperson I was accused of being involved with the so-called “blackmailing”(link here or here) of a Member of Parliament. Not a prominent MP at all, rather a List MP who created headlines on military matters and appointed himself the authority on all things to do with Defence. It was at a time when the Army was in the media because of its desire to purchase the LAV vehicle so it was very easy for a minority party to get media coverage.  Using parliamentary privilege my name was used wrongly on several occasions.

The inquiries were ongoing and based on hearsay and the result totally exonerated me for any wrongdoing, because I had done nothing wrong. They were disruptive and stressful however but by pushing for the correct forum I was able to ensure that witnesses could be summonsed, I had evidence about me given under oath and in my presence and I also had the opportunity to ask questions of these people as they spluttered their way through their statements then changed them later, some of the major players on several occasions! I paid for the best legal advice myself and this helped me understand the process I was involved in which of course was very different to that faced by Mr Hubbard, but a legal process non the less.

I have no doubt the SFO will find some issue with Mr Hubbard’s processes because something will have to come out of such a public and potentially “politically damaging” situation in heartland NZ. South Canterbury is after all a National party stronghold. Whether any formal charges could be or would be laid would be carefully deliberated given the support for Mr Hubbard and hard to imagine ever happening. Those who know Mr Hubbard know he could never knowingly misappropriate any funds. If anything his manual system of accounting for things may mean it is slower and perhaps more cumbersome than those younger “forensic accountants” working for the SFO can handle but it seems to have been accurate over the years. The fact no investor or group of investors have come forward with grievances is reasonably telling I would have thought.

I encourage Mr Hubbard to stand up for what he knows is right and to fight to clear his name. Unless he does this for himself the outcome of the SFO inquiry will never be very clear. One thing is for sure, when he spoke on TV last week it was obvious he has the resolution to clear his name and he has still retained his sense of humour, both excellent traits. It seems to have made him stronger! My grandmother always said "be strong and of good courage".

As those who know him understand, his biggest stress (as he voiced) is ensuring those who invested with him are looked after. This is ironic given the fact that the basis of the investigation is to protect investors.

Southern Blast

If you enjoyed this Blog you may enjoy others I have written about South Canterbury:

• Alan Hubbard: Legends Don't Deserve This Bollocks!
• R.I.P. Johnny Sleigh; Waimate and Southern Man
• South Canterbury ANZAC: The Ted D'Auvergne (Bottle of beer) Story
• The Fairlie Show: Very unPC!
• Bush Bashing and Finding the Canterbury Lads: Galipolli 2000
• Esk Valley South Canterbury: Who the Hell is Private David Nelson Wright?

Catching up with Mates!

It is always the simple things in life that seem to be the most enjoyable. I mean like just hanging with some good friends and doing some stuff. I turned 41 today (can't believe it, still feel 21!) so yesterday a group of us did a bit of clay bird shooting. Most of us had not been to Burnham for a while so it was good to see the place (hasn't changed much) and to put a few rounds down range with some simple clay bird targets. Good fun and a lot of laughter and nonsense being talked.

I think as you get a bit older you really understand the true value of close friends who know you well. One thing we all have in common are shared experiences in the Army, we know each others good and bad points and we just enjoy each others company. Despite the fact we all do different things now we stay in touch and when we get together things pretty much just pick up where they left off. That is gold!

When you throw a BBQ, some beers, a little whiskey and a good test match into the mix as well there is going to be some animated behaviour, lively conversation and inevitably someone ends up in the dog box!

But it was a good night out and no one was injured or arrested and we left Burnham a better place than we found it.

School Holidays: How to Survive a Week with the Scone Grabbers Without Brain Damage!

It is school holidays again (when isn't it?) and it seems to me that there must be a small army of parents out there who, like myself have put their sanity on the line in order to look after a couple of midgets!

In this day and age of entertainment and politically correct ways it is of course paramount that our children are kept safe, watched every minute of the day and not left "unentertained". Well that seems to me to be the perception anyway! Why do kids feel that parents have an obligation, a duty almost, to keep them entertained 24/7?

So sitting here in the living room looking adoringly at my 9 year old daughter and her friend (we have a contra deal with friends: I look after them this week and next week the favour will be returned) I feel it is only right that I offer a few tips to those other hard working parents out there who are looking after the "scone grabbers"!

I have survived day one reasonably unscathed! Of course there has been a trip to a work meeting (could not move it!), time at the Riccarton shopping mall (ground zero) and  a grocery shop in order to have the right food (bribes on hand) to handle any situation. There has been several delegations sent over to try and negotiate further overnight stays, visits to the dairy (lolly shop) and the inevitable "we are bored" and "but why?" to the various answers to such questions. It really is a mine field for the under prepared! So here are a few tips on how to prevent brain damage after a week with the kids;

• Have a plan: Despite the military adage "no plan survives H-Hr (the start point), it is definitely an advantage to spend time in planning. Menu, activities and options should the weather really pack in should be thought through. Already my plan has paid dividends as I counter the constant barrage of requests, questions, complaints, negotiations etc. "Time spent in planning is seldom wasted" so take the time!
• Never negotiate with child terrorists. All children are programmed to moan, whinge and loudly declare "they are bored" as if it is some terrible ailment or condition. My reply to this is simple "Only boring people get bored so if you have to be bored do it quietly in your room". Funnily enough they don't stay in there very long!
• An Army marches on its stomach! A secret to keeping the troops happy is to keep the food up to them. A few treats, fruit, sandwiches (the old Molenberg doorstop is highly recommended!) and lots of water. It all helps.
• Keep them active. Plan a few things that you are all involved in. Having a movie promised is always a good focus, some games and some trips out and about. The two girls here today have had a real ball with their toys, dolls, dress ups etc. Not that they would admit to it....hell no! There has been a lot of laughter and talking and it is amazing to hear their imaginations playing out everyday things they pick up on.
• Keep it Simple. I decided (as part of the plan) to minimise T.V. and computer use this week. It is good for them to just have time playing and interacting. Our lives today are so full of commercialism, information and speed of data etc. It is good just to have some music or silence! Keeping it simple is also about not planning too much. One decent activity each day is all that is needed.
• Find solace in alcohol. Having your favourite tipple on hand to enjoy at the end of the day or a good bottle of wine can really turn an average day around! I recommend it as "Un PC" as that is in this day and age! Tear into it!

So there you have a few tips designed to retain sanity and minimise brain damage during a week with the midgets. Of course my sympathies go out to those who are entertaining multiple kids of various age groups. Thats when is really does get dangerous to ones sanity.

Enjoy your time off too, remember it is your annual leave you are using and you are entitled to some time off!

If you liked this post you may like some of the others I have written on parenting;

Santa....one wrong move and you are toast son

Fearless at Height: Building Fitness and Confidence