Jump in with Jacob 19 December

I’d like to begin this column by acknowledging the tragic events that unfolded at Sydney’s Bondi Beach over the weekend. Such incidents have no place in our world, let alone in our beautiful country, and I encourage everyone to keep the victims and their grieving families in your thoughts and prayers.

It’s tragedies like these that put life into perspective. They make us hug our loved ones a little tighter and question whether the minor inconveniences that normally frustrate us really matter at all.

But it’s important to come together during times like this—when it’s all too easy to point fingers. That’s the essence of our nation. That’s being Australian.

And there’s no place that embodies it better than the Burdekin.

On a brighter note, local Christmas festivities are ramping up, with the Carols proving a blast and the highly anticipated Chamber Street Party just around the corner.

Before long, the big man himself will be dropping by with all our presents. Is it too late to start being nice, or is his list already finalised? Maybe I’ll start saying please and thank you more often, as a last-ditch effort to get in the ‘good’ column.

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