Bramshaw ICS Conference Communications

My city is devastated- we have moved from the worlds most livable to the most locked down city in the world in 18 months. Police/Militia are currently violently arresting anyone in the City dressed in safety gear.
The Government, a left of centre one, has failed to protect its people.
Today we have a kaki militia carrying flash grenades, knives, machin pistols throwing people to the ground and running at pedestrians to stop them helping.
Our old pale blue clothed friendly cops are now dressed in black Stasi like uniforms who hit first ask questions later.
Having a Westminster style of Govt the executive and the judiciary are meant to be independent from each other.
Now our police take orders from the Premier directly.
Fines for breaching Covid emergency laws are discriminatory- if you are white Christian or Jew you cop it but if you are from another group which Labor is targeting for votes the cops turn away.
It is sickening.
It gets worse.
Our business events industry was told by the state treasurer that is is not an industry and would not get help.
A $12billion industry employing some 75,000 skilled technicians!
Our treasurer’s view is that small business is simply a pariah.
Instead the Government is spending millions on drug dens in our city and in residential areas.
Our great city of Melbourne is lost.
I weep for thee.

Just sent to me on LinkedIn - very relevant to all of us.
-----------
In theatre we have a tradition- whenever the theatre is empty we are always sure to leave one light on. Typically on a stand in the centre of the stage, this light is known as the ghost light. There are many stories about its origin- but it’s meaning is unmistakable.
It means though the theatre is empty, WE WILL RETURN. So here’s to us. The actors, the technicians, the directors, the carpenters, the designers, the dancers, the teachers, the students, the freelancers, those on tour, those at sea, the electricians, the stitchers, the makers, the stage managers.... THE ARTISTS. Many of us have taken big hits during this virus. Financial and emotional weights have come crashing down as our entire industry is reduced to nothing but a bunch of ghost lights. But those ghost lights are temporary place holders. They are a sign. We might be down now- but our passion, our creativity, our drive is still centre stage. We’ll be unplugging those ghost lights in no time. Until then- here’s a ghost light- to let the world know WE WILL BE BACK.