What happened?

Can you remember when you were a kid and you'd lie in the grass on your back and watch the clouds scud above you and you'd dream of what you were going to be when you grew up?

Well, what happened?

They're a weird mob

Ihave just bought an extra copy of the movie "They're a Weird Mob" for the Cottage to be watched by our occasional guest from overseas.

The story is based on the bestseller by John O'Grady writing as 'Nino Culotta' and is a social commentary on Australian society in the 1960s — specifically male, working-class society. And it's a commentary on Australian immigration which was then at its peak.

The final message is that immigrants - "New Australians" - should count themselves fortunate and make efforts to assimilate into Australian society, including learning to speak Australian English.

I was one of those "New Australians" who arrived at that time and fell in love with Australia. Yes, I do consider myself fortunate and I did learn to speak Australian English.

And I know you would want to watch another episode in this delightful movie:

What tolerance looks like

Do not disturb!

Nelligen is one of those places that almost wishes not to be noticed. It invites passersby to take a Sunday afternoon nap with it.

It has a community hall that keeps one eye open just long enough to give tourists a chance to buy a few trinkets.

Trinkets such as a mug from the Sydney 2000 Olympics for just 10 cents. Selling something for 10 cents these days is like saying, "We want you to have this as a gift from us but we don't want you to feel bad about it, so give us a coin you forgot you had."

Nelligen feels like rest. Real rest!