Happy Australia Day...or Invasion Day if you prefer.

Heather came up to school yesterday and reconciled our accounts from 2015.

I got the cleaning finished and I'm looking forward to a day off today. Back to work on Wednesday.

The "Southern Horizon" design has been voted the most popular alternative to the current Australian flag, according to a survey by Western Sydney University. ( Not bad, but some aboriginal recognition is needed) Personally I don't have a problem with the aboriginal flag ( below) Google's doodle today: Mmmm more Invasion Day than Australia Day And from the always funny First Dog on the Moon in the Guardian Good choice for Australian of the Year

In a pithy rebuke to our PMs MacMillain..esk catchphrase for the upcoming election that It has "never been a more exciting time to be an Australian".

Our new Australian of the year said "It is an extraordinary time to be an Australian, but I need to give it qualified agreement."

The former army chief, General Morrison, who is now chair of Diversity Council Australia explained: "For reasons beyond education and professional qualifications or willingness to contribute or a desire to be a part of our society ... too many of our fellow Australians are denied the opportunity to reach their potential.

"It happens because of their gender, because of the god they believe in, because of their racial heritage, because they're not able-bodied, because of their sexual orientation."

General Morrison retired as army chief last year, and has not been tempted since to join the ranks of former top brass who critique national security policy.

But he gave several other signals at the Australia Day awards ceremony that he will not be shy about expressing controversial opinions during 2016.( I think following in the footsteps of his equally impressive predecessor, Rosy Batty)

General Morrison began his speech by acknowledging that Australia Day was one of "emotional conflict" for Indigenous Australians, rather than a time of celebration.

In a surprise move, he also vowed to make the Australian republic a priority for the year.

"With great respect to those who don't share my views ... I will lend my voice to the republican movement in this country.

"It is time, I think, to at least revisit the question so we can stand both free and fully independent amongst the community of nations."

Hear hear....We should expect to hear a lot more for this man in 2016. On an annoying note, it is frustrating to see that once again only a third of the Australia Day honours list recipients are women! Precious few are indigenous. Meanwhile our UK Australian of the year ( yes I was surprised we had one) is a contentious Liberal Party hack who was knighted by David Cameron for helping him win an election......worthy contribution to society? The republican debate has also been given a kickstart recently with all but one Premier calling for a republic, an opposition leader who wants one and a PM who once campaigned for one!

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Australia deserves an Australian Head of State http://www.change.org/p/australia-deserves-an-australian-head-of-state?recruiter=30141138&utm_campaign=signature_receipt_twitter_dialog&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition via @ChangeAUS

Leunig.