ClaptonS

not encouraging ......love Oz most of the time (despite being a Victorian who's *not* up herself LOL :-D but our pollies are sadly taking us in the globalisation direction & our lifestyle (including open space vs medium-density housing) is quickly diminishing :-( Do you guys give feedback to our tourism/ immigration/other govt departments? I'd really like to address this trend in appropriate ways, rather than start another Eureka Stockade: (I don't think my UK-born ancestors were involved in that BTW ;-D but some fellow Aussies are lazy, & I'd prefer to juggle music/biz projects in 2014 rather than #AuspolAntics :-( #SuesSilentStrike :-P

No, you're not mad (sometimes I'd like to join you - but not this time of year! :-D Aussies are sometimes embarrassing, but we're not all loudmouth drunks, and I also like to have a meal with/without family in a fun pub atmosphere, on one condition: there is some entertainment other than pokies. Long story, but my musician friends & I are trying to retain the lifestyle we love in Melbourne: brilliant live music (listening to, or preferably playing it! :-) The introduction of pokies in Victoria 20yrs ago added to the pressures of over-commercialisation of the music industry and many of us, and our fans, lost out. We currently have a lobby group and several initiatives run by some of our best Aussie musicians, and would love to add your feedback/ )support to highlight the issue to ignorant politicians (who claim to be concerned about social/gambling problems & retaining our 'most liveable city' status :-P If you have the same interest in positive, fun Aussie entertainment, please feel free to look me up on Facebook: Sue Clapton (vocalist/writer) and I can share links/info on developments. If we don't keep making forward progress, some of us might be happy to do a UK house-swap with you guys (and just sing in the shower)! :-D Take care, and feel free to share any (G-rated!) feedback about music: Aus or UK ......might even use it in my entertainment writing project next year :-) Enjoy your time here - hope we take better care of you in future! Luv, Sue xo