Hall & Oates

Hall & Oates - apparently the story was they met when they both were hiding from a gun fight in their home town and as they developed their relationship there was a mail box named 'Hall and Oates'. 

Yes -- it was Darrell Hohl not Hall.

Last weekend we saw Hohl and Oates on the Green.  They are one of the music icons of my generation; they were hard to define, with a soul, pop, rock sound.  The songs take me back to my Uni and just out of University days, so much of this music was playing at the parties and functions that I was working as a waiter. The music kept me going through the 12 hour shifts, that had no meal breaks !

Clearly this what makes them 'special' and they appear to be quite normal with both having their own solo careers and without the normal breakups and reunions.

Talented and still making good music, they were fun to watch. However the Brisbane crowd were not always paying attention and was quite mixed with some grey-haired set with the younger ones. The audience was in general fairly passive and this made the event somewhat lower key.

Hall and Oates had an Australian band (Icehouse) as their support group and it was clear to me that the audience seemed to like the support more than the main event.

Interestingly one of the hits of Icehouse was "Electric Blue" that was co-written with John Oates.

What is important?

What is important? That is a lifelong question that we all need to struggle with. I've thought about this over a number of years and come up with a few simple questions to reflect on:

- How do I feel go about myself and how do I treat others?

- Am I spending enough time with my family and loved ones ?

- Is my work both rewarding and challenging?

- Do I feel life is taking me in the right direction?

- Can I connect with my spiritual feelings and do feel in touch with this dimension?

These are all questions that we all struggle with in our daily lives. The lucky ones are those few beings who are able to be at peace with this noise and constant struggle.

I would believe that our journey of life should address these issues and allow us to reconcile the meaning of our existence.

Good adventure with your own journey!

Sunshine Beach

Sunshine Beach sounds like a location with an abundance of sun-rays.

Yes I can report that this locale has clear beaches and blue skies. A nice little surf break and not over crowded or full of tourists.

As you examine the sea from a vantage point is the glitter of dolphins swimming in the distance. For the Dolphins in their natural habitat and they frolic happily in the clear water.

Thanks to our hosts for a great weekend of food and wine.

11 11 11

Like most 'special' days there are always the end of the world conspiracies. Plus a share of speculation and superstition. I'm glad to report that for me 11/11/11 was just another day in paradise.

27 degrees....lots to do

Enjoying the challenge at work Actually turned out to be a pretty good one.

There is one more of these special days to look forward to in my lifetime 12 12 12.

Leaving Melbourne

This weekend will mark my last official weekend in Melbourne. Having returned late last evening from Brisbane I immediately got into 'task' mode of packing some items that I have been missing in my new apartment. A good novel, some shoes a few more shirts etc

But today after a few hours sleep and Anna I will be back in the streets to experience what is arguably Australia's best city. Why is Melbourne so good?

Well I believe you really need to live here to appreciate the city and the richness of culture, sports and lifestyle. For me I would add these highlights:

- Australian Grand Prix
- Australian Open Tennis
- Theatre & Shows
- Mornington Peninsular Wineries
- Yarra Valley Wineries
- Aussie Rules @ the MCG (just an experience)
- Rebels Rugby
- Bars, Tapas and great great food
- Accessibility (the Trams are really a great way to get around)
- Sand Belt Golf Courses (so many to choose from)

I'm sure that I forgot many things that we also enjoyed and I do understand why it rates as one of the best places in the world to live. We will be going to the Theatre and eating one last time, at some of our favourite haunts.

Actually I should also add; that despite the bad press - the weather in Melbourne is really not that bad and you get used to the 4 seasons in one day. The new job is really really great and I'm enjoying being back in the saddle again. (I'm enjoying the challenge and also the organisation culture \ the people)

Goodbye to Melbourne and Hello to our new life in Brisbane !

CIO Credit Union of Australia

I'm excited to announce that I've accepted the role of CIO for Credit Union of Australia. We will be relocating to Brisbane hence there is so much to do..so little time.

More details later......but here is the Press Release


CUA, Australia’s largest customer-owned financial institution, has today announced the appointment of David Gee as Chief Information Officer (CIO). Mr Gee will join CUA on Monday 5 September.

Mr Gee is a highly experienced CIO with an international career spanning a broad range ofindustries and roles featuring strong, transformational change. He joins CUA from KPMG IT Advisory’s Australian practice, where he was Director, consulting to a range of companiesincluding the major banks and corporations. Prior to that David held CIO roles in Eli Lilly, a top 10 global pharmaceutical company, across its US, Japan, China and broader Asian operations over a 15 year period. Mr Gee has significant experience in driving change using both business process re-engineering and with six sigma.

According to CUA’s Chief Executive Officer, Chris Whitehead, Mr Gee’s extensive sector experience with its strong focus on IT-led transformation will be invaluable to CUA as it progresses on its growth strategy.

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of such a high calibre CIO. I am confident that David’s international experience and background in transformational change will bring great perspective to the organisation and ensure we remain focused as we continue to refine
our IT strategy.

“CUA has a number of major IT related projects underway, including the installation of a new core system and the development of our digital strategy. Recently we’ve had great success with the launch of iPhone and Android applications and our Facebook site, and we look forward to David’s passion for innovation in the digital space to progress these initiatives.

“David was the successful candidate from a very strong field of applicants which is testament to our growing profile and the desire of quality candidates, both internal and external, to join us on our exciting journey of growth,” said Mr Whitehead.

Mr Gee said, “The transformation journey that CUA has embarked on aligns closely with my previous experience and is an area in which I find the greatest job satisfaction. Since returning to Australia in 2010 I have been looking for the right opportunity to move back into a corporate CIO role and am genuinely excited about the activities and initiatives taking place at CUA and the opportunities for me to make a meaningful contribution.”

Even Celebrity Chef George thinks I should be leaving KPMG !

This morning....

Just imagine that you are in the Hot Air Balloon over Melbourne. You would be thinking "what a beautiful day it is today...the sun is shining and the weather is just gorgeous"

"I'm so lucky and happy...a great day to be alive"

But the world is full of disturbances both economic, social and political. At the same time there are just appalling images of famine in Africa where the poorest of poor are struggling to just stay alive.

There is so much to be grateful for and we all take everything for granted.

Let me ask all of us to picture ourselves way above it all and that just might help many of us to look beyond our own circumstances.