CURRENT MISSION

I just like seeing how the world is shaping up through meeting it's people

ABOUT ME

I am a 66 year old, slightly disabled, gay man. Don't let that worry you, I am also very self-reliant and am not looking for carers.

I am very active in my community (the Aboriginal community), being a board member of an Aboriginal men's group. I am probably the only gay men in the group, so I am not worried about other people's preferences.

I am also active in my city, being on a few advisory panels in an attempt to keep the politicians honest. I do not follow any political ideal, although I would be called very left of centre philosophically.

I love my music, which can be anything from classical, through to jazz, even rap. It just has to 'hit me', rather than be of a specific type. I read a lot and do a lot of work on my computer for volunteer organisations.

Although basically retired I sometimes lecture at universities on corporate governance, social justice issues and Aboriginal issues.

I have one small dog, who keeps me walking and caring.

I have a very active social life, although I have begun to quieten down a little. However, I am still a 'big kid' at heart and still feel excitement even at fireworks displays.

I was an activist in the gay rights and HIV AIDS areas. I have also been somewhat of an activist in Aboriginal rights issues.

Just a little (late) update. In December 2013 I was invited by the French Government and the French High Commissioner for Human Rights to fly to Paris to recieve a Human Rights Medal. I was representing an organsation that I co-founded, the Indigenous Social Justice Association Inc. The award was for long service advocating for Aboriginal people in areas of social justice and imprisonment.

PHILOSOPHY

My philosophy is to live my life in my own way asking permission from no man. I have taken many risks, done things I am proud of and other things I still feel ashamed in remembering. But it has all been at my own doing and not at the behest of someone else.

In relation to other people, a strong theme of my life is to do no harm and preferably do good. I have a vague belief in karma and cause and effect.

I let other people live their lives as long as it does not impact on my quiet enjoyment.

I am gentle, but I have claws if necessary. I am unassuming, but I assume others will be just as unassuming. I am often disappointed until I talk to myself and demand that I do not judge others by my own expectations.

I love life. I love people. I love a crowd but thrive on being alone.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am a host and perhaps a point of contact for people who are looking for advice, even advocacy I suppose. But mainly it will be an occasional host to people visiting Sydney.

I don't expect that I will be doing much couchsurfing myself, if at all. I am getting just a tad too old and definitely too crotchety to 'rough it', preferring my creature comforts too much.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have had no couch surfing experience except as a host.

In my younger days when I was travelling, I was very independent and made my own way. Things were a little easier in those days though and it was easier (and safer) to travel around.

Interests

I have many interests. Music, books, art. Computers and their ability to reach out all over the world are fascinating to me.

I love to learn about other people and their lives and countries.

I am fairly shy in some ways, although my friends would never say that about me.

I prefer to have a quiet life now, although sometimes that is not possible and not as appreciated as at other times.

• dogs
• arts
• books
• mardi gras
• human rights
• walking
• flying
• politics
• traveling
• music
• jazz
• surfing
• emergency services
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Lord of the Rings trilogy; The African Queen, Casablanca, Midnight Cowboy

Music: Miserere - Tallis; anything by Beethoven; Bluegrass music is a current interest, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd;

Books: Anything by Tim Winton, Hesse - The Glass Bead Game & Steppenwolf; most science fiction - even bad science fiction;

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of my most pleasant (though probably perverse) memories is at the first Gay Mardi Gras march in Sydney so many years ago - it was not called Mardi Gras at the time.

We were marching. The police stepped in and started arresting us and bashing us with truncheons. My friend, standing next to me, was hit in the head with a truncheon and fell to the ground. I was so incensed that I turned around and punched the police officer who did it and knocked him out. I picked up my friend and got him out of there.

I was later arrested and spent the night in the local lock-up where so many of us were gang-bashed.

But it was a turning point for gay rights in Australia. It was not much fun at the time. In later years, of course, it all expanded and some memories became clearer.

Even now when I remember the look on my friend's face when I punched the officer, I have a little laugh. he was so surprised - as were many other people - because he had never seen me in that way before.

Not really amazing I suppose. But that night was Australia's answer to Stonewall. It created a consciousness that strengthened a movement that spread all around Australia. I am still proud to have been a fairly small, inconsequential part of it all.

Teach, Learn, Share

I suppose that a unique thing with me is that I am very involved in Aboriginal issues. I would not expect that there are many Aboriginal people in Australia who have joined CS. Since I sometimes lecture on Aboriginal issues, have been involved in Aboriginal politics and social justice for many years, I probably have something out of the ordinary for those interested. Although I never force my interests on other people and they need to ask for information before I will impart it. But, ask one of my 'wind-up' questions and sit down and enjoy the ride.

I suppose the thing I want to learn is about each individual and their particular make-up. I think everyone does have something to offer and to learn from. It is not often something that one describes, or understands. But I know it when I have seen or learnt from it.

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