#anzacday 2026. Today for honour the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who have been prepared to give the “last full measure of devotion”. In particular I honour my father Signalman LJ Crabtree RAN who served in J361 HMAS Parkes and whose life was ultimately ended prematurely because of his service. #lestweforget @royalaustraliannavy
Sad post: musician and broadcaster James Valentine has passed away. What a loss to Australia. He graced the airwaves of Sydney with his extraordinary intelligence and insightful humour and this no doubt will be much of his epitaph in the media. Here I wish to honour his skill as a saxophonist. He played for JoJo Zep and the Models amongst others and worked with Kate Ceberano and Wendy Matthews. I heard him play a couple of years ago with his band at the Manly Jazz Festival. He pulled big joyful crowd who loved every minute. It was a set of masterful and soulful performances from James, who spoke more that night with the instrument than with his voice. Vale James. What a wonderful maker of beautiful music. Gone too soon and what a loss to us all but particularly to his family. Photo Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
A flying day today. Some scenes from the day. Image 2 was the photo they took of me at the border. Would you trust this man? Arriving to a clear mild evening in sparkling Sydney.
