From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 1 January

This year of 2020 has not been one on which most of us will look back with undiluted pleasure.

WHILE it was neither the best, nor the worst, of times in the annals of the world’s recorded history, it was a year during which we were, all of us, brushed with some form of hardship. Seemingly, no-one was immune from the far-reaching tentacles of COVID-19; not even those who foolishly doubted its potency!

Anecdotally, the lock-down has, for some, proven an emotional trial. For others it was a time of easy adjustment. Whether or not we have learned anything from this year is a matter of conjecture. For the majority, the isolation offered an opportunity for serious soul-searching; introspection to contemplate those things which truly matter in our lives; to examine relationships, and to attempt to separate the chaff from the wheat in what constitutes the minutiae of our daily toil. Sadly, the pressures of modern existence have the potential to create a soulless life.

It is impossible to imagine how it will be once the pandemic has passed. Will it ever be as it was?

Sadly, and only for an avaricious handful, COVID-19 presented an opportunity to rort the system; but that was inevitable. We live in a world where success is measured by an accumulation of wealth. The cha-ching of the cash register is music to their ears, and money is the food for their souls. When presented with chance there are those for whom financial deviousness is too tempting.

This year marked the 75th Anniversary since the end the Second World War. One million Australian men and women served in the armed forces. They went with a youthful spring in their step and came home seasoned adults. Some never spoke of their experience. They picked-up with their lives. While many who saw active service are with us still, their numbers are thinning, exponentially. Age has taken its toll. Today, their backs are bent and their shoulders are rounded, but their spirit pervades. We owe them an immense debt of gratitude.

The catastrophic January bushfires burnt-out 18 million hectares, claimed the lives of 28 people, and destroyed 3000 homes.

General Motors-Holden announced the iconic Australian Holden brand would be retired by 2021. The first Holden was launched in 1948.

The High Court upheld Cardinal George Pell’s appeal against conviction. A single judgment held there is, “a significant possibility that an innocent person has been convicted because the evidence did not establish guilt”.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced plans to create a mandatory code of conduct requiring Facebook, Google and other tech giants, to pay news outlets for use of its content.

Demonstrations across the country were held as part of a series of George Floyd international protests. Aboriginal deaths in custody was a focus of the Australian gatherings.

Parkes Observatory was added to the National Heritage List.

Around 250 pilot whales beached themselves on Tasmania’s West Coast near Macquarie Heads. A further 200 whales were stranded two days later, making it the largest cetacean stranding in Australia’s recorded history.

Stand Strong For Who You Are, Vincent Namatjira’s self-portrait with Adam Goodes, won the coveted Archibald Prize.

For the first time in football history the AFL Grand Final was played at the Gabba, Brisbane.

After years of family lobbying, World War II sailor, Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour “in the presence of the enemy”.

The Australian Defence Force released the final report of the inquiry by Justice Paul Brereton into alleged war crimes during the War in Afghanistan.

Two people were killed, and several passengers injured, when a train traveling from Sydney to Melbourne derailed at Wallan.

Happy New Year. I hope 2021 brings you true peace and happiness.

Roland can be heard each Monday on 3BA at 10.45am and contacted via [email protected].