From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 3 April

One of the many lessons to be learned in life is not to take yourself too seriously! We are, none of us, important in the grand scheme of things.

WHILE we should take the work seriously – a fair day’s work for a fair’s day pay, but we should not allow it to overwhelm every aspect of our lives. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!”

Taking yourself seriously, and believing that you truly matter, is naïve, even delusional. Recently, Queen Elizabeth said, “We none of us live forever.” There will come a moment when a Herald will proclaim from the ramparts of St James’ Palace, London, “The Queen is dead. Long live The King.” An ancient custom which puts life into perspective.

The recent press conference tirade from the Western Bulldog’s coach, Luke Beveridge, was both embarrassing, and churlish. The felony was further compounded by his fancying it was within his purview to order a journalist to leave the room. Delusions of grandeur are both fascinating and troubling, however well intentioned. Beveridge is the coach of a football team, nothing more, nor less!

Drawing an incredulously long bow, he went on to suggest that journalist Tom Morris’ doggerel was affecting the mental health of his players. I wonder why you would allow one person’s considered humble opinion, for what it might be worth, to define any aspect of your career.

The solution is obvious and simple: If the Western Bulldog’s players are so sensitive to Morris’ written word they should not read his articles. I have little, if any sympathy. Actors, particularly those working in the theatre, spend their entire careers ducking and weaving around reviews – some of which are kind, others are less flattering.

Once, I did a production of Shakespeare’s Richard III, starring the late Peter Adams in the title role. A review in the erstwhile Bulletin magazine read, “The production has all the possibilities of being a very good radio play, except the voices aren’t good enough!” It was unkind, untrue, but most amusing!

Football is a spectacular distraction and a wonderful societal leveller; however, let us not take it too seriously. Reduced to its lowest common denominator, and removing the inordinate amount of money involved, it is a group of young men – elite athletes – chasing after a piece of odd-shaped cowhide – and all for our enjoyment; however, agreeable, there are more important things in life.

I have never met Luke Beveridge, but I would say: Build a bridge… get over it! Remember: manners maketh the man!

The story was so upsetting it brought me to tears.

An Australian battler, who lost everything in the recent catastrophic flooding, was bureaucratically parted from his dog. His new accommodation did not provide for animals. WTF!!!

The dog was forcibly adopted, and when the former owner, and something of a loner, learned the news, you could see his heart had cracked. Emotionally crushed, he turned away from the camera.

Degrees of difficulty notwithstanding, it is inconceivable that any government, Federal or state, with all the resources at its disposal, cannot ensure owners and pets are not parted when the country faces a natural disaster.

Animals are not disposable. They are part of the family. In this case it was the man’s only companion in life. It if had been a politician’s animal, assuredly, it never would have come to pass.

Like many, I am back-teeth grindingly fed-up with our uncaring, incompetent bureaucracy.

Roland can be heard with Brett Macdonald every Monday at 10.45am on 3BA and contacted via [email protected].