I’m all for a balance between male and female employees, but unfortunately, in an effort to close the gap, I have witnessed some women pushed into, and really struggle with positions they were not ready for.

Women are reaching out and involving themselves in once male dominated vocations. Women are assuming roles in once male dominated executive positions. These women have made their way on merit, and that is how it should be.

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Another expression with historic connotation, also reflecting the change in status of women.

In the early days, baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and girls and finally the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could almost lose someone in it, hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water”.

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So sad to hear of the passing of Robert Corkhill, a great family man, a great supporter of the Catholic Church, and a man who many regarded as Boorowa’s Poet Laureate – ‘The Bard of Boorowa’.

Robert was Boorowa’s first acolyte, such was his devotion to his Catholic faith. A huge supporter of the early days of St Vinnies, he organized many a wood drive to support the cause.

Barely a Balladeers program on Australia Day passed without Robert reciting one or two of his brilliant poems – poems that painted a picture of everyday rural life and the people living in and around Boorowa, and always with that characteristic humour.

Telling the story of how young Ces (Brenden) had left home, done it tough and returned home to his welcoming family, love of family and his religion are reflected in these lines:

“Does the story sound familiar? Have you read the Bible too?”

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Anzac Day celebrations are done and dusted for another year, but I received an epistle from Bede Ryan telling me he had a friend who attended the celebrations at Villers-Bretonneux. The yarn going around is that after the victory over the Germans rescuing Villers-Bretenneux, an Aussie Soldier was sitting outside a café enjoying a beer. An American Soldier joined him, ordered a beer and immediately complained the beer was flat. The Oz wit replied, “No wonder – you took three years to get here.”

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Some may say scary, others genius, but Telegraph columnist Miranda Devine has a possible solution for the problems Tony Abbott creates for Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberal Party.

Miranda suggests a way to “honour his legacy, harness his talents, engage his intellect, and offer him dignity and status as a former PM” is to “offer him a job he can’t refuse”.

Sir Peter Cosgrove retires at year’s end. You’ve got it. Miranda’s idea – Tony Abbott for Governor General. Now that would put the cat among the pigeons and set tongues a flapping. Then again:

“The proper memory for a politician is one that knows what to remember and what to forget.” (John Morley)