The Covid Anzac

The Anzac He loved his children. A defiant atheist, he had plans for them, simple plans, a house, family holidays a better car. And other dreams that he could sense where up ahead somewhere, perhaps waiting for all of them to arrive, but instead the war turned up. He did not want to go. He did not believe in it. But someone had to provide for his children and his partner, who also did not want him to go. So he took one for the team. His friends had done it and they were fine. Sadly though, in all wars there are casualties and so, I guess, this was his fate. His death was short but arduous. His body rotted from the inside, while he was still alive, and yet ironically, or inevitably, as he approached his death, unable, no matter how hard he fought, to stay with his family, to protect them from all that was coming, his partner told me that he found some peace. “I’ve given my heart to God,” he told her, as outside their house, the world moved on, without missing a beat. Michael Gray Griffith Mandurah Gathering Café Locked Out’s New Goal The Deplorables Epic Road Trip Recording Australian Voices Everywhere For Australians Everywhere Second Leg: Perth to Mount Isa "I'm no longer a writer, I'm now a historian capturing a history they are already trying to erase." ~Michael Gray Griffith The first leg of the tour, from Melbourne to Perth was focused on seeding the hope of Epic in communities around Australia. The method was simple. We'd announce when we were to arrive in the next town and once there, we'd join a gathering of likeminded people, or those who were just curious and we would invite people from the gathering to be guests. Separate to this I would also record individual interviews. This we will continue to do, and not only to document the stories of those Australians the main stream media ignores, but to use their voices to spread hope and courage. Basically we are in recruitment. We are trying to motivate people to fight for decency, fairness, empathy and freedom. The question we’re interested in over and above their own stories is, as a community, where are we now? Where are we going? Do we have to go there or are there other options? Options with more freedom. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cafelockeddown.substack.com/subscribe