The Fitz Files
Illustration: Reg Lynch
Re TFF's item last week about the moving inscription I saw on a grave at Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, a fortnight ago, I am told that Tony Wright's book, Turn Right at Istanbul, also has a photo of a particularly poignant one from the same cemetery: ''A mother's thoughts often wander to this sad and lonely grave …''
We weep. Most inspiring, however, are the words of Kemal Ataturk who led the Turkish forces during the campaign, before becoming the Turkish Republic's first president, and those words are emblazoned on a monument right by the spot our Diggers landed: ''Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives … you are now living in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore, rest in peace. You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosoms and are in peace, after having lost their lives on this land they have now become our sons as well.'' Beautiful.
All white for Pope
The Pope is crook, long live the Pope. Fascinating, wasn't it, to see all the pomp and pageantry of an ancient process, through modern eyes? Most arresting for me was the sheer gushing afterwards from so many teary people at St Peter's as to what a wonderful address he gave, of how it was all so simple, so beautiful, so humble … and how about the fact that he didn't have any of the red accoutrements, but was just dressed all in white? A brilliant beginning for a truly wonderful Pope! Thank the Lord! Etc, etc, etc. Personally, as one not raised from birth on the idea that the fellow with the white cap was of divine inspiration, I didn't see it like that at all. His appearance on the balcony seemed amazingly underwhelming at first, and while his speech seemed fine, it was also notable for not displaying even a hint of progressive thinking. Truly amazing, though, is that for the staggering amount of work to be done to modernise the church and quell the many fires consuming it - which will take superhuman energy and courage - the conclave put in charge a 76-year-old with one lung who is notable for not having spoken out against the brutal Argentinian junta when they were in charge? Mysterious ways, etc …
Still no answers
And though still no one has confirmed the extraordinary epitaph I remember seeing at Lone Pine 30 years ago - ''Died in a foreign land, and for what?'' - another reader says there is a very similar one at the Villers-Bretonneux main cemetery, on the right as you walk in at the bottom of the cemetery. It reads: ''Lives Lost, Hearts Broken - And For What?''
What in heaven?
You know when you're travelling across the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the north, and you've just passed the southern pylons, and you look to your left, you can see that ''ONE WAY JESUS'' sign? What is that all about?
Morning, guv'nor
Just another sleepy Sunday afternoon in Sydney, down on the peninsula. At the Gloria Jean's coffee shop in Narrabeen, there are perhaps a dozen people at the tables when in walks a casually dressed but distinguished looking lady who orders a coffee. After a brief chat with the owner, who recognises her, the lady sits down and proceeds to drink her coffee and read the newspaper. None of the other people in the coffee shop take any particular note and, after 20 minutes, she gets up, says goodbye to the staff and is gone - likely to a reception at Government House. For it was our most respected Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Marie Bashir. Gotta love this city.
Joke of the week
Some of the best lines of comedian Steven Wright:
''I stayed in a really old hotel last night. They sent me a wake-up letter.''
''Ballerinas are always on their toes. Why don't they just get taller ballerinas?''
''I remember when the candle shop burned down. Everyone stood around singing Happy Birthday.''
''There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.''
''I just got skylights put in my place. The people who live above me are furious.''
''Imagine if birds were tickled by feathers.''
Twitter: @Peter_Fitz
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