BLOGGING AND ME

Considering how basic my blog currently appears, it will come as no surprise to you that blogging has been rather foreign to me until now. The Australian Democrats suggested we try blogging as a way of communicating with our constituents. We’re not a rich party like the rest of them so we need to try these novel means of communication. Many have taken to it like a duck to water. There are so many to mention but in the interests of the public, I will only mention a few. In the Melbourne seat of Isaacs, the beautiful Laura Chipp has contributed some insightful comments to cyberspace. Similarly, it is hard not to be impressed by South Australian #2 Senate Candidate Max Baumann’s conviction. Finally, the young Pierce Field is displaying maturity beyond his years as he takes on Malcolm Turnbull, George Newhouse and the others in Wentworth.

I don’t know how I’ll find it. I may even continue after the election. I love to vent. It’s just that blogs are so unusual to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I do read some blogs. I must mention the House of Commons because I went to uni with two-thirds of the contributors on that blog. They speak about intellectual property in a very refreshing tone. Indeed, learning is fun when it is full of pop-culture references.

Andrew Bartlett’s blog is one of the best there is for Australian politics. I’m not just saying this because he is a Democrat. He is one of the few genuine bloggers we have in Australian politics. This is more than John Howard’s Myspace or Kevin Rudd’s Facebook, Andrew gets in there and has a go himself. He’s tapping at the keyboard and not some staffer. It certainly adds to the amazing insights he offers.

I also like to read Mike’s blog. It’s the best place to get updates on New Zealand cricket – definitely a specialist subject in Australia. For the record, I follow the Central District Stags.

Finally, it wouldn’t be a blogging column is I didn’t mention my good friend Paull Young. We were old work buddies in the kitchens of the Sydney Superdome until blogging took him all over the world – literally. His blog became so well known in industry circles that he was offered many jobs. He lives in New York now where he works in PR and Social Media. He is at the forefront of 21st Century communications. His blog can be a bit academic at times but his sense of humor shines through. His Twitter page is a wonderful diary about an Aussie in New York – it has the makings of a TV Show I tells ya. Simon Sharwood is another PR man that likes blogging. Simon also happens to write the best Newtown Jets match previews this side of the Milky Way.

So I will give blogging a go. It will be as much a journey for me as it will be for you readers (and hopefully there are a few of you out there).

About Me.

You could click on the “about” link or you could read ahead.

My name is Jeffrey Gabriel. I am the youngest of triplets born to Portuguese migrants. I have no other brothers or sisters. I live with my identical twin brother, my sister and my parents. I have lived in Sydney’s inner west my entire life and I love the place. I am currently living in Stanmore, where I have been for 24.2 of my 24.9 years on Earth. I know I am biased but it’s the best suburb in Sydney.

I am currently working as a legal clerk and I hope to be admitted as a solicitor by February next year.

My spare time is spent absorbed in sport, politics and the community. I love my sport, particularly my Newtown Jets, Australia’s oldest Rugby League Club on whose Board I proudly sit. I’m also a big fan of cricket, soccer, tennis, basketball, Australian football and netball.

I love my politics. Being a candidate that’s probably a bit obvious. I’ve been an Australian Democrats supporter from way back. I remember seeing John Coulter address the nation on ABC during the 1993 election. I’ve been curious ever since. I admire the way they have worked to produce effective outcomes for Australia and I admire their resolve to curb the excesses of government and expose hypocrisy.

I am also very passionate about my community. It goes beyond local pride. I geuinely care about my patch of Sydney and want to see it and its people improve, mature and develop. I have a strong sense of social justice that I can trace back to my Catholic school education. I’m not a devout person these days but I acknowledge this aspect of religion as a strong influence on my conscience.

That’s probably why I’ve often been so quick to put my hand up to help out at the Jets, at St Vincent De Paul, where I was once a member, and at other charity events where I have pitched in, including six years for Kids Help Line and a couple of events with SHINE For Kids. It’s not about devoting your whole life but rather pitching in every so often. It is a very humbling experience and certainly most rewarding.

Press Release: Democrats Announce Candidate For Grayndler

With all fingers crossed, the following press release will lead to articles in my local newspapers this week. I’m still thinking of a photo to attach. Smiling on command for the camera has never been my strong point.

DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCE CANDIDATE FOR GRAYNDLER

Stanmore resident Jeffrey Gabriel has been endorsed by the Australian Democrats as their candidate for the seat of Grayndler at the 2007 Federal Election.

Gabriel is employed as a legal clerk. He is the youngest of triplets born to Portuguese migrants and has lived in the Grayndler area his entire life. He is active in local organisations. Until recently he was a member of the Dulwich Hill Conference of St Vincent De Paul and for the past four years he has served on the Board of the Newtown Jets Rugby League Club.

“I love the inner west. I couldn’t imagine anywhere else to live and it would be a pleasure to serve my community.”

Gabriel is standing to provide voters with a sensible, independent and common sense approach to politics.

“For eleven years we’ve had a government concerned only with itself. At the same time we have an Opposition that mostly opposes the government in name only. ALP may as well stand for Agree with the Liberal Party. We need politicians that can serve for the future, that understand the need to address climate change, that don’t discriminate against minorities and that work for all people.”

The Australian Democrats appealed to Gabriel because of their vision, their independence, their breadth of policies and their record in curbing the excesses of both parties.

“I chose the Democrats because they are independent of unions, business and other movements. They are not an extremist party nor are they a single-issue party. The Democrats have successfully moved thousands of amendments to laws made by Labor and the Coalition to curb their excesses and provide better outcomes for Australians, more than any other third party. A vote for the Democrats is a vote for balance and common sense.”

ENDS

Hello world!

John Laws’ catchcry welcomes you to my blog.

My name is Jeffrey Gabriel. I am 24, the youngest of triplets born to Portuguese migrants. I live in Stanmore, the suburb I’ve called home for my entire life, save the first few months of my existence that were spent in Annandale.

I started this blog at the same time that I have publicly announced my candidacy for the seat of Grayndler representing the Australian Democrats. Enjoy the blog. More posts to come.

Jeff