Kevin Harper Esq

12/05/2025

22/07/2024

I wonder if there is an intended pun here?

21/07/2024

It looks like our non-stop week of rain is continuing today ☔️

07/07/2024

Monday (8 July) at noon, we will gather at Saint John's Anglican Church in Simpson Street, Ballan, to celebrate, and give thanks for, the life of James Hay.

James' dedication to the local community and his service to the Anglican Church worldwide truly embody the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: enter now into the joy of your Lord."

Let's come together to honour his remarkable contributions and legacy.

03/07/2024

Yet another delightful breakfast from . Creative, edible designs to brighten these winter mornings.

02/06/2024

BBC Sounds is currently running a series of the famous monologues of Marriott Edgar on - you may remember the famous one where Albert is eaten by a lion at the Zoo.

On a cold and wet day, confining me to my Study, I have attempted a modern version, based around some of my own family's experience over the last two weeks. Here it is:

SIRI becomes Albert © Kevin Harper Esq 2024

Albert Ramsbottom, a lad with a knack,
For gadgets and tech, took the phone off the rack.
"It's simple, see Ma," he began with a smile,
"To use Siri here, just chat for a while.

Now, Ma was quite puzzled, with tech she'd not mingled,
"Speak to it, how?" her old fingers all tingled.
"Siri's a helper, a voice in the phone,
Just ask him a question; he'll answer in tone."

Albert, with patience, said, "Let me just show,
You press this here button, then speak nice and slow."
He held down the button, said, "Siri hello!"
But the iPhone, it shimmered, with a peculiar glow.

In a whirr of the tech, the unthinkable done,
Young Albert got sucked in, each bit, one by one.
Mrs. Ramsbottom gasped, dropping her tea,
"Albert, oh Albert, now where could you be?"

From the phone came a voice, both chipper and clear,
"It's me, Ma, I'm here, no need for a tear.
I'm Siri now, or so it appears,
I'll help with your questions, and search through the years."

Mrs. Ramsbottom, unsure, gave a tentative poke,
To the phone that now housed her young Albert bloke.
"Albert, can you hear me? Is that really you?"
Loud and clear, he replied, "Yes, Ma, it's true!"

"Now ask me a question, I'm here to assist,
From weather to recipes, nothing’s amiss."
Mrs. Ramsbottom thought, then started to speak,
"How do I make your dad’s crumpets with butter?"

With precision and care, Albert guided her through,
Ingredients and steps, nothing askew.
Ma was delighted, though her boy was inside,
She now had her tech-savvy son, as her guide.

Days turned to weeks, with Albert in the phone,
Helping his Ma, never to moan.
From finding a shop to curing ham,
Albert the Siri, was quite the program.

So if you've a query, and you're in the zone,
Remember young Albert, in his iPhone throne.
The Ramsbottom lad, who tech did ensnare,
Became his Ma’s Siri, with none to compare."

Kevin Harper June 2024.

26/04/2024

And yet another example of bad and sloppy sentence construction from The Courier :

" ...Former Ballarat federal MP John Mildren OAM is being remembered as someone who tirelessly fought to improve the city after he died aged 91. ..."

Are we invoking the Saints in Glory to intercede for us?

25/04/2024

https://gopro.com/v/WlW2wMJEEg8JK

25/04/2024

I think Michaela Settle MP wins the best 'military stride' from amongst our local politicians during today's ANZAC Day Parade. As an RMA Sandhurst graduate I think I am qualified to judge.

25/04/2024

ANZAC Day 2024 with the inaugural horse and rider for the newly formed Ballan Light Horse Company. Sporting my RAMC tie and retired officer' Bowler.

01/01/2024

To end the year on a musical note, here are the last few items from the 2023 concert from Enduring Classics at Christchurch Anglican Cathedral.

Enduring Classics brings to you "A Touch of Spring" .A live recording from the Anglican Cathedral of Christ the King, in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. A vid...