I had never attended a student graduation before, when I completed my business diploma at Challenger Institute of Technology I was expecting an invitation. But, to my surprise, I received my certificate in the mail. This was when they decided to drop the graduation to save money, not an issue for me; however, I felt for the full-time students who attended the institute for a year to earn their diploma – a poor decision.

I had not planned to attend, I had never considered attending as I completed my diploma off-campus so I had never met any of the staff face-to-face so it would have been awkward anyway. But this is not about me, I was disappointed for all the full-time students who had completed their diploma and above who would not be receiving their certificates via an awards ceremony.

Of all the places to shirk on costs, this was a bad decision I thought. What this does is devalue the institution, are they so cheap they cannot even put on an awards night? What value do they place on education, if they are cost cutting here, where else are they cutting costs? Are their training services value for money? How do they value quality?

As a former dive shop manager and owner, I have accumulated a dive computer collection over time ranging from the Heinrichs Weikamp OSTC 2N, VR3, Suunto D6, Suunto Vyper, Mares icon, Aladin Sport, Aladin Air X NitrOx and the Aladin Pro.

Of those, the HW OSTC 2N, Mares icon and Suunto Vyper have failed – the Heinrichs Weikamp screen was faulty straight out of the box actually. Still going strong is the Aladin Pro, my computer of choice for deep air decompression diving. The screen is large, the numbers are easy to read at depth where nitrogen narcosis is an issue and the display is uncluttered. With the exception of the VR3, the Aladin Pro is my computer of choice for air dives.

As I always conduct deep air decompression dives on a square profile, backing up the ZHL-8 Buelmann algorithm with IANTD Buelmann derived tables on my slate is simple. As I also use my VR3 as my secondary device during these dives, the profiles match. The VR3 as the secondary device you ask? For me, failing eyesight makes reading other dive computers a real struggle; I should be getting some laser assisted vision pretty soon.

It has been argued the variable ascent rate model is outdated, if you time your ascent rate from depth to 9 metres per minute then you will have no problems, a skill a decompression diver should be able to perform comfortably. A deep stop, although not scientific shows anecdotal evidence of less fatigue post dive slows your ascent rate at depth, a gas switch to EAN36 @ 30 metres also enhances decompression safety when the initial stops are taken on bottom mix.

The final 10 metres in a decompression dive is spent at each individual ceiling depth anyway, the diver moves very slowly from depth to depth off-gassing slow tissues. The focus then is to limit the bubble seed nuceli ascending from depth using correct ascent techniques of an advanced diver. The fast tissue compartments, 2.5 and 5 minutes are resent within 30 minutes as the EE washout reset these tissue compartments very rapidly, the slower tissue compartments reset slowly and are thus the controlling factor for repetitive dives.

The Casio A158WA is a vintage watch, Casio is good for manufacturing low cost and functional watches. The G-Shock is their current range that is highly popular, the older models in the pre G-Shock range are what Casio built their reputation on. Casio is a pretty broad manufacturing company, their range of calculators are world famous.

The A158WA is the watch that watch snobs wear from time to time in their rotation, I never owned an A158WA so I am a little interested. I had a F91W for my work watch, I used it underground and originally wore it on my wrist until the strap broke. Then it was carried in the top zipped pocket of my overalls, I did not frequently need to view the time so that worked for me.

So why should I consider the A158WA? Well, apart from the stainless steel case and bracelet, it is pretty much a stainless steel version of the plastic F91W. This is a basic digital watch on a stainless steel bracelet. This is what concerns me, I do like to wear an anti-establishment watch around from time-to-time. For this I have my old Citizen Promaster as a dive watch on a stainless steel bracelet and Tissot Everytime on a cheap leather strap. What I don’t want is a cheap Casio bracelet that is a hair puller, so I am already considering my options.

I am interested in dive watches, one that I hadn’t previously considered is the Mido Oceanstar. I had previously checked out a Mido watch when I was passing through Singapore’s Changi Airport. This was more of a dress style and I decided against the purchase. It had a gold PVD [Physical Vapour Depositation] case, that is not the style I generally prefer. I had a gold plated Timex as a kid, I am not the flashy type and prefer a stainless steel watch and bracelet as they are more rugged, I do have a gold Omega Seamaster that pretty much lives in my safe and barely sees light of day that is only brought out for special occasions.

The Reference M026.608.11.041.01 is a 600 metre certified dive watch, this is pretty heavy-duty dive watch, the de facto standard was 200 metres water resistance, this was subsequently bumped up to 300 metres. A Rolex Submariner, Omega Diver 300, TAG Heuer Aquaracer and Oris Aquis all meet 300 metres water resistance, so Mido are looking to double the prevailing industry standard. An interesting concept, does this make the Oceanstar more desirable than a Submariner or Seamaster? Probably not.

The base ETA C07.821 movement [designated Mido Calibe 80] is a 25 jewel COSC certified chronometer with an 80 hour power reserve. The silicon hairspring offers anti-magnetism properties so there are no issues accidentally magnetising this watch. So this is a solid movement? Yeah, this a a base ETA movement upgraded up to a Powermatic 80 specification with a frequency of 21,600 vph and an 80 hour power reserve so yes, this is a solid movement.

This is not really gold, it is a gold lookalike, this is PVD-treated stainless steel and not a precious metal. So what is PVD? Physical vapour deposition is a vacuum process that utilises titanium nitride that is more durable than gold plating, is corrosion resistant and up to 10 times thicker than gold plating at a fraction of the cost. So I lost interest in Mido pretty quick and really haven’t revisited the brand until the Oceanstar 600 came along and took my interest.

I do not like the term bullying when used in a workplace context, a more accurate term would be harassment as bullying is a term I relate to the school yard. However, Worksafe WA publications refer to the psychosocial behaviours as workplace bullying.

When we consider organisational behaviour factors such as power dynamics in the workplace, conflict and team dynamics – then we have a baseline to draw data from. We have a bunch of workers that have been inspired by a recalcitrant management that are supported by a number of cronies that have not met a competitive merit selection process.

In short, they are running a protection racket for a number of individuals that do meet requirements of a competent leadership team. They have been gaining all the benefits at the exclusion of the team, then there are the wannabe members who want to be part of the group. These wannabe recruits form the outer perimeter of the group running gossip and harassment activities in the hope of garnishing enough favours to work their way into the inner circle.

The manager wants to surround himself with individuals that are beholden to him, this is how he gains their support and loyalty. They know they are incompetent, they know they lack the required knowledge and skills, they know they can never be selected based on their own abilities, so they need an angle, and that angle is to undermine others to shore up the core of the group that supports their inclusion.

If this is starting to look like the initiation requirements of an outlaw bikie gang, then you would be right. There is the patch wearing members and their hierarchy, they pretty much pledge allegiance to the group with its formal rules. Then there are the nominees, these are the ones trying to get into the group, they are the ones that go out and bash people, commit crimes such as theft and sell drugs providing the standover and security requirements. Should they prove their loyalty to the gang, they may someday become a patch wearing gang member.

The dynamics of this group to a bikie gang are strikingly similar, this model that they have adapted. The five elements of group dynamics include structure, goals, interaction, interdependence and cohesiveness. The crony club has structure, there is the supreme leader and the two lieutenants, following up is the stream of wannabes who want to break into this group, this is the interaction factor. Whilst the main three stooges are well set, the goals are hazy – well, other than to enrich themselves.

For me, there is plenty to see and do on a trip to the island nation of Singapore, Bugis Street in the Bras Basah district is a pretty good example of where to go to spend a few hours.

Some people tell me there isn’t much to do in Singapore, I absolutely refute that notion. Bugis Street is close to the Waterloo Street Markets, Bencoolan Street is then a short walk to Little India. Whilst Bencoolan Street is now just a street and not an area anymore, the relevance is somewhat diminished as high-end hotels replace the cheap Chinese hostels of the area. Still, I like to wander down Bencoolan Street on occasions.

So, what is there to do in Bugis Street? Well, the street has changed over the years, but for me, the vibe is still pure. There is the nightlife, I never experienced Bugis Street in its heyday of transvestites and transsexuals of the 1950s to the 1980s that has now been cleaned up. For me, my choice of hotel is in Little India where I can step out for an inexpensive meal that is top notch hawker style. Ok, Singapore is not a full destination for me but a stopover destination where I get out and about for a day or two in transit.

I never understood the Aqua Terra, this timepiece sits within the Seamaster range and I have grown accustomed to classic styled dive watches. Whilst this timepiece is rated to 150 metres, it is not a diver, the watch is not fitted with a bezel to time underwater activities but does have a screw-in crown. This wasn’t always the case, when the Seamaster was released in 1948, it was based on the water resistant timepiece developed during the second world war for the Royal Navy. This long running series contains a number of models with further sub-models offering plenty of choice.

The Aqua Terra is really a timepiece to compete with the Rolex DateJust even if the DateJust is more of a dress watch. The 41 mm dial is a little on the larger size, 38 mm case diameters are also available for smaller wrists. The horizontal teak inspired dial pattern is growing on me, I never liked the vertical pattern – it just didn’t work. The symmetrical stainless steel case houses the 8800 co-axial movement, the smooth polished bezel adds to the clean lines.

The index markers on the dial ensure an uncluttered face with the date window moved to the 6 o’clock position, previously it was located at the 3 o’clock marker. The display caseback showcases the automatic movement that is chronometer certified and resistant to 15,000 gauss. Whilst the Aqua Terra doesn’t excite me much, I’m a diver who prefers dive timepieces, there are plenty of people who will go for the Aqua Terra. There is plenty of chatter in watch circles that the Aqua Terra is a DateJust killer, I’m not so sure, but I’m willing to bet it will certainly attract some attention.

The General Dynamics F-111C was a medium-range and tactical strike aircraft and interdictor developed by to meet Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) requirements from 1973 to 2010. An interdictor is an attack aircraft operating with the express intent of interdicting enemy military targets preventing or delaying enemy forces and supplies from reaching the battlefront.

The Australian government ordered 24 F-111Cs in 1963 to equip the RAAF with the capability to project long range influence. The variant was based on the F-111A design including longer wings and strengthened undercarriage. Due to extended technical issues, the aircraft were not delivered until 1973, a decade behind schedule. During 1979 and 1980 four of these aircraft were converted to the RF-111C reconnaissance variant. Four ex-United States Air Force (USAF) F-111As were purchased by Australia and converted to F-111C standard in 1982 to replace F-111Cs destroyed during accidents. Australia also operated 15 F-111Gs between 1993 and 2007, mainly for conversion training.

Although never required in combat, the F-111Cs gave the RAAF a powerful regional strike capability. The aircraft went through modernisation programs in the 1980s and again in the 1990s with the RAAF acquiring improved weapon systems maintaining their capability to penetrate deep into hostile airspace.

By the mid 2000s, the F-111C fleet was somewhat technologically outdated and increasingly expensive to maintain. The decision to retire the fleet was made in 2010 rather than the originally planned 2020 timeframe, even though the F-35 was a long way from being operational leaving a large capability gap. The F-111s were replaced by 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets pending delivery of F-35 Lightning IIs in development, this still hasn’t occurred.

It was Easter 2024 and I found a bottle of 2017 Fermoy chardonnay stashed away at home so I decided to bring it down for consumption over easter. For Easter Thursday, there was Brisbane v Collingwood starting in the afternoon. The 2023 were both winless and looking exposed in the 2024 season, they have failed to begin their season and are already looking irrelevant.

This was a perfect time to crack the top on the bottle and try this aged chardonnay. Whilst this is not their premium Reserve Chardonnay, I really rate this chardonnay. At 13% alcohol, this is a pretty big white wine, it is cranked right up. This vintage is aged in French oak barriques with toasted oak flavours and tight citrus and lime overtones with apricot, peach and melon. The fruit is sourced from their Wilyabrup and Osmington Road wineries in Margaret River region, so this is premium wine growing real estate and I was more than happy with my selection.

I, along with the rest of the world when I cranked my notebook computer up and logged on to the news. In Lebanon, simultaneously pagers started exploding in the hands and pockets of Hezbollah leaders. There were pagers beeping with a message from Hezbollah headquarters to gain user’s attention before blowing up in their hands.

The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani was blinded as the device blew up just as he was reading the message, the ambassador wasn’t the only person blinded, all up, around 500 Hezbollah operatives lost their sight. Other Hezbollah terrorists had their fingers and hands blown off. I feel no pity for these people, they are operatives from a terrorist organisation, for these terrorists to be injured in blasts is nothing short of ironic.

I was almost in disbelief, the audacity of the organisation who organised this coordinated attack is nothing short of remarkable. This is a plot straight out of a James Bond movie. Israel has remained quiet here, they have not come out and taken responsibility for this attack. We all immediately believe this is the work of Mossad, this is exactly what one would expect from such a highly rated intelligence agency.

The idea formation, the planning and the execution is unbelievable. Hezbollah had become aware of Israeli mobile phone tracking, they needed to secure their communications so took a step back in technology and procured old school pagers. What we are yet to learn is how Israeli intelligence was able to [presumably] able to infiltrate the supply chain to compromise the pagers. How the bombs were planted in the devices is still yet to be determined, one presumes this occurred during shipping and not manufacture.

Then a few days later, two-way radio units exploded too, this was once again unreal. Just like the initial explosions, this caught Hezbollah operatives unaware and more deaths and casualties ensured. How could they have been caught out again? This became humorous, they come as a bunch of Jew hating simpletons. I typically find racists uneducated and lacking in intelligence and empathy, so they fit the stereotype exactly as described – idiots.