Redfern rainbows

Exploring some of my old haunts in Sydney's Inner West today, I was struck by the presence of so many rainbow flags and 'Vote Yes' signs around the place.

The referendum, sorry, plebiscite, sorry, non-binding postal survey, on same-sex marriage is underway, and the suburbs of Redfern, Newtown, and Marrickville would have to be Yes Central.

I'd not had strong views about this until the ultra-conservatives got in on the act, and did their usual thing of twisting, turning, and manipulating the decision-making process into a form that would maximise the chance of usurping the public's well-documented overwhelming approval of the reform. They're assuming that younger voters, the strongest 'yes' supporters, will be unlikely to figure out how to use the postal service, especially if it's an uncharacteristically non-compulsory vote.

It's rather reminiscent of how then Prime Minister John Howard managed to subvert the push for a republic 20 years ago, by framing the referendum question in a form of words that successfully divided the republicans and reversed the expected outcome.

So if the ultra-conservatives are against allowing same-sex marriage, I guess I'm for allowing it. Results aren't due for another month. My prediction is there will be a majority 'Yes' vote, but it will be close enough that the rabid naysayers in Federal Parliament will say the majority isn't clear enough, and they'll have to vote no in parliament anyway.

Sydney's best running circuit: the Bay Run

The Iron Cove 'Bay Run' is a seven kilometre circuit for runners, walkers and cyclists, which circumnavigates the pocket of Sydney Harbour called Iron Cove, passing through bits of the Inner West suburbs of Leichhardt, Haberfield, Drummoyne, Five Dock, and Lilyfield.

It's very scenic, and very popular. When I lived nearby I used to run, shuffle and walk my way around it in typically 36 to 40 minutes. I imagine the more competitive types would aim for under 30 minutes. According to my usual rule of thumb, whereby anything I do can be done in half the time by someone, somewhere, there must be those who do it in about 20. 

You pass by several other shrines to physical fitness: soccer fields, swimming pools, rowing clubs. And then there's the dog park, with its Cafe Bones, where the trendy Leichhardt canines feast on 'pupaccinos' and gourmet dog biscuits.