Some might say I really have gone off the planet! Yes, I've joined the scouts again since leaving school. But this time, it's "Destination Future!"

And even though the Cumberland Gang Show started in 1969 in Ryde, it celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2009 by performing in Parramatta's Riverside Theatres. More importantly, I'm in the cast!

You are invited to hear former Independent Commission Against Corruption's Director of Investigations Clive Small speak about his new book.

Mr Small was a former NSW Police Assistant Commissioner and then the ICAC's Director of Investigations. A controversial figure for many years, Mr Small created the NSW Police Force's top unit of elite detectives, called Crime Agencies, which evolved into the State Crime Command today. Among his many credits as a crimefighter are the murder of anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay, the Nugan Hand bank, and his command of the strike force that caught backpacker murderer Ivan Milat.

Clive Small is a co-author with Tom Gilling who have recently published an enthralling book entitled "Smack Express - How organised crime got hooked on drugs".

There is a saying, "Nothing in the world is free."

So even the Free Shuttle Bus in Parramatta is not free. It is paid for by the people – $1.5m from development applications related levies, and over $500,000 annually from parking meter revenue.

From such expenditure, did we really achieve value for money? Or was it a failure on the pretence that it was a Labor election promise delivered just before the local government election?

The Liberal/Independent majority agreed and also financially supported my proposal for an Annual Christmas Lights Competition for 2009. As part of the budget for the next five years, Parramatta anticipates leveraging the latent community support and hopefully unleash the pride for and celebration of Christmas through friendly competition across the neighbourhoods.

For some years now, numerous families across Australia have been displaying their own Christmas decorations on their front lawns for the public enjoyment of passers-by. So much so that this adds extra excitement to the season as creative and spiritual displays of Christmas are shown.

Australia is without doubt the best nation on the planet, that we can find humour in the open exchange of thoughts and ideas, without fear or persecution.

I thought I would share one from one of those anonymous e-mail received last week.