Coral Button of North Epping, an elderly widow, confesses to having a mildly romantic dream about Jim Chalmers, the Treasurer. She is unsure if it was his looks or his fiscal policy that caused the dream but insists that he has “IT.” On the other hand, Tony Hughes of Varsity Lakes is less enthusiastic about another government official, Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock, who complained about the high cost of filling up her car. He jokingly wonders if she was driving a Tesla. Craig Lilienthal of Wollstonecraft shares a humorous anecdote about his wife receiving parking fines despite paying for parking using a credit card, leading him to question if parking meters have a built-in sense of humor.
Jim Pollitt of Wahroonga humorously suggests that the editor has been channeling P.G. Wodehouse in the reporting of certain stories. Lance Rainey of Rushforth recounts a prank involving metric conversions of surnames and inventing a “metric day” with units such as “mours,” “menutes,” and “meconds,” which some people found believable. Roger Epps of Armidale mentions the disappointment of some individuals when metric time was left out of the conversion discussion, wondering if weekends would remain two days or become long weekends. John Kratovil of Randwick sees the introduction of metric time as a missed opportunity for Australia and suggests the possibility of introducing 10-hour clocks and watches.
Overall, the column features various lighthearted and witty anecdotes from readers, poking fun at government officials, parking meters, and the concept of metric time. The stories range from dreamy fantasies about politicians to clever pranks involving metric conversions, showcasing the playful and humorous side of the readers. While some express skepticism about the feasibility of metric time, others see it as a chance for innovation and market dominance. The diverse range of submissions highlights the creativity and wit of the readers, adding a humorous twist to everyday experiences and current events.
