But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.

Apologies for the late posting today, but I was otherwise occupied out at Hobart’s TECHNOPARK with the bigwigs from HQ, looking to solve all of the problems in our small part of the world. Unsurprisingly, my easy-going and gregarious nature (coupled with the tendency towards being an opinionated know-it-all) ensured that I was chosen as spokesperson for a number of the ‘breakout’ groups. This is just what you want when you’re on famine rations of sleep due to a new baby. I’d like to think that I battled manfully through the pain.

However, I do not want to talk about that this evening. I want to talk about the TECHNOPARK. I know what you must be thinking, but no, the TECHNOPARK is not some sort of supersized converted cattle shed cramming in the kids and pumping in equal parts bitchin’ beats, strobe lights and a cocktail of ketamine, ecstasy, methamphetamine laced with generous dosages of Viagra. No that’s not what the TECHNOPARK is about. [That said, a touch of this may have livened up proceedings somewhat.]

NO. TECHNOPARK is more a kind of gated community for boffins, eggheads, experts and skilled practitioners across the field. Think of it as an intelligence hub for high falutin’ ideas and creative responses to complex problems. It is a place for forward planning, future proofing, skilling up, problem solving, naming up, action items, blue-sky thinking, taking ownership, core competencies, strengthening linkages, best practices, deepening engagement, broadening directions, critical masses, narrowing focus, establishing pathways, integrating services, unpacking ideas, gaining traction, quality assurance, evidence based practice, decentralising knowledge bases, empowering from below and leadership from above. Most of all, it is about thinking the unthinkable.

I am sure that you can imagine how that went. That said, I did enjoy my time at TECHNOPARK tremendously. Located in Hobart’s norther suburbs, on a beautiful stretch of the Derwent River, it features the astonishing juxtaposition of untainted wilderness on the magnificent eastern shore (where I live), and the rugged heavy industrial moonscapes of the western shore (where they live). Environment, industry and right in the middle you have TECHNOPARK: the future, and the hope for all of Tasmania’s children. Here we are solving all the problems of the world (with tea, coffee and light refreshments).

It was a very empowering experience.