No, you're not.

DF.

PPRune needs a "Like" button!

Thanks for the laugh Horatio :ok:

Isn't their professional mantra to report the facts accurately?

Actually. They do not spend as much time as they should. In my reply here, I have taken some time and effort to spell each word correctly. From my reading of various newspaper articles, Journalists do not pay that much attention to basic spelling and grammar.

Journo's only want a byline.

And he should. I said it in another thread, the whole industry needs to throw a tantrum, but it won't. Its ATC, PILOTS/OPERATORS, MAINTAINERS AGAINST EACH OTHER, WHILST CASA THROWS FUEL ON THE FIRE.


Probable doing the same thing as the Gliding Federation....at least gliders are VH and outside CASA's jurisdiction.

Congratulations Dick. You really do deserve your award.

In the mid to late 70s I would go into your store in Parramatta, Sydney and buy all sorts of little electronic components and bits & pieces. I made many of the kits you sold (my parents found it very disturbing coming into my dark bedroom only to be blasted by one of your disco strobe lights. Ha!) and I learnt much about how stuff worked from all that you sold. As a young nerdy teen I'd pour over your catalogue and plan & scheme the next 'amazing' thing I'd build!

Then when I was older I just loved following you on your solo helicopter flight around world (still such an amazing thing to have done and I get a kick out of seeing VH-DIK at the Powerhouse Museum!). And part of my interest in you and your flying inspired me to take up an interest in aviation too and get my fixed wing private licence (had a go in an R22 once but decided it wasn't for me).

I met you once in the early 1980s at the Bathurst 1000 car race. I was there in the main building working for a computer company that managed the scoring system on behalf of Channel 7. I remember seeing your jet ranger sitting out in the middle of the field with the cars screaming past it. You stood there next to Bob Hawke and I stood there next to the both of you as we watched the final stages of the race.

And sometime in the 90s I emailed you to ask for advice about a business issue I was having and you emailed me back with a constructive reply; I really appreciated that!

I remember being amazed at how you started Australian Geographic magazine and then the retail shops. In an interview about it you mentioned how you just rolled up to the proprietor of National Geographic in the U.S. and asked him if he could give you some help to start a magazine in Australia! (and I've used this initiative 'just plain old asking for help' too in my life to good effect).

And I've been a Dick Smith Foods customer on some lines for a while too, even though your products are so badly placed by Coles and Woolworths these days (they're almost hidden).

And that's probably what so many of us admire (even though we don't always agree with all your views) the genuineness and down-to-earth nature. It's true-blue and classically Australian in terms of 'don't hold back' and 'tell it like it is'.

I too think it would be unfortunate for you to head into the political arena. You certainly will get many votes but you'll be treated like you're an ignoramus who's out of touch too. The modern pollie is a media tart (they have to be) and a sophisticated spin doctor that spends 99% of their mental energies tweaking their image/message/platform whilst combating and outmanoeuvering the opposition (who're busy playing the same game). It's oh-so-wearing to watch. I think you'd give it a good run but will you get anywhere in that cesspit of malevolence? Very hard to say and it will certainly cost you your current ease and ability to get coverage (you'll probably get more coverage but the 'rules' on when you'll be consulted or referred to will change forever).

You have a lot of good ideas and a lot of common sense. I'll keep interested; whatever path you take as I'm sure you'll continue to add value.

Congratulations again and all the best for you and your family.

Dick Smith is to aviation as Steve Irwin is/was to his Wildlife Warrior Foundation. Dick has the same enthusiasm as Steve did when they talk about their respective passions.

I remember reading an article about when Dick was installing car radios and the manager of his second store stole a massive amount of money at the time from him. Instead of going into bankruptcy, Dick pulled finger even harder to pay those that the money was supposed to go to. Dick Smith a Gentleman with integrity and principle. Like him or not you do have to respect his incredible accomplishments especially to aviation.

My sincerest congratulations Mr Smith; a well deserved honour.

Last thing I want to do is go into politics. But what do you do when Mr Abbott and Mr Truss get voted in on a policy of removing red tape and unnecessary costs and then allow CASA and AsA to do the opposite.

I see the General Aviation Industry in Australia being destroyed .

Imagine a fire station at Ballina with 17 staff and a$12 m building and not even a Unicom to reduce the chance of an accident in the first place!

And every cent of this cost comes out of our industry as well as a profit percentage to the Government .

In the USA , Canada and NZ the fire stations are run by the airport with everyone multi skilled- cost is about 50% of our cost. That was the Coalition policy 10 years ago but now forgotten.

Part 61 was not needed to address any known safety problem.

I started the Regulatoty Reform Program with Ron Cooper in 1990 with one instruction- remove every unnecesary cost. The opposite is now happening .

It is a nightmare. Any other suggestions on how I can assist our industry?

Well, since you asked…

If you want to bring about aviation changes by threatening to run against Mr Abbott in his seat, please stop saying that the last thing you want to do is go into politics. Kinda takes a bit of the edge off the threat, if you know what I mean.

Also, before you name and shame us folks who have taxable incomes above $1million but claim no deductions for charity, could you please advise how one claims tax deductions for:
- doing Angel Flights
- cooking and cleaning at charity kitchens
- donations that we want to remain anonymous?

Also, could you advise how claiming a tax deduction for charitable works contributes to society? By not claiming the deduction, doesn’t that mean I pay more tax and therefore leave more money in the public purse to spend on public services?

By the way: genuine congratulations for the Aust Day award. But just remember what happened to the Manhatto Indians and why.

Leady. But it's the truth. I don't want to go into politics but will if that's the only way I can assist the industry I love - I will!

And thanks everyone for your positive messages. Most appreciated.

Sincerest congratulations Dick. A well deserved recognition for your numerous activities - particularly those related to aviation.

Dick, please do not enter politics. You'll squander the huge 'street cred' bank that has taken so many years to accumulate. You can do so much more by influencing from outside of the Canberra scrum.

cheers,

Dick,

Lead Balloon raises an interesting point. Like him, I donate my most valuable resource to charitable pursuits which is my time. I know that you do too. I don't seek any recognition as the pleasure is all mine. I love what I do. It's true that giving is far better than receiving. I choose to lead a simple unmaterialistic lifestyle. So my question to you is this: Do you really claim your very worthy charitable donations against your taxable income?


My congratulations on your award.

Who cares if Dick-meister claims a tax deduction? Are you guys serious? What do you reckon he does with his tax return? Maybe that's going to charity. Australians are as tight as a fishes ar$ehole at 200 metres.

I doubt Dicks reputation will be damaged one iota if he's a reluctant, one issue politician. Have a look at the swill that's representing you now.

Since you asked
 

Become the DAS :ok:

Because 'the Dick-meister' presumes publicly to criticise people with taxable incomes over $1 million who do not claim tax deductions for donations to charity. One quote of many:The 'Dick-meister' implies that because people don't claim these kinds of deductions, they aren't doing anything for charity.

Perhaps some of these people don't need or want the world to know about their charitable works?

Perhaps some of these people find it very difficult to reconcile the true altruism of giving with the economic rationalism of claiming tax deductions?

Perhaps.

Still, I'm hoping Dick gives them merry hell about the destruction of GA, sustainable population etc.

Lead. I hope you are correct .

Unfortunately the well known charities tell me they never get substantial donations anonymously so I think it is unlikely you are correct .

Giving by the wealthy is simply an obligation so why keep secret.

I'll back Dick on this. Australians with a taxable income of over 1 million dollars are the stingiest, tightest group of all the developed economies. Conversely, Australians are the best donaters of their time to charitable causes out of the developed economies. How about '1 million taxable incomers' leave donating their time to Australians that haven't got a spare dollar to donate.

Australians that need help don't need some wealthy tightarse, slapping themself on the back, congratulating themself at how generous they are with their 'such valuable time' cooking them a snag at a soup kitchen, that can be left to someone who's time rich and money poor.

As to this:

How many of this type do you reckon exist in Australia?

The late Kerry Packer was one.

http://www.smilies.our-local.co.uk/i.../scratchhd.gif
Bloggs scratches head....

Pinky, so there's one bloke?

The late Kerry also paid as little tax as possible, I remember him in front of a Senate inquiry? on the TV.
He did do a lot for many charities though, including paying for transplant organs to be flown where needed and the famous Packer-Whacker for Ambulances.:ok:
I doubt if James is the same.

I've no idea, but nor do you and Dick.

What I do know is that it's probably counter-productive to Dick's cause to cast aspersions on their character.