EDITOR'S NOTE

I am writing this note with a mixture of feelings. On the one hand I am sentimental that this is the last of our printed magazine for some time: On the other hand I am elated about new opportunities on the horizon as we develop This Month into an online E-Zine by April.

We have also ventured into the health industry with the launch of our new Elektra Magnesium mineral bath flakes, in response to a growing demand for a more affordable form of magnesium, the most important mineral to our wellbeing. Our soils and food supply are low in magnesium, yet every time we have stress our body consumes even more of the stuff. You can see how many people would be deficient! www.elektralife.com

Moving on from the ‘calming' mineral, I remember John Lennon preaching, “Make love, not war,” when he was having his anti-war protest ‘love-in' marathons in bed (a great idea for Valentine's Month). Just as he used his voice with a message from the heart to come together in consciousness, so does author David Icke in our feature article.

Gold Coasters by and large are pretty good at this kind of philosophy. We grow up with it in our service to others that visit from all over the world. Another great attribute of Gold Coasters is that we have chosen to live here because we seek a more natural lifestyle - away from the pollution, congestion, stress... and the suits! (Give me shorts and open-necked floral shirts any day). Those that have been here ten, twenty years or more will have realised that it's not an easy task to preserve such a precious environment and lifestyle. But if you love something you have to nurture it.

The looming Queensland election is a unique opportunity to make your voice heard now that so many of our GC Council's powers have been passed over to The State. No longer can you knock on your local councillor's door and ask them to keep the industrial wastes, such as sodium silicofluoride or recycled sewage, out of our water. If you want a healthy environment make sure to ask your election candidates their position on such subjects - and vote for what you want... not for a party that tells you what's good for you and doesn't believe in freedom of choice. After all, if you want to inject bo tulinum tox in into your body then go right ahead, but please don't dose my water with medication.

My wish list for the future would include scrapping parliament all together, and replacing this polarised adversarial 2-party dominated structure with a round building and circular rows for all the ‘Independents' who really represent their communities. There would be a centre stage where information from all sides, and from experts, would be presented - and we would learn to listen and cooperate for the greater benefit of all. Maybe, just maybe, our youngsters are listening.

Stay safe and well in 2009. Remember the words of Desiderata, “In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.”