27 years ago today (April 28) I was at home doing my homework and watching the Footy (Essendon were playing, I think maybe Melbourne), when the commentators spoke of breaking news of a shooting in Port Arthur. From there I remember helicopters flying for the rest of the afternoon around Hobart. Hobart was/is a quiet town you don’t normally see or hear helicopters.

I was due to play water polo that night and had to pick up a team mate on the way as their Dad was a grief counsellor and was heading down to Port Arthur.

As the news unfolded the true extent of the tragedy was revealed. I did not know anyone directly who was killed that day but as anyone from a smaller city knows, you know friends of friends and names ring a bell.

The one good thing to come out of that day is our country’s gun laws, but don’t credit Howard too much for them as prior to Port Arthur he always voted against any form of firearm restrictions.

As for the evil creature who did this (I won’t name them) I remember him as the guy who used to catch my school bus who grew up (physically not mentally) to perpetrate a crime that broke a Nation’s heart.

Take a moment today to reflect, there’s a lot of sadness and evil in the world but also a lot of good.