Written by

John Reid

‘Bandy legs: A bit of a chuckle and a reminder to be kind to yourself’

John and his wife spent some time running the hotel, and he has many stories to share. Source: John Reid

‘Jubilee Bakery: Tales from one of my favourite buildings in Launceston’

‘Jubilee Bakery: Tales from one of my favourite buildings in Launceston’

"We loved the old place and its history. We had one of the best times of our lives while there, and we had a ball."

John says he can still get into the community's shed to do work, but has warned visitors about social distancing requirements. Source: Getty Images

‘Coronavirus: Precautions, separation and a personal perspective on village life’

‘Coronavirus: Precautions, separation and a personal perspective on village life’

"I lead (for the foreseeable future, led) an active life outside the property and use it in great part as a place to eat and to sleep."

Old Vegemite advertising on display during the 90th anniversary celebrations in 2013. Source: Getty Images

‘Celebrating the axle grease we know and love as Vegemite’

‘Celebrating the axle grease we know and love as Vegemite’

"In all their various sizes, the number of jars of Vegemite sold every year is effectively one jar for every Australian."

John writes about the demise of Holden following General Motor's announcement on February 17. Source: Getty Images

‘The demise of an icon: How I feel about Holden disappearing from our roads’

‘The demise of an icon: How I feel about Holden disappearing from our roads’

"The writing’s been on the wall since government subsidy to maintain car production in Australia came to an end."

John writes about how his family established themselves in Tasmania more than 180 years ago. Source: Getty Images

Dangers and pride: ‘The history of my family’s establishment in the 1840s’

Dangers and pride: ‘The history of my family’s establishment in the 1840s’

"In both heart and mind, I continue to rejoice in the knowledge of the incredible effort put in by those people 180 years ago ..."

Eight-year-old Robert had been left in charge of the care of his 2.5-year-old half-brother Alick. Source: Getty Images

‘True crime: My granny’s story of a murder most foul’

‘True crime: My granny’s story of a murder most foul’

"When asked, Robert said, 'A hyena took him ... while we were coming through the bush'."

For a while, John ran a motel and there are a few stories that still tickle the funny bone. Source: Getty Images

‘It’s hard to forget these funny stories from my days running a motel’

‘It’s hard to forget these funny stories from my days running a motel’

" I found them a minute later almost literally rolling on the floor in laughter, too helpless to get out of the spray of water!"

It wasn't the retirement they had planned for, but John says there was no time for doom and gloom. Source: Getty Images

‘Our retirement plans were put on hold when I became my wife’s carer’

‘Our retirement plans were put on hold when I became my wife’s carer’

"It was something that needed no thought, the cessation of travel plans; her care was a necessity, so it was done."

Following a recent incident with a man vaping on business premises, this writer was left scratching his head. Source: Getty Images

‘Double standards: Why do we object to smoking in public, but not vaping?’

‘Double standards: Why do we object to smoking in public, but not vaping?’

"Surely, though, any right minded person would consider it effectively the same for vaping as for smoking?"

About John Reid

Retired and widowed, I fill my time reading, writing, photographing, driving, volunteering and keeping busy in my community.

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