This also results in having our priorities completely topsy-turvy, especially by the media and our political leaders, both state and federal.

A case in point is the nine-year-old who refused to stand for the singing of the national anthem. This totally unimportant matter should have died a natural death at the school. But no, the media relished it and blew it up to a matter of national importance, a juicy thing to stir up people's emotions and hatred.

And so also Ray Goodlass could not resist to put in his two bobs worth and your fuel on the fire of controversy and friction. And all that while the little happening itself is of such insignificant importance. All of you, journalists, commentators, politicians, use your discernment and common sense and know where your priorities lie.

I have heard so many stories from mums of how they sent happy, open, interested children to school only to have them soon turn into unhappy, quiet children after their experiences at school. 

That tells me we must be doing something wrong.  

As an intelligent species we should be trying to bring out the best in us all and not have to organise our society around coping with bullies. 

This behaviour is learned so surely we can learn to treat each other in a more productive and mutually beneficial way.

My wife and I were travelling on the Hume Highway upon returning from Melbourne earlier this week, when an unbelievable incident occurred. We were travelling approximately 110kms an hour, cruise control set on 112km (allowing for the tolerance) and approaching a B-Double to overtake, we were in the right hand lane. I saw in my rear vision mirror a ute of some sorts approaching us pretty quickly, we stayed in the right hand lane as we were only a few car lengths from passing the truck.

The ute went into the left hand lane, and then proceeded to speed up and go in front of us with only, at the most, two car lengths between the right hand rear of the truck and our car, what moronic behaviour. At this speed any mis-judgement would have been catastrophic.

No doubt this driver has spent its required number of hours during his "L" period and then sat the necessary tests. I have always held the view of learner drivers should have quality teaching not quantity (150 hours)  in their practical teachings.

Quite obviously, this moronic behaviour clearly displayed that this driver is very short of any clear knowledge of the dangers of Highway driving. It's not always the state of the roads that needs improving, driving behaviour also needs to be improved.