Having discovered I was granted a FaGRA (Fancy and Groovy Rabbit Award) in the New Year's list, I raced to update my CV, then sat back and awaited the congratulation messages.

The award of ‘Best old Politician' (BoP) certainly shows acronymical flair on the part of the Rabbit team.

The telegrams were not slow in coming, even if a couple of the three received may have confused me with Mr Dotcom. The Queen clearly had me mixed up with Winston and I forwarded that letter on.

I note Dotcom and Tauranga City Council both received three mentions, so despite the giddy nature of my award, it's possible to aspire to an even higher level of greatness. I pass that challenge on to whoever wins the TCC by-election.

My dream? To see our local MPs receiving awards for their environmental work, because they can make a genuine difference. I wish they would, and I wish I could.

As for the mandolin, you can hear me playing along with some BoMs (Best old Musicians) at the MMM (Mount Maunganui Market) aSaP (any Sunday after Prayers).
Welcome.

Dr Ian G. McLean, Tauranga City.