First work travel since 2018 today. In the meantime: two babies + one pandemic.

The Queen gave the people 70 years. In #TheQueue, the people are giving her, conservatively, 700 years. It is a reminder that many people like to give their time, when given a way to do it. What could the UK achieve if everyone was asked to give one day as a thanks to the Queen?

“Public servants are professional compromisers”: Peter Shergold Australian Public Policy Institute inaugural Oration

Over a long pandemic that is still going, Ed Yong is not here has been a hero. It is hard and constant work and I am glad he is finding time to put himself first so he can keep doing what the world needs him to do.

If you're dining in a restaurant and it doesn't look like this why are you even there

“design is easy” this is how slack decides when to send a notification

In summary: (1) Family time is limited—cherish it. (2) Friend time is limited—prioritize real ones. (3) Partner time is significant—never settle. (4) Children time is precious—be present. (5) Coworker time is significant—find energy. (6) Alone time is highest—love yourself.

Hearing Jill Rutter on RN Breakfast in the morning always such a great start to the day!

Love seeing this kind of HSC story by Lucy Carroll and @Nigelgladstone in The Sydney Morning Herald - way more work than reporting on league tables but much more meaningful! smh.com.au/national/nsw/s…

People who don't give their phone number in the four three three format are the true chaos merchants in our lives and need to be watched carefully

It’s been a wonderful year for Antone Martinho-Truswell and his book The Parrot in the Mirror: and this thoughtful piece, a perfect early Christmas present!

I’m biased but yeah, he is

I found this a helpful prompt for thinking.

Genuinely useful AI application:

The train announcer on the T2 that was at redfern at 1701 was a joy. Making the mundane enjoyable and taking great pride in her work. Thank you T2 Sydney Trains !

Just met a true superhero at LAX Airport, Natalie from our United Airlines flight 230 from Heathrow to LA - who collected our double stroller from baggage claim and delivered it to us in the immigration queue, where we were holding two sleeping kids. Amazing. Thank you Natalie!!

Best moment so far from #JMISummit23 - hearing Rose Jackson say that she thinks public servants should be able to support oppositions too. It’s gusty and important stuff.

Noteworthy too that thanks to the outstanding Aruna Sathanapally and Frances Foster-Thorpe, the NSW public service comes across at this Summit as a powerhouse of insightful women (which is at least partly true) #JMISummit23

There will be tensions and we are impatient - that can be a good thing! - says Rose Jackson at the end of a tour de force at #JMISummit23

Miss 4: I don’t need to sleep mummy, because I’m just like an electric car. Miss 2: and I don’t need to sleep mummy, because I’m just like a watermelon.