Written by

Peter Stanhope

‘Cars, camping and Shakespeare made Uncle Don my favourite’

This community writer says there are some things you should never do when you own a caravan. Source: Getty.

‘Why does something as simple as reversing the caravan always result in a row?’

‘Why does something as simple as reversing the caravan always result in a row?’

“You can come back now. Watch that car… There’s another car coming the other way. I said stop! STOP!"

Remember when loved ones would enjoy good conversation over dinner? Source: Getty.

‘Escaping the TV: The night I discovered a fascinating woman in my living room’

‘Escaping the TV: The night I discovered a fascinating woman in my living room’

"I began to look around the lounge room ... My gaze fell upon a fascinating woman sitting on a similar armchair to mine. She looked similar to a younger woman in some of the photos I mentioned."

Peter was spending the day in front of the 'predictably boring' television when he decided to have a little fun with a telemarketer. Source: Stock Photo/Getty Images

‘Don’t hang up! How I had a little fun with a telemarketing cold caller’

‘Don’t hang up! How I had a little fun with a telemarketing cold caller’

"The script these callers follow is designed to keep the householder saying yes, in the hope that the 'victim' will continue to say yes."

Source: Getty Images

‘How to give your cat a bath and survive!’

‘How to give your cat a bath and survive!’

"This moggie hated water. She would not even walk on grass that had a mild dew on it."

Peter writes his views about politics and the bushfires that devastated much of Australia during the summer. Source: Getty Images

‘Smoky Bear and his trio of singers: A political allegory’

‘Smoky Bear and his trio of singers: A political allegory’

"Most people think their forebears are their ancestors, but these four bears were not. They were koalas."

Peter found a unique way to bridge the gap between grandparent and grandchildren. Source: Getty Images

‘My generation-bridging, boredom buster for grandparents and grandkids’

‘My generation-bridging, boredom buster for grandparents and grandkids’

"The kids leaned over the edge, watching the myriads worms going about their business, if somewhat disturbed by the light."

Put down your phones, turn off the television and engage with the world and the people around you, encourages Peter. Source: Getty Images

‘The unexpected encounter I had while waiting in line’

‘The unexpected encounter I had while waiting in line’

"His voice was familiar, and I half remembered a conversation I'd had with him years ago, about his time working as a used car salesman."

According to figures from Homelessness Australia, on any given night in Australia 1 in 200 people are homeless. Source: Getty Images

‘Sleeping rough: What will it take to solve Australia’s homelessness problem?’

‘Sleeping rough: What will it take to solve Australia’s homelessness problem?’

"What is needed is a government with compassion in its soul, instead of a focus only on the bottom line."

Peter writes about his encounter with a guide dog. Source: Getty Images

Guide dogs: Inspirational heroes for the visually impaired

Guide dogs: Inspirational heroes for the visually impaired

This is a true story. Seeing-eye dogs are much sought-after when they have finished their life’s work, as they are...

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