Bunnings the great unAustralian

[The Big O]

It is an absolute disgrace that Bunnings choose to open on Anzac Day, the most sacred day in Australia.
If I were not spending the day with my siblings and our families remembering our Father who spent 6 years in the trenches fighting, I would stand outside their store and protest.
Absolutely shameful.
Lionel.

[Claw Hama]

I'm with you Lionel, I went yesterday so I wouldn't have to go near a shop today. Surely shops don't have to be open everyday. Lest we forget.

[Phil Spencer]

It is an absolute disgrace that Bunnings choose to open on Anzac Day, the most sacred day in Australia.
If I were not spending the day with my siblings and our families remembering our Father who spent 6 years in the trenches fighting, I would stand outside their store and protest.
Absolutely shameful.
Lionel.

Unfortunately Lionel, that's big business for you, the worship of money and how to get more of it. The Directors would say that they are only using every opportunity to maximise the returns for the share holders, who are the share holders? It is the every day Australian through their superannuation funds.

So at the end of the day Lionel it is us the man in the street that wants them open, or that's what the Directors would have us believe.

I agree it is absolutely shameful.

Phil

[Big Shed]

Unfortunately Lionel, that's big business for you, the worship of money and how to get more of it. The Directors would say that they are only using every opportunity to maximise the returns for the share holders, who are the share holders? It is the every day Australian through their superannuation funds.

So at the end of the day Lionel it is us the man in the street that wants them open, or that's what the Directors would have us believe.

I agree it is absolutely shameful.

Phil

So if that every day Australian doesn't bother shopping at Bunnings, or any other store that is open on this day, they won't open in the future will they.

This is not just a decision for the directors, it is a decision we as individuals can make.

[Waldo]

What about Easter and Christmas? They're more important on my calendar.

[BobL]

With all respect I disagree. I am one of those difficult people who refuse to be bullied into being told what and when to think or remember by anyone - that's what being Australian really is. Just because you go to Bunnings on Anzac day doesn't mean you care deeply about an issue. Same reason I have no qualms about going to Bunnings on Sundays and I don't believe in birthdays, Christmas or Australia Day. Organized mass remembrance of anything is to me not that different than organized mass religion - something I have limited personal respect for. I am more than happy for others to do it, but doesn't that mean we should all do it. Just because you remember en masse doesn't make it any better or worse than a individual that remembers it in other ways.

I have the greatest respect and admiration for the Aussie soldier and have read widely on the subject. My personal day of remembrance for the Aussie fallen and guts and determination is Nov 2 when the chocos retook Kokoda - these guys had a direct impact on the security of Australia against a vastly superior force in conditions that everyone is well aware of. I'd like to see us make a bit more of a fuss about this day than we do.

BTW - I do have something personal to remember. I have 3 great uncles killed in WWI - they were all under 20 and in the cavalry and were surrounded and driven into a swamp along with hundreds of other cavalrymen. That night there was a deep snap freeze and they were all frozen to death. The next morning the enemy artillery opened up and flattened the swamp, shattering frozen trees, bodies, horses, and mud, and moved on - no one went to tidy up or retrieve the bodies - the swamp grew back, no one even knows where it is or even when exactly it was - it is somewhere in eastern Europe on the Russian front. My uncles weren't German they were Italian (Italy was fighting for the Allies in WWI) but because they happened to be living on the Austro Hungarian side of the border they were drafted into the Austrian army. The Austro-Hungarian generals knowing full well my great uncles would not fight their Italian brothers just across the border they were sent to the Russian front where they were used as cannon fodder by the Germans - a bit like the Aussies on the western front.

[Big Shed]

Bob, I wasn't arguing whether Bunnings should or should not open on Anzac Day.

I was addressing the point made that somehow the directors are "un-Australian" (whatever that means) by opening on Anzac Day.

My point was that it takes 2 to tango and if the customer goes there on Anzac Day the store will continue to open on Anzac Day.

Your point about mass-anything is a very valid one.

[Waldo]

Just because you go to Bunnings on Anzac day doesn't mean you care deeply about an issue.

Very well written.

May I add, we all remember things in different ways. Am I un-Australian that I don't stop for Anzac Day or Remberence Day? Should've seen me the other night watching Compass about a bloke who did a stained glass window to remember those in Borneo. I'll be the same again tonight most likely as I watch The Guns of August on ABC2.

We all do things differently.

[BobL]

Bob, I wasn't arguing whether Bunnings should or should not open on Anzac Day.

I was addressing the point made that somehow the directors are "un-Australian" (whatever that means) by opening on Anzac Day.

I would be happier if every director of every company in Australia took a good hard look at how they and their company operates in general (not just ANZAC day) and about what it means to be Australian. Like, paying your taxes, treating their workers and customers with respect, not hiding products and ads behind Aussie flags, providing a bit of good old fashioned service (we're getting to be really crap at this), and thinking a bit more long term about what they do.

If they looked at Anzac day trading in all seriousness and could honestly say they were not being un-australian I would respect their right to trade even all day. I'm not one that normally goes into bat for the big green hardware store but I think their half day option is a fair one - they pay respect in the morning and let those that need to get on with their day in the afternoon.

BTW I do have another Aussie WWII connection. FIL was in Bouganville - UXB disposal - a really gutsy fella and one of the most patient woodworkers and restorers I ever met. He would rarely talk about it and never went to any Anzac day parades.

[poulso]

I drove past bunnings in brisbane (near strathpine)
not sure exact suburb i'm not from here anyway it wasn't open.

[Priemsy]

Having been there and done that, I'd sooner try to forget but can't, cause everyone keeps reminding me.

[warrick]

I drove past bunnings in brisbane (near strathpine)
not sure exact suburb I'm not from here anyway it wasn't open.

They are all closed until midday or 1:00pm except Queensland which are closed all day

Warrick

[Sturdee]

Whilst I will not in any circumstance shop on Anzac day, Christmas day, Boxing day and Easter sunday or monday I don't think you can call a store, Bunnings amongst others, that is open un australian.

Instead blame the government that legislated for them to be open. When I first came here they were not allowed to trade on these days. Since then the respective state governments altered the law.

Those politicians that voted to change it were un Australian. They should have been held accountable and shot for their actions. Those un australian representatives of the people.

Now the law has been changed you can't really blame the stores, but I will boycott them on these days as a silent protest. Hopefullyt more will do this and the stores will learn that it is wiser not to open.


Peter.

[AUSSIE]

Bob, I wasn't arguing whether Bunnings should or should not open on Anzac Day.

I was addressing the point made that somehow the directors are "un-Australian" (whatever that means) by opening on Anzac Day.

My point was that it takes 2 to tango and if the customer goes there on Anzac Day the store will continue to open on Anzac Day.

Your point about mass-anything is a very valid one.

A bit off the point BUT.People going crook about Bunnys and other businesses making money on Anzac day
I live very close to a bowling club.All nice and quiet this morning.A bit after 12.00 cars were coming from everywhere.Out jump the white ants and soon playing Bowls.
Is it Ok for the old farts to play bowls and the CLUB making money,And not the rest of us getting something WE want at a hardware shop and finish that job at home?

[Waldo]

Instead blame the government that legislated for them to be open. When I first came here they were not allowed to trade on these days. Since then the respective state governments altered the law.

Always the voice of reason.