It’s labour day long weekend (I love how most public holidays fall on Mondays in this country!).

“Labour Day” conjures up a few things in my mind – to my wife it probably brings back memories of a 14-hour labour for our first born, to me that too, but also there are images of Red Square in Moscow and those Soviet day march pasts, with ageing rugged up Communistas waving to the frozen masses below behind grey slate walls.  That’s May Day I suppose?

Labour Day in Western Australia is the first Monday in March, and is supposed to celebrate the drive for the 8-hour working day (8 hours work, 8 hours recreation, 8 hours sleep). Which reminds me of something someone wiser than me once said: “your life is like a 3-legged stool. One leg is for work, one leg is for your family & friends, and the third leg is yourself. If any one leg is neglected, the whole stool topples over.” So have a balanced life – time for yourself, time for your family/friends, and time for work.

Amen. And on this labour day, may I say “Oop the workers!”

Image: from Labour of Love

About the author

20+ years in Perth’s business, tech, media and startup sectors, from founder through to exit, as CEO, mentor, advisor / investor, and in federal and state government. Originally an economics teacher from the UK, working in Singapore before arriving in Perth in 1997 to do an MBA at UWA. Graduating as top student in 1999, Charlie co-founded aussiehome.com, running it for 10+ years before selling to REIWA, to run reiwa.com. In 2013, moved to Business News, became CEO, then worked on the Australian government’s Accelerating Commercialisation program. In 2021, helped set up and launch The Property Tribune, and was awarded the Pearcey WA Entrepreneur of the Year (at the 30th Incite Awards). In 2022, he became Director Innovation, running the 'New Industries Fund' at the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI).

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2 Responses
  1. Debbie Reagan

    Forty years ago my first born was conceived on Labour Day. Don’t ask how I remember, I just do. One of my greatest achievements.

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