Articles by Bert Hetebry

About Bert Hetebry

Bert is a retired teacher in society and environment, and history, holds a BA and Grad Dip Ed. Since retiring Bert has become an active member of his local ALP chapter, joined a local writer’s group, and started a philosophy discussion group. Bert is also part of a community art group – and does a bit of art himself – and has joined a Ukulele choir. “Life is to be lived, says Bert, “and I can honestly say that I have never experienced the contentment I feel now.”

Swings and merry-go-rounds

March 5, 2025 Bert Hetebry 11

The gilded age in America saw the rise and rise of some of the wealthiest people in the world. People such as JD Rockefeller who made his fortune establishing Standard Oil, financiers, Andrew Carnegie and […]

Antisemitism redefined

March 1, 2025 Bert Hetebry 5

There is a new definition of antisemitism. The new definition was drafted by leaders from the eight largest Australian universities in consultation with Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Ms Jillian Segal and the Jewish […]

What is most important in life?

February 26, 2025 Bert Hetebry 8

It’s an interesting question, and the answer may vary at certain times in life. I was recently asked by a 45 year old what I would have liked to have known at 45, how I […]

Privileged arrogance

February 20, 2025 Bert Hetebry 4

A young woman died in a car crash in a leafy green suburb of Perth over the weekend. She was setting off for an evening with friends and had done the safe thing, booked a […]

Headline Driving Hatred

February 15, 2025 Bert Hetebry 7

In exploring the corruption of the press, Eric Beecher, founder of the online news source, Crikey wrote The Men who Killed the News, a history of the manipulation of news by the various media moguls […]

Where should Palestinians go to make way for Gaza Trumpworld?

February 9, 2025 Bert Hetebry 7

I think it a fair question especially since Egypt and Jordan have said ‘not here’. The question arose when my nemesis gleefully posted a YouTube video; ‘Trump’s Gaza Plan Unveiled: Is This Biblical Prophesy Unfolding?’ […]

Horrorism: War seen from the victim’s point of view

February 3, 2025 Bert Hetebry 4

Words like ‘terrorism’ and ‘war’ no longer encompass the scope of contemporary violence according to Adriana Cavarero who wrote the book, Horrorism. Unlike terror or war, which is usually defined by governments, horrors refers to […]

Shhhhh… Listen. Can you hear the songlines?

January 30, 2025 Bert Hetebry 3

Bruce Chatwin published his book Songlines in 1987. From the cover notes: ‘I have a vision of the Songlines stretching across the continents and ages; that where ever man have trodden they have left a […]

Antisemitism, Racism, Religion, Xenophobia

January 23, 2025 Bert Hetebry 11

Four words which denote so much of the hatred we see in the world today. And also in Australia. But at the moment it seems that only one matters. Or at least only one which […]

Perpetuating Trauma

January 18, 2025 Bert Hetebry 4

There was some good news yesterday. A ceasefire has been called in the Israel/Gaza conflict. It capped off a disturbing week where various issues seemed to be about ongoing inter-generational traumas. Just an ordinary every […]

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