About Us

Welcome to Heal This Rock, a cozy spot inside an electric car that costs hundreds of dollars to recharge thanks to the most expensive electricity in the known universe.

We’re trying to outrun desertification while being globally warmed by the environmental reality that renewables are now working a side hustle job called ‘native flora and fauna destructibles’. 

We’ll talk ten feet underwater with a mouth full of marbles and let you know what we really think about overfishing of the oceans and why we should stop eating seafood today.

Around here, serious solutions get plated up with a side of skepticism and a generous splash of sarcasm sauce.

I’m Dave and this place is home to stories, ideas, commentary and satire tackling our planet’s biggest challenges through reason, reality, and the kind of humour that makes hard truths easier to swallow.

I like to keep readers guessing, often wondering, “Is this guy serious?” Sometimes, not at all.

However, when it’s homelessness, skyrocketing electricity costs, destruction of our oceans, or the way this once‑fantastic island nation is run, the jokes dry up fast. Some topics are about as funny as a fart in an elevator.

My Modus operandi is probably a bit more Modus Irreverendi (feel free to look that up).

I’m happy to lead you and the horse you rode into town on to water.  I’m also happy to hand you a brochure about this planet with a few facts, ideas and my perspective about the price of Tim Tams on Macquarie Street Sydney, but whether you drink the Dihydrogen monoxide and take notice of the brochure or not is entirely between you and your horse.

What Are We About?

As the saying goes, “Some Heal This Rock websites are better than others” — I’ll let you decide where on the scale of 1 to 10 this one ranks.

We explore the messy intersections of environment, society and governance, plus the particularly Australian flavour or version of governance.

Occasionally, we’ll detour into things I just plain make up because they make for a good story. Depending on my mood, I might even write something that sparks a few questions about stuff that matters.

In all honesty though, I do care deeply about building a healthier, better‑balanced, sustainable future but that doesn’t mean I always nail the perfect way to write about it.

Sometimes, my mix of environmentalism, conservation, custodianship, empathy, and warmth towards those doing it tough comes together pretty well and produces a half‑decent read. Other times? Your guess is as good as mine.

Although I despise politics, Australia is a funny place and by “funny” I mean as funny as doing a tinkle on an electric fence.

Yep, that’s what happens when idealism crashes head‑on into reality and it’s not wearing a helmet.  The end result is that our leaders keep taking the scenic route to disaster.

I sometimes get the feeling that ‘any day now’ every TV channel in Australia is going to cut to the MCG and every Federal, State, and Territory politician is standing there to announce, “Only joking! We got ya’s.”

They’ll apologize for letting the gag run so long and then promise to look after the country properly from now on.

Here, you’ll find somewhat‑thoughtful analysis, the occasional sharp‑edged observation through blurry eyes and ideas designed to spark water‑cooler conversation for anyone able to time‑travel back to the 1980s.

Note:  If you can go back, please take me with you.

The world’s got a plethora of problems. Australia’s got about 38 % more.

None of them will be solved by words I string together but with a bit of luck, I might get you thinking about the odd thing that need to be thought about.

One things for sure though, I’m not here to parrot the crowd or dish out hollow feel‑good slogans.

Our Approach.

Serious intent but never too serious though. We pair rigorous thinking with an appreciation for human absurdity, especially in the land down under.

Long‑term vision over quick fixes. Real solutions take time, nuance, and tough choices. They also require admitting we’ve made the odd mistake, a willingness to change, and the guts to look beyond what’s good for the party or the next election cycle. Equally important: anyone in a position of power should understand servant leadership and acting in the best interests of the country and not just be able to spell those words.

Evidence over ideology. If only we could follow the data, no matter whose reputation takes a bruising. Imagine a world where we learn from failures, turn those frowns upside down, and do better next time and with elected officials unafraid to change course when the facts demand it.

What We Think.

Rationality Rules: Data driven decisions, weighing evidence before acting, and learning from what’s gone wrong.

Sustainability: Championing ways of living that don’t bankrupt the future

Accountability: Expecting better from our leaders and ourselves, yes it takes 8.24 billion to dance a tango.

Perspective: Sometimes you have to laugh, especially here in Australia, because if you don’t laugh, you’ll probably end up crying instead.

Why “Heal This Rock?”

Because our planet needs more than thoughts, prayers, and a few recycling bins. It needs honest conversation, practical solutions, and people willing to call out the nonsense, even when it’s uncomfortable.

I’m not a fan of an environmental minister driving to a TV studio to say ‘on-air’ that we need to “do better” for the planet, when it turns out that he/she/them/they drove past three landfill rubbish sites on the way there.

I think that might be called part time environmentalism or eyes-are-painted-on-ism.

Keep an eye on the stories here, every now and then, one might actually be worth your time.

Change starts with people willing to talk, listen and imagine better.

It also starts with political leaders remembering or the first time realizing that they’ve got two eyes, two ears, and just one mouth, so they should be looking and listening four times more than talking.

Let’s keep the conversation going and give them a clearer view of what’s really happening.

All content here is offered as general commentary, basic thoughts, and personal opinion. 

For more on our scope and limits, see the Legal Disclaimer.