While we are reminded biannually that national awards from Canberra are too numerous and often given unpopularly to the wrong recipients, as many questioned awards going to ex-politicians yesterday, congratulations to occasional letter writer Garry Dalrymple for his perfect parody (“Arise, Sir Donald” Letters, 27/1). Expounding a literary gold chest of epic Australia Day award failures, Garry is not faint hearted as he conjures up superlative accolades for the US President and hypothesises on the political benefits to be gained. Sadly, as Sir Winston Churchill found, he had to surrender his dual US passport before he could earn a knighthood at home. Those colonial rebels banned knighthoods for their citizens quite early in their history, so Garry must leave untouched Tony Abbott’s hypothetical draw of imperial freebies for another time. A big congratulations and “best letter of the day” to Garry for giving us all a good laugh, becoming at least one award that is richly deserved this week. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 28Jan2026
Arise, Sir Donald
Once more, in the Australia Day honours, as an occasional “letters to the editor” writer, my many contributions to our distinctive Australian civilisation have been passed over. I am comforted by the thought that at least I will not have to hand over any well-deserved Australia Day “gong” that I am due to the recognition needy US President Donald “Gold Fingers” Trump. I mean, wouldn’t it be a great idea for AUKUS and all that for Albo to grant the Donald one of those Tony Abbott Australian knighthoods? There must still be a full drawer of them somewhere in Canberra and it might speed our new US ambassador Moriarty’s first meeting with the president, if it could be combined with a presentation of bling. If First Nations Australians can put up with “Invasion Day” then surely Australian monarchists can put up with Donald’s Australian knighthood? Garry P Dalrymple, Earlwood 27Jan2026