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. :shrug:

[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. :2tsup:

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? :no: 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. :2tsup:

[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. :2tsup:

[Gaza]

at least the government made them not open until 1pm in NSW.

[BobL]

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?

Yeah but, but bowls is a sport, and that's OK because that is "Australian" :wink:

[corbs]

Depending on what time they opened affects my opinion. If they opened after 12 then I don't really have an issue with it. Locally, the supermarket, fish & chip shop, galleries, land sales office and others all opened at 1300. I saw people from all these businesses at either dawn service or the main march. Respects were paid but not everyone plays two up and drinks rum all day:rolleyes:. If they opened normal hour's then my opinion alters significantly.

[Sturdee]

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

I used to work for a private golf club. The Anzac day tradition was:

Strictly no play before 1.00pm, any member disobeying that direction was hauled before the committee and had their membership suspended for a month. I know it happened.

The club made no money on that day as the bar trade did not even cover the additional penalty rates for the staff working. Also the club made a donation to the local RSL equal to the total trade and comp fees received on that day so financially it was a dead loss.

But it satisfied the club's desire to do its civic duty as well as its obligations to its members. Remember the older members were mainly exservicemen who established this tradition.

I knew quite a few clubs who did the same so don't assume that the old folks and their sporting clubs are making money on Anzac day.


Peter.

[Master Splinter]

A store opening (or not) on any particular day should be at the discretion of its management and workers; if there are enough people willing to work and shop on that day - be it ANZAC, Christmas, Easter, Chinese New Year, Mouloud, Ganesh Chathurthi or Bathurst 500 - then let them do what they want. Not being retired, my retail therapy times are already constrained by the demands of work and children; two otherwise useful shopping days are already off the calendar because of weird religious festivals involving zombies, so I'd really prefer not to add any more to the list.

[Claw Hama]

As long as workers are not forced to work on public holidays and weekends I think it's fine for them to open and as said above after 12.00 or 1.00 once respects have been paid. But from what I have heard a lot of people get coerced into working public holidays. Once everyone could have Saturday and Sunday off to spend time with there familys but over the years this time has been eroded away and as a consiquence a lot of familys have suffered. How many familys these days sit down for a Sunday baked dinner with the whole family any more? Some but nowhere like the numbers in years gone by. It's just more erosion of our family time and relaxation time, Dad, Mum or both are at work.

[China]

Any business should be able to open when and for how long they choose, it is up to the individual to decide if he/she will patronise that business, ( on the other hand any reason not to shop at Bunnings is a good one)

[69Guitars]

Opinions are like really great pieces of wood, everyone has one. Not shopping or going to a shop anymore because they opened on Anzac Day or Christmas Day etc, wouldn't leave us with many shops to go to for the rest of the year! On Anzac Day pubs are open, casinos,pokies clubs,newsagency's,supermarkets,petrol stations and bunnings.....the list goes on, and we play football. Personally I would rather see someone buying tools or wood at bunnings than getting rotten drunk at a pub and flushing their pay down the pokies, now if anything was to be disrespectful to the Anzacs, that surely would..!!

[Big Shed]

Maybe Bunnings doesn't have that much to be ashamed about if we look at the actions of the Victorian RSL:((

http://www.theage.com.au/national/pokies-in-diggers-out-in-rsl-plan-20090425-aitd.html

The dollar rules, even in the RSL, and they don't have to answer to shareholders.

[blonk]

Why bash Bunnings? Just about everything was open after 13:00pm. What about factories, refineries, power stations, etc. They continue to operate and make money, most 365 days a year. Are they un-Australian too? I think Anzac day gets the respect it deserves, but I don't agree that the world needs to stop for everyone. I stopped going out to pubs on Anzac day, because there were too many idiots that thought the idea was getting to drunk to walk and making idiots of themselves. Leave it up to everyone to celebrate (or ignore) in their own way, rather than being told, you must do this, you can't do this, etc. etc.
What did I do yesterday, spent the day working at home, because that's what Anzacs and others have fought to allow me to do. What I want when I want it.

[justinmcf]

hear hear blonk,
very well said.

regards, justin.

[Doc0055]

I marched yesterday. I have no problem with shops etc opening. That is why i served, to preserve our freedom of choice.

[specialist]

Maybe Bunnings doesn't have that much to be ashamed about if we look at the actions of the Victorian RSL:((

http://www.theage.com.au/national/po...0425-aitd.html (http://www.theage.com.au/national/pokies-in-diggers-out-in-rsl-plan-20090425-aitd.html)

The dollar rules, even in the RSL, and they don't have to answer to shareholders.
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No wonder my dad wouldn't have anything at all to do with the rsl, anzac day, or even talk about the war even in general. He wouldn't even apply for any of the benefits that were up for grabs at times.