Well, folks, like a bad penny, I am back after a three-month sabbatical brought on by my deluded idea of becoming mayor of the Sunshine Coast Council.
It was not to be, even though I have to thank about 50,000 kind people who voted for me.
I was outgunned by Rosanna Natoli, who ran a very impressive campaign.
Now, the reason I had to stop writing this column was that it was deemed to be an unfair advantage over the other candidates, depending on how you look at it.
There were six candidates and I came second but, unlike the upcoming Olympics, there is no silver medal – even though some folk thought that if you came second, you got to be deputy mayor (no, what you get is a donut).
That amazed me somewhat – the fact people thought that could happen.
It did highlight to me the lack of interest people actually have in politics.
Since March 16 and to this very day, I still have people asking how I went, am I mayor and, if not, who is?
I must say, I have learnt a lot since January when this all started, as I have also left my place of employment for 14 years at Alex Surf Club.
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As far as the election went, I never got abused as much as I thought I would – well, not to me face, anyway.
I was really surprised about how many people helped and supported me and it was like having a funeral but still being alive.
It was quite nice, to be honest.
I learnt about the multitude of good people out there and thankfully a small number of people that I thought were honest but turned out to be people who would do or say anything to derail me.
They will be disappointed that they didn’t lose my election: I probably just wasn’t good enough.
Now, I have been married for 41 years and I now know how I have done that: I haven’t been home much.
So, I have some stories to share about being home with Old Mate.
By the way, my column is now every two weeks.
Lucky I never came third as it might have been every three weeks, or worse?
Love being back!
Ashley Robinson is chairman of Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Coast Thunder Netball and a lifetime Sunshine Coast resident.
