Remember, Remember the 26th of December

When they said to hold a minute's silence at one minute to midday, did they mean Eastern Standard time, or locally?

At any rate, whenever you have your minute of silence to reflect upon the deaths of the tsunami victims, don't forget to wear a sprig of wattle, as per PM Johnny's instruction. And if a wattle in full golden glorious bloom sets off your hayfever, too bad - sneeze silently.

Ah, wattle. It makes one all patriotic, doesn't it. Makes one want to sing out loud those immortal words:

Under the Southern Cross I stand,
A sprig of wattle in my hand...
Australia, you ****ing beauty!"

Personally, I think I'll forego the wattle. It just doesn't carry the right tone for a remembrance flower.