ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
In what has become a cherished yet predictably frustrating weekend ritual, local software developer Tim Hargreaves (32) enjoys a weekly phone call with his father, Donald Hargreaves (64), during which he is subjected to a torrent of Sky News Australia talking points.
Tim, who holds a master’s degree in environmental science and lives in a renovated inner-city worker’s cottage, finds himself bracing each Sunday evening for the inevitable deluge of one-eyed conservative commentary and dubious climate change skepticism.
“It’s like clockwork,” he told our reporter.
“I say, ‘Hey Dad, how’s it going?’ and before I know it, I’m getting a detailed breakdown of Andrew Bolt’s latest rant about how renewables are a conspiracy.”
Donald, a retired grazier who has been on the coal-face of environmental change for five decades, remains steadfast in his refusal to accept climate change as a real phenomenon, despite experiencing increasing severity in floods and droughts firsthand.
“I just think they tell it like it is,” Donald explained, oblivious to the irony of regurgitating last night’s primetime monologue verbatim.
While Tim appreciates his father’s enthusiasm for staying informed, he admits the conversations often veer into the absurd.
“I mentioned I was getting solar panels, and Dad starts quoting some guy on Sky News who says they’re all made in China and they can stop sending them whenever they want. I didn’t even bother to correct him – I just nodded and said, ‘That’s interesting, true.'”
Despite the ideological chasm, Tim maintains these calls are important.
“It’s still good to hear his voice and know he’s doing well,” he said, pausing to reflect. “I just wish he’d diversify his media diet a bit. Maybe sprinkle in some ABC or SBS, you know, for balance. I read The Australian, for example.”
Back in the Hargreaves household, Donald remains unfazed by his son’s progressive views.
“Tim’s a smart lad, but he lives around those capital city shitebags that want to lecture us in the regions about the real world,” he chuckled. “One day he’ll see the light – and until then, I’ll keep him informed. He just needs something to conserve.”
In the meantime, Tim has developed coping strategies for the weekly calls, including strategic phone muting and a growing collection of ‘uh-huhs’ and ‘I see’s’ that he deploys with precision timing.
“It’s like a game,” he said with a wink.
“I just have to make sure I get my points for listening without actually engaging.”
As for Donald, he’s already looking forward to next Sunday’s chat, armed with fresh insights from his favourite Sky News commentators.
“I just hope he realises I’m only trying to help. Look at the damage that Airbus Albo has done already. We need the Liberals back.” Donald concluded.
More to come.
