As a member of the public, he remonstrated in August with the “social conservatives” preparing to roll Malcolm Turnbull as PM.

This week, with his party hat on, he has made no bones about its need to attract and retain female candidates. Not to put too fine a point on it, the party “needs to get off its bum”. It’s timely, with preselection and a possible three-way contest looming in Eden-Monaro. Mr Haslem also called for fresh preselection nominations for the federal seat of Gilmore, after the exit of Ann Sudmalis. The retiring MP will soon be on a plane for New York, after a landing a plum United Nations gig.

Someone well-used to flying high is Moruya skydiver Jules McConnel, who is on her way  to the world parachuting championships. 

Go Jules!

Big congratulations also to Batemans Bay sailor Michael Leydon, who is sharing his skills at the Invictus Games.