IN 397 AD, Augustine of Hippo, better known to most of us as St Augustine, wrote an autobiography reflecting upon the sins and immoral acts of his youth. It was called Confessions in Thirteen Books and is now often published under the title of The Confessions of Saint Augustine. This book is thought to have been the first ever autobiography.
Even Whanganui has been touched by this famous theologian and philosopher, through St Augustine's College, which honoured his name for many years. It was founded here in 1944 and later became Cullinane College after combining with Sacred Heart College in 2003.
So it is with the confessions of St Augustine in mind and after a lifetime of shortcomings that I now feel the need to come clean and confess the sins of my own past. Sorry to disappoint some of you conspiracy and hidden-agenda theorists out there, but this is not going to be a Harvey Weinstein, Richard Nixon or Milli Vanilli moment.
I must confess, however, that it was only two years ago that I became a born-again recycler of household materials. So now, with this newfound commitment and with the zealotry of the born-again Christians who probably believe in fairies at the bottom of the garden and who incessantly write letters to this newspaper, I want to try and convert you non-recycling heathens to the faith of recycling.
I have to be honest and say that I did not become a born-again recycler without putting up an indignant and vigorous fight. Sadly, I was no match for the ever diplomatic and determined Lady Main (former Mayor of Whanganui), herself a devout recycler. Her logic inflicted guilt within me and helped transform my thinking into that of a heroic caped crusader with visions of saving the world from those who would destroy it with their voluminous trash (the 75 per cent savings I made from reducing my street rubbish collection fees had nothing to do with it).