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I was at a birthday party up in the Hunter Valley a while back, talking to an engaging bloke as we shared a beer. He asked me a few questions about myself, and I returned the favour: what did he do for a job? At which point he shot me an apologetic grimace. He worked at the local coal mine.

Why should he feel bad? Sure, the country is still too dependent on coal, but the blame for that can be spread widely – on politicians, voters, investors. In the meantime, he’s doing us all a favour, performing a dangerous job that keeps the lights on. I bought him another beer.



We love to hate them, but even the most derided professions deserve some respect. Credit: iStock He’s not the only one who’s made to feel like a pariah. In truth, society is full of people who hardly ever get the praise they deserve.

Here, in praise of the pilloried, are a few examples. Parking inspectors. We love to hate them, those Brown Bombers and Grey Ghosts, and sure it’s annoying when (as always happens) you cop a ticket when all you were doing was racing your father-in-law to the hospital after his heart attack, pausing for just a moment to pick up your dry cleaning on the way.

And yet consider how much more annoying the world would be without parking inspectors, with shop owners and staff having taken every available spot in every available high street, and staying there all day, commerce killed and the customers forced away. How about some new nicknames? Arise, the Brown Beauties and the Grey Go.

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