Most first dates are awkward, but we doubt many will be worse than Julia Gillard's latest affair. The Prime Minister is due to dine with representatives of GetUp and Australian Marriage Equality after they won a bidding war at the Federal Press Gallery's Mid-Winter Ball Charity Auction.
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The big date - scheduled for February 21 at the Lodge - will see more than just dinner being chewed on, as the reps gear up to sink their teeth into the PM on the issue of same-sex marriage.
GetUp Marriage equality campaigner Paul Mackay said the date will see Gillard forced to make the case as to why same sex couples ''cannot have their relationships recognised in the same way other Australians do''. And we thought mentioning marriage on the first date was a bad idea.
Up front activists
PERHAPS Ms Gillard and her guests should stick to small talk instead, like the latest Time magazine person of the year.
The annual honour was announced yesterday with ''the protester'' taking out the top place. While the publication is bound to cop some flak over the award - not dissimilar to the ribbing they received over the 2006 issue honouring ''you'' - it has been a big year for the humble protester.
Of course, the royal de jour, Kate Middleton, was named as a runner-up. At least this was one publication that focussed on her, rather than her sister Pippa's derriere.
Doctors in the spirit
THE Today team got a good chuckle yesterday courtesy of the most unlikely of sources, the Australian Medical Association.
A festive email from the AMA media team came accompanied with its own version of We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Apart from replacing ''merry'' with Medicare, the seasonal tune spruiked the benefits of organ donation, a National Disability Insurance Scheme and increased vaccinations. It also gave a nod to the new health minister, promising that a copy of the AMA policy was in the Christmas post!
Meanwhile, we also got a call from a former Santa who was happy to recall some of the more dangerous elements of donning the big red suit.
''Seeing all the children's reactions to Santa on television reminded me of the time I was asked to be Santa,'' Frank said. ''I was told 'there's only one essential piece of equipment you need and that is shin pads'. When the kids get excited they tend to wave their arms and kick out and a lot of them end up kicking you in the shins.''
We're guessing bruising the big guy equates to a lump of coal come Christmas morning.
Gift card fortune
THE FESTIVE season brought a nice surprise for one Kambah woman yesterday. Local lass Angela Pearman was announced as the major winner in The Canberra Times Best Christmas Ever $10,000 Westfield Gift Card Giveaway, after general manager Ken Nichols drew her name from the bright red barrel at noon.
The competition gave away one major prize of a $5000 Westfield gift card with 10 runners-up receiving a $500 gift card. Ms Pearman was doubly lucky, also winning a runner-up prize of $500. While a good shopping spree was on the cards, she said she would also splash out on some Christmas gifts for the family. Congratulations!
Pandora lost and found
IT SEEMS that the festive season brings out the best in most people, including one reader.
The Today team received a call from a family, who were searching for the owner of a Pandora bracelet. The pricey piece of jewellery was found on the Macquarie Primary School Oval, frequented by students and soccer teams.
The considerate finders said they were keen to return the bracelet to its rightful owner in time for Christmas, so if that's you call 0401749968. They will need a description of the charms to verify the ownership.
