NATIONAL TREASURE

You Aussies can be downright bloody exasperating. While you know only too well how to be a pain in the neck if and when you ever beat us Poms at cricket, you’re way too reluctant to take credit for any of your copious achievements as a nation outside of sport.

Possibly it’s a function of the tall poppy syndrome, but collectively speaking you’re much too modest about the numerous examples of individual ingenuity leavened with downright dedication to pursuing an idea that’s been sparked in often unconventional ways, which are being pursued all over Australia and in all sorts of fields. Viewed from outside by someone who knows and loves the place like I do, Australia is the can-do country; a nation where problems are opportunities, adversity a challenge, and a glass is always half full. It’s a place where people don’t wonder if they can overcome any problems or difficulties, only how that can be done.

Melbourne-based engineer Ian Drysdale is an exponent par excellence of that can-do doctrine. That is exemplified by the small but select series of Drysdale V8 motorcycles powered by his own water-cooled 32-valve four-camshaft V8 powerplants he’s handcrafted