User talk:AustralianRupert

I'll reply to your message here.

Retirement
There is a proverb that says all (I won't say "good") things must come to an end, and indeed it is time for me to cease my involvement with Wikipedia. For some time I have been losing my desire to contribute content to the site. For awhile I tried to busy myself with admin work or minor edits, however, now it is time to down tools completely and call stumps. I am sorry to say, but I no longer gain enjoyment from my time here. I haven't for many years now but for some reason felt compelled to help maintain what we had started. But, it is too easy for hard work to be destroyed. It is too time consuming to have to continually check watchlists to try to prevent uncited content or misinformation being inserted. It is too odious having to argue with irrational people for the pursuit of a hobby. Too disheartening seeing the good work of others torn asunder or deleted.

It is too depressing seeing friends depart, both online and in real life. It is too impactful having strangers cast aspersions about one's politics without ever having met one. I have grown tired of the increasing politicisation of the site, the agendas of some editors and the continuing assault on the sense of community that once seemed to be the best aspect of the site. There are more important things in life than arguing with people on the internet.

That said, I will forever remain grateful for having had the opportunity to work with many dedicated volunteers from many different walks of life, with many different perspectives. If not for Wikipedia, I doubt I'd ever have been exposed to such diversity of thought. I have learnt a lot from my time here. Most of it was positive, although, I will continue to regret some aspects forever. I had the good fortune to collaborate with some incredible editors on a diverse range of topics; I remain in awe of what a few dedicated editors pulling in the same direction can produce, but I have also seen the opposite. I hope that there will be more of the former than the latter as Wikipedia proceeds into its third decade. Until we meet again. Bona fortuna. Regards, AustralianRupert (talk) 07:12, 29 January 2022 (UTC)
 * Thank you for all your contributions over these 13 years—I don't believe we've crossed paths (though I had your page watchlisted solely because of our shared Cornish ancestry), but its always sad to lose an editor. Best wishes for the future -- TNT (talk • she/her) 07:21, 29 January 2022 (UTC)
 * Respect. If anybody deserves a long and plush shore leave, you do. Your work endures, brother. BusterD (talk) 07:28, 29 January 2022 (UTC)


 * Walk long, stay strong, bro. All the best for the future,  SN54129  07:30, 29 January 2022 (UTC)


 * Dude. Very sorry to see you go. I feel your frustration. Your four years as lead coordinator of Milhist were some of the most productive the project has had. Your involvement in the project coordination team from to 2010 to 2018 was also pivotal to our success in that period. Thank you for the cheerful and collegiate way you have gone about your volunteer work here, your wise words of guidance for newcomers and for your hundreds of reviews. Hvala i doviđenja! Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 07:50, 29 January 2022 (UTC)


 * Gutted to see you go mate, I learnt a lot from your guidance since starting working in the MilHist space and your collegiality will be missed. I wish you and yours all the best for the future. Zawed (talk) 07:55, 29 January 2022 (UTC)
 * quite sad to see editors of quality decide to go... your editing and congeniality has been much appreciated JarrahTree 09:10, 29 January 2022 (UTC)


 * I understand your frustrations about good work being destroyed. I have always admired the work you did on articles and as an administrator. I also know that it is difficult to put a military career, family, and Wikipedia administration together without something getting the short shrift. Let it be the Wikipedia thing to ditch. Your career and especially family must come first. I kind of semi-retired from Wikipedia a few years back as far as writing articles and now only clean up messes from the great number of unregistered who come here to cause havoc. We will miss you and your contributions and sense of humor (that is humour, Mate). Stay safe and God bless! Cuprum17 (talk) 15:20, 29 January 2022 (UTC)


 * Sorry to see you go. I understand so much of what you posted... bon voyage. Shearonink (talk) 21:36, 29 January 2022 (UTC)


 * You're a name I recognize and respect, and there's real merit to raising the issues you raise here. Best of luck with your life in this weird and wonderful world. Vaticidalprophet 02:12, 30 January 2022 (UTC)


 * Thank you for everything. – ♠Vami _IV†♠  23:08, 30 January 2022 (UTC)


 * Thank you for all your contributions here. Hog Farm Talk 23:58, 30 January 2022 (UTC)


 * I am sorry to see your name in this month's admin newsletter. I can't recall if we have directly collaborated on anything, but we have certainly collaborated in the wider sense. I wish you well in the future and hope to encounter you again on some other project. Thank you for your contributions here. --Scott Davis Talk 10:40, 3 February 2022 (UTC)


 * Rupert! I'm just seeing this. While this is a big loss for all of us, I totally understand where you're coming from. Best wishes to you and yours as you discover new adventures to embark upon. Ed [talk] [majestic titan] 21:55, 3 February 2022 (UTC)


 * Damn! I just heard and come here to wish you well, although it appears I'm a little too late for that. Wherever you go and whatever you do, know that you'll be welcomed back when and if you decide to return. Until then, good luck, and may you find a new hobby to occupy your time. TomStar81 (Talk) 05:33, 4 February 2022 (UTC)


 * I'm sorry to see you go, but I understand and respect your decision. At some point, we all burn out, some just recognize earlier than others. Best of luck in your future endeavors. Parsecboy (talk) 00:15, 5 February 2022 (UTC)


 * You've left big shoes behind for new and existing editors to fill. You'll always remain exemplary and irreplacable. Danidamiobi (talk) 12:16, 22 February 2022 (UTC)


 * Respect - and all the best looking into the future. Hchc2009 (talk) 00:32, 5 February 2022 (UTC)
 * I just have a feeling that We'll Meet Again ... don't know where, don't know when. Until then, I'll enjoy many happy memories working with you over the years. - Dank (push to talk) 21:53, 6 February 2022 (UTC)
 * Wikipedia loses another honorable legend in a cesspit of crud :( Bumbubookworm (talk) 23:10, 27 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Only just now seeing this, but so long my friend. Enjoy your very deserved retirement. Iazyges   Consermonor   Opus meum  07:40, 30 July 2022 (UTC)

Precious, remembered
repeated as farewell, and note the old style of the first year, almost 10 years ago, quality that will be missed --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:46, 29 January 2022 (UTC)

Have a little present from me
I don't recall if I ever interacted with you directly, but I am saddened somewhat to see that a long-time administrator has laid down the mop. I would, however, like to bestow this userbox I just created, making you the first recipient:

— Jkudlick &#x2693; (talk) 20:21, 31 March 2022 (UTC)

Always precious
Ten years ago, you were found precious. That's what you are, always. We miss you. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:31, 26 August 2022 (UTC)

Thank you today for Bougainville counterattack, introduced (in 2018): "This article covers what must be one of the worst military blunders of World War II. In March 1944 around 15,000 Japanese troops attempted to attack fortified positions on the island of Bougainville which were held by 62,000 Americans who knew that they were coming. While the Japanese fought bravely, the offensive ended in total failure, with the veteran US Army units stopping the attack in a matter of days."! --

Congratulations from the Military History Project

 * Congratulations, and I wish you All the best: Rich Farmbrough 16:02, 5 February 2024 (UTC).