Thanks for the heads up Noel, a friend who had some minor involvement a
few years ago refers to them as Landmine, they lie there until you step
on them and then "Boom"

Take care

Graham





>G'day everyone.
>
>If Landmark Education calls, Hang up.
>
>I suspect after last nights telephone call, Landmark Education
>telemarketers may be targeting cycling clubs or groups to hook people
>into their seminars. If the enclosed telephone dialogue is anything to
go by.
>
>The following is a 'without prejudice' synopsis of the telephone
>dialogue that occurred.
>
>At 9:00 pm last night I answered what I thought was a HBBUG telephone
>inquiry from a female person .
>The early part of the conversation contained pauses that caused me to
>concentrate on what I heard her say, as well as pick up the call centre
>chatter in the background.
>
>I said hello.
>Pause
>A female mumbled her name, saying she was from Williamstown.
>I again asked her name.
>Pause
>She again said it in a mumble and went on to say she was a graduate of
>Landmark Education and that she is interested in cycling.
>I asked if she wanted to become a member of the HBBUG.
>Pause
>She said she was interested in community development work.
>I asked her how that was going to benefit cycling in the west.
>Pause
>She then changed her tactics.
>She asked me directly, If I wanted to improve my relationship with council?
>Being aware my response to this question would require me to provide a
>total stranger with information about the lobbying I do and
>relationships I have with councillors and council officers, which I
>regard as 'Commercial-in-confidence', I answered, No.
>She then began probing me for information about what I would see happen
>for cycling in the west.
>So I threw her a bone a red herring, something for her to hook herself
>on. I said I would like to see a bicycle mechanics course being run in
>the west.
>She went on the attack saying what am I going to do to achieve that dream.
>I said Landmark Education should run such a course.
>She then started to use negative motivation techniques on me by applying
>guilt/blame/responsibility to the dream she said I had.
>She made no comment on that point, but replied by saying that this is
>your dream.
>I said, This is something that Victoria University could run at one of
>their TAFE Colleges.
>She said, there must be people in the bicycle group who would like to
>have access to a bicycle mechanics course.
>Perceiving she was trying to assess the HBBUG members list, I replied No.
>She then restated, The bicycle mechanics course is my dream.
>I had a feeling I had the Landmark Education name before.
>So I walked out to the kitchen to ask my wife about Landmark Education,
>While saying into the telephone, It had no real interest for me as far
>as my direction is concerned. My dreams are elsewhere.
>I then said to her, would you excuse me for a moment?
>
>I asked my wife do you anything about Landmark Education.
>With that her jaw dropped as she sucked in air and then said, what do
>they want.
>The look on her face caused the penny to drop for me and the memories of
>the family crisis that my wife's involvement with Landmark Education
>caused, came flooding back.
>
>Into the telephone I said Hello.
>She said yes.
>I said, I remember who Landmark Education is. I have researched them
>and the word to describe them according to some of the chatrooms I have
>visited, is CULT. I prefer to have nothing to do with such an
>organisation. Good bye.
>
>I then told my wife what they wanted. Which is what I have cited above
>in good faith.
>
>During this telephone conversation I felt as if I was playing 'Battle
>Chess' in real time on the interpersonal chess board. I did not like
>the experience!
>
>Be warned!
>
>
>Noel C. Dyson
>Convenor HBBUG