Ego Mountain Horror

The world’s highest mountain, Everest, also known as Sagarmatha or Qomolangma (‘Holy Mother’), is the ultimate bucket-list item for super egos. … More

The Magic Pudding

Norman Lindsay probably didn’t waste too much time studying economics in his young turn-of-20th century days, as the ‘dismal science’ hadn’t yet … More

Pollies & Crackers

Last year the Remuneration Tribunal gave our Federal parliamentarians a serious Christmas present in the form of huge pay increases. … More

Real World: Germany 20 v Australia 5

Just after Anzac Day is a good time to reflect on our collective failure to meet the challenge of altering Australia’s energy … More

Lao Life

In 1973 your correspondent set off to discover our SE Asian neighbours. Travelling slowly through Bali, Java, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Sabah, … More

Vamos! Vegemite!

Aldi, the plucky German challenger to supermarket duopoly giants Coles-Woolworths, seems to have a great sense of humour. They have created a … More

Gonski’s Gauntlet to Gillard & Garrett

The Gonski Review of our education funding arrangements has called for a new approach, with the establishment of a Schooling … More

In Pursuit of the Perfect Pearl…Buyer

Paspaley Pearls is the giant (quasi-monopoly?) of the Australian pearling industry, proud of its family business heritage going back to 1935. ING … More

The Other Peter Principle

As some wit put it, the great thing about getting old is that it beats the alternative. As baby boomers … More

Summer Survival

Wow, so many great stories of survival, or not, to chew on during the festive season, along with left-over ham … More