Christopher Henning’s review (SMH Sep 26-27) of a new biography of early C19th wheeler & dealer W.C. Wentworth, is worth quoting from: “Like … More
Category: Society
The English Surgeon
‘The English Surgeon’ is a masterful documentary film about hard lives, brain surgery and hope in Ukraine. Brain surgeon Henry Marsh has been … More
Narcissist Networks
Miranda Devine (SMH Sep 03) quoted some indicators of our spiralling potential for pervasively narcissistic patterns of behaviour. For example, an ABS … More
Dan’s Drink Deals for Dad’s Day!
‘Nobody beats Dan Murphy’s’ use of socially-inappropriate double-page press adverts promoting liquor purchases for Father’s Day. Dan says: “Buy Dad … More
True Confections
Earlier this year Cadbury downsized 250g chocolate blocks to 200g, but changed to cardboard packaging that looked the same size. Retail prices have not fallen accordingly. Removal of … More
Getting Greched
Re the Utegate farce: the Auditor-General reported on Treasury’s role and its senior policy wonk & leak Gollum Grechen, uncovering shortfalls in departmental security … More
Gender Bender
Adolescent boys don’t know how to relate to girls, reports Gordon Parker, a psychiatrist who talks to parents at boys … More
War: Sydney v Kormoran
Australians have an interest, not necessarily well-read, in episodes of their military history. In recent decades inchoate Aussie tribal urges have conjured up ‘remembrance’ travel to foreign cemeteries, former battlefields, prisoner of … More
First Home Follies
Last October the first-home buyers ‘grant’ for purchase of established homes was doubled to $14,000, and tripled to $21,000 for new ones. Since then the average first home … More
Ruing Roubles: Eat Roo Too!
Russia has temporarily suspended imports of kangaroo meat from Australia, apparently following contamination concerns. Unfortunately that accounts for 70% of exports, … More
