In Henry Lawson's story, The Union Buries Its Dead, one of the mourners asks with pathetic humour whether we thought the dead man's ticket would be recognised "over yonder". .. and the general opinion was that it would be. Laurie Carmichael, for whom the AMWU held a memorial service in Melbourne on Thursday 6 September 2018 didn't believe in over … [Read more...] about The Union Buries Its Dead
Polemics
Living It Up
When asked what I was going to do in my retirement, I said I wanted to really enjoy all that Melbourne has to offer. And over the year I've done just that. None more so than during October - November. I've exhausted myself, and, of course Joe who, as I jocularly remark (but I mean it) remains working so that I can continue to be kept in the style … [Read more...] about Living It Up
Meeting Malcolm
I met Malcolm Fraser once. Ironically on the anniversary of the dismissal of Gough Whitlam by Kerr at Malcolm's behest. An event that shattered my faith in Australia's political institutions, spurred my republicanism and generated a loathing of the man I held responsible. Malcolm - Kerr's cur. Of all the obituaries today, this one by Mungo … [Read more...] about Meeting Malcolm
Tangled Up In Blue
When Julia Gillard referred to Tony Abbott's blue ties I thought she was being puerile. Now every day I see Tony Abbott in a blue tie I know he's puerile. I don't agree with other feminists who get cross about journalists focussing on what politicians wear and their hairstyles etc. I agree they monitor women pollies' appearances more closely and … [Read more...] about Tangled Up In Blue
In The Eye of the Storm
Gillian Triggs taught me international law many moons ago. I'm amazed that anyone would accuse her of acting in a partisan way. For left or right. She was one of my favourite lecturers. So smart, so sassy. She had shoulder length, shining red hair and more often than not wore twinsets and pearls. No closet lefty then (nor would I expect now). Every … [Read more...] about In The Eye of the Storm
Gough: The Memorial
I went and watched the memorial for Gough at Federation Square. Not many there; either they didn't know about it (there were no notices in the paper or on social media) or were happy to watch it on their computers (such is our modern age) or they just didn't care! Either way, I was pleased to be there, with friends, watching it on the big screen in … [Read more...] about Gough: The Memorial