How different are regional rural and remote Australian’s compared to those of us that live in major cities? And how willing are we when it comes to trying to learn about or at the very least trying to understand the diverse nature of Australian society. It’s a question we probably rarely consider. We all have [...]
In state this new world Achilles, he of translucent glow rests, world weary: Oblivious to commanders. Those reticent masters of the bayonet charge, lauded yet by those similarly inclined. Ten miles beyond the sordid scope of battle, only Generals die in bed. Our Achilles, little known disparager of war, of wattle and daub beginnings. [...]
Considering were not averse to chomping down on a nice piece of spring lamb or Bambi, if youre a venison lover, its surprising how many people dont like the idea of eating kangaroo or emu. Meat is meat after all, isnt it? And if it isnt, then what makes skippy and our own version of [...]
Think that old Television series The Ghost and Mrs Muir throw in contemporary Sydney and a restaurant as setting, with ghost Frankie, and you have J.D. Barretts The Secret Recipe for Second Chances. This is a story about a young woman, Lucy who leaves her philandering superstar chief husband to open her own restaurant [...]
Once upon a time riding boots were rarely seen outside regional and rural areas in Australia. The elastic-sided boot was the boot of choice for men and women living and working/riding in the bush and invariably pointed to a good part of life spent in the saddle. A second pair of boots were often used [...]
Did the temporary ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia really lead to an increase in boat people arriving in Australia? So says Barnaby Joyce. Five years ago the uproar over footage filmed at an Indonesian abattoir led to the Labor government banning live cattle exports. It was a temporary measure to address the horror [...]
I love steak, particularly T-bone, preferably grass fed, not the mushy tasteless grain fed variety currently featuring on the shelves at Coles. But as a consumer and a producer Im in the hands of the Big 5, the giants who control the red meat processing industry, Woolworths, Coles, JBS Australia, Teys/Cargill and Nippon. Youd think [...]
I'm extraordinarily grateful for the great reception that my last novel, Wild Lands received. In writing about the opening up of northern New South Wales in the 1830s I was cautioned by some who were concerned about my writing from the perspective of both white settlers and Australia's First People. I was also reminded by others [...]
And the drought goes on Im wondering if anyone is going to take a stand for rural Australia. Im speaking of those areas such as Western NSW and Central and Western QLD still fighting the extremes of a never-ending drought. Surely it is time for serious attention to be given to those who are suffering. [...]
When the overseas guys arrive with wads of cash in the palms of their hands. Its a contentious issue, foreign investment, but for all the opinions many argue that overseas dollars are a major component when it comes to keeping primary industries viable. Do I like the idea of foreign ownership of the land, of [...]
