Irish born Captain Moonlight (Andrew Scott) might have trained as an engineer in London but he would eventually hold his dying lover in his arms thousands of nautical miles south in Australia. In 1861 his family moved to New Zealand with the hope of finding gold. The Maori Wars intervened and Scott enlisting as an [...]
The question of chivalry or more correctly the demise of it got me thinking on my last trip to Sydney. I wonder what King Arthur would make of our world where he alive today. Looking down from the lofty parapets of Camelot, would he weep or take note of those who continue to uphold the [...]
Charles Kerry of Kerry & Co was a photographer at the turn of the century – 1900s. His photographic company was very popular capturing images from NSW’s rural areas at a time when regional Australia was growing quickly. He was also quick to see the needs of inland dwellers creating his ‘Squatter Service’ where he [...]
Standing the test of time, Gorrin Woolshed is located about 20km south-south-east of Ararat, a Victorian town with an economy dominated by the wool and beef industries. The area is steeped in history, enriched with stories from its gold mining past and its flourishing pastoral land. Land that now sustains a number of well-known wineries. [...]
I always admire artists who capture the true essence of the Australian outback, those who portray it in an honest and raw fashion. Frederick McCubbin is one such artist. He started painting the suburbs of inner Melbourne, but finished with his art adorning galleries across the world. His mesmerising interpretations of the Australian bush reflect [...]
Im sure if Captain Phillip was here today he would be amazed to see the versatility of our grain products. Australian wheat based noodle, bread and bakery products can be found across the globe and include Chinese style noodles, Wanton Dumpling skin, European pan bread and Indian flat bread. And our sorghum fattens some [...]
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 [...]
The Book of Lost and Found. Lucy Foleys debut is a star-crossed lovers tale narrated through multi-generational story-lines. After the death of her ballerina mother and adoptive grandmother, Kate uncovers family secrets about her mothers real parentage. The story is told via flashbacks from the point of view of Tom Stafford, a renowned artist and [...]
Tranquil waters Tasty cocktails Soft sunsets Fragrant moments
Recently I was asked by Better Reading to share my love of books. Here are twelve out of a too-long list. What are your favourites? Four Classics 1. The Man from Snowy River A.B. Patterson: Iconic Australia. Our much-loved copy arrived at the homestead by horse (wrapped in brown paper in a saddle-bag) in [...]
