Australia top of local box office Dec 1, 2008
While Australians appear to have embraced the outback romance, the film failed to ignite much interest over a busy Thanksgiving long weekend in US and Canadian theatres ... Four Holidays, with Witherspoon and Vaughn playing a yuppie couple forced to spend Christmas with their four divorced parents, opens in Australian theatres on Thursday. (The Australian)
The 2008 AFL draft: How your club fared Dec 1, 2008
They addressed a big need in drafting ruckman McCulloch and Cornelius, an All-Australian as a 17-year-old, was a bit of a steal ... All- Australian U18 in 2007 and 2008 ... Co-captain of Vic Metro and an U18 All-Australian. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Academic Peter van Onselen is obsessed with me, claims Julie Bishop Dec 1, 2008
" But far from hosing down the row over her performance, the deputy Liberal leader has also again blamed The Australian newspaper for her woes, rejecting recent reports that Mr Turnbull has spoken to her recently about a failure to cut through. "Malcolm and I talk every day. We are always talking about articles in the newspaper, we re always talking about ways to hone our message, we re always talking about how we can act in the interests of the Australian people ... I don t recall any specific... (The Australian)
Aussie beer beats Brits to award Dec 1, 2008
"This is just another example of something the Poms invented yet have lost to the Aussies,'' Barons Brewing managing director Scott Garnett said. Barons Black Wattle Original Ale was voted the most popular beer out of 50 nominations at the JD Wetherspoon international beer festival in Britain last month. A day later, the Wallabies savaged England 28-14 at Twickenham. Barons Brewing was one or four international contenders in the competition which was run in 717 JD Wetherspoon pubs across Britain... (The Australian)
Wong defends delay to climate target Dec 1, 2008
"Our priority is to provide business and the Australian community with certainty," Senator Wong told ABC radio ... In The Australian Today ... Also in The Australian. (The Australian)
Schlock on the barbie Nov 30, 2008
From one Australian's point of view, Baz Luhrmann's film about the Land Down Under is sentimental, theatrical, and a bit offensive ... For an Australian, the most delightful and provocative thing about "Australia," the new Baz Luhrmann movie, is its title ... In the process it became a movie so kitsch and condescending that, as an Australian (I came to Boston from Sydney in May), all I want to do is look away. (Boston Globe)
Jorn Utzon, architect of the iconic Sydney Opera House, dies Nov 30, 2008
He had quarrelled with the Australian client and the costs overran by 1,000 ... The chairman of Sydney Opera House Trust, Kim Williams, said: "Jorn Utzon was an architectural and creative genius who gave Australia and the world a great gift. "Sydney Opera House is core to our national cultural identity and a source of great pride to all Australians. (BBC News)
Ex-national star laments culture of mediocrity in Malaysian hockey Nov 30, 2008
He was surprised to find out that for a team ranked number two in the world, the Australians do not get any incentives not even for winning the gold medal at the Olympics ... Another aspect which caught Jiwas attention was that Malaysian national players trained full time, unlike their Australian counterparts ... The Australians have to work to earn a living and they even train before they go to work in the mornings. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Joern Utzon dead Nov 30, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Paola Totaro in LondonNovember 30, 2008 - 8:24AM. (The Age, Australia -- World)
Rex Hunt to fight road rage charges Nov 30, 2008
In The Australian Today ... Also in The Australian ... QANTAS and the federal Government are in talks to rescue hundreds of Australians caught in a siege at Bangkok's international airport. (The Australian)
Official rates set to fall in December Nov 30, 2008
"The worsening in global conditions and the fact ... Australia is more likely to enter a recession means monetary policy needs to be taken to an accommodating level very quickly,'' he said. AMP Capital Investors chief economist Shane Oliver said the RBA would cut rates by 75 basis points, and keep cutting until the cash rate hit three per cent by mid-2009, a level last seen in March 1960. "The economic threat to Australian growth from the global slump is the biggest seen in the post-war era,''... (The Australian)
Design: Limited-edition furniture is feeling the crunch Nov 30, 2008
A 1988 chaise longue by the Australian designer Marc Newson had recently set a record for the work of a living designer by selling for $1. 5 million. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Joern Utzon, Sydney Opera House Architect, Is Dead in Copenhagen at Age 90 Nov 30, 2008
Relations between Utzon and Australian government officials soured ... He worked from his home in Mallorca, Spain, studying video recordings of the opera house and corresponding with Australian entrepreneurs via telephone and fax, refusing to return to see his work. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Culture on the cheap Nov 29, 2008
The Australian Ballet believes its repertoire is "very recession friendly". "Ballet is very 'up'. There's no social realism, not withstanding the lead ballerina usually dies in the end," says Patrick McIntyre, associate executive director at the Australian Ballet ... Under-30s get deals at most of the major companies including the Australian Chamber Orchestra (up to 50 per cent off a subscription), the Sydney Dance Company ($29 youth tickets), Sydney Theatre Company ($29 youth tickets on Mondays... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
In sorrow a chance to rebuild Nov 29, 2008
" Earlier this year Maunder announced he would leave at the end of 2008. A director and producer who has worked with the company since 1978, on and off, he wants to spend more time on freelance projects, including some future OA productions. Maunder's plans remain unchanged despite Hickox's death. Last month OA announced the appointment of the Royal Academy of Music's director of opera Anthony Legge as its new assistant music director, starting in January. Collette says he is confident the... (The Australian)
Don't break windows, don't litter, don't expect that alone to stopcrime Nov 29, 2008
Writing for the Australian Institute of Criminology in 1999, P.N. Grabosky noted that New York's then recent crime decline (which also occurred in a lot of cities that did not apply the theory) was influenced by many other factors, such as the improved economy, the reduction of crack cocaine use, demographic changes and restricted access to handguns by teenagers. Other important changes to policing at the time included providing local patrol commanders with better intelligence and making them... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Water backflip to hurt French firm Nov 29, 2008
Following a series of reports in The Australian, the Government this week backed down from plans to begin pumping 60 megalitres a day of recycled waste water to Brisbane's Wivenhoe Dam from next February or March, rising to 230ML later in the year ... The Australian reported this week that Veolia and the Queensland government-owned Western Corridor Recycled Water company were funding the $2 ... In The Australian Today. (The Australian)
Tamworth declared a disaster zone Nov 29, 2008
November 29, 2008 07:37pm AEDT. TAMWORTH has been declared a natural disaster zone after severe flooding trapped people in their homes and cars and cut the town in two. (The Australian)
More funds for primary schools Nov 29, 2008
At the meeting of the Council of Australian Governments in Canberra today, the commonwealth will offer the states and territories $14 billion for public schools over the next four years, half the amount provided to non-government schools in a separate agreement ... Australian Primary Schools Principal Association president Leonie Trimper welcomed the boost to primary school funding, saying it was meaningful funding that schools could use to hire a school counsellor or literacy specialist ... In... (The Australian)
Emergency department reforms 'daft' Nov 29, 2008
November 29, 2008 01:02am AEDT. Emergency department reforms 'daft. (The Australian)
$7.7bn will still leave hospitals short of beds Nov 29, 2008
Australian Medical Association president Rosanna Capolingua said yesterday the offer acknowledged the need to increase the base funding to public hospitals and indexation rates ... Canberra and the states and territories are under intense pressure to deliver on their promises to fix public hospitals, with today's Council of Australian Governments meeting to set the benchmark for health funding for the next five years ... In The Australian Today. (The Australian)
Skin cancer alert raises alarm Nov 29, 2008
" Shumack says any patient who wants to ensure they go to a responsible and well-trained skin cancer doctor should ask their local GP, who would be aware of which colleagues in the area were most respected -- and which to avoid. Three years ago Toowoomba GP Peter Bourne founded the Skin Cancer Society of Australia in an explicit drive to improve standards in the sector, which was largely outside the accreditation and other regulatory regimes run by bodies such as the Royal Australian College of... (The Australian)
Five arrested in London over Beijing ticket scam Nov 28, 2008
FIVE people said to be behind a worldwide Olympics ticket scam, which left thousands of people including Australians out of pocket, have been arrested in London ... Australians hoping to be spectators in Beijing lost almost $100,000 in the scam, including a Queensland man who reportedly forked out $46,000 for tickets ... In The Australian Today. (The Australian)
Baz steals the president Nov 28, 2008
Welcome to Herald Sun. November 28, 2008 12:00am. (Melbourne Herald Sun)
Late bloom is simply child's play Nov 28, 2008
Benjamin rejects the complaint by fellow Australian Stretton that his time at Covent Garden was undermined by British antagonism towards his colonial background ... In her first performances in Australia since Thomas breathed new life into her career, Benjamin will dance three times in Manon with the Australian Ballet, and the choice of a partner caused some nerves ... She was contemplating taking a partner from London but Australian Robert Curran "really, really wanted to do it and I just... (The Australian)
Australian airlines offer fare waivers for travellers to Thailand Nov 28, 2008
AUSTRALIAN airlines are offering short-term fare waivers as they continue to cancel or reroute flights after civil unrest closed the second airport in Bangkok. Protesters forced the closure ofBangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday, stranding 3000 tourists and throwing the travel plans of thousands more into chaos. (The Australian)
Fallen Digger 'a man of integrity' Nov 28, 2008
THE Australian soldier killed in an Afghanistan explosion was a man of "integrity and determination", say those who knew him ... Lt Fussell was a member of the Sydney-based 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and was conducting a dismounted patrol when he and his team were struck by the device ... "He would be the sort of young man to do whatever he could for the benefit of others, for his community, for his family, for his country.'' He said Lt Fussell was an accomplished squash, rugby and... (The Australian)
Brooke Satchwell, boyfriend David Gross on flight out of Mumbai Nov 28, 2008
Satchwell was one of the few Australians who had been able to flee the country, Ms Linsten said. "From what I know, yes (she is one of the few Australians to leave). From what I've been told, but I haven't been told a lot," she said ... In The Australian Today. (The Australian)
American David Watson indicted for honeymoon murder of wife Tina Nov 28, 2008
The presentation of the indictment will allow Australian authorities to proceed with efforts to extradite Mr Watson ... In The Australian Today ... Also in The Australian. (The Australian)
Malcolm Turnbull says Doug Markell played leading role in his ... Nov 28, 2008
Doug Markell, 71, former deputy mayor of Woollahra in Sydney's east - part of Mr Turnbull's electorate - is one of two Australians confirmed killed in the Indian city attacks ... "Our prayers and condolences go to his family as indeed they go to all the families of those killed or injured in this dreadful, murderous outbreak of terrorism. "The events in Mumbai remind us that wherever terrorism occurs, Australians are challenged ... " Mr Turnbull said deaths in India and the death of an... (The Australian)
The Australian scoops three Walkley Awards Nov 28, 2008
THE Australian newspaper last night claimed three prestigious Walkley Awards for excellence in journalism. Tony Koch, The Australian's chief reporter in Queensland, and Padraic Murphy, North Queensland correspondent, took out the award for print news reporting for their story "No Jail For Rape of Girl, 10" published in December last year ... The Australian's Northern Territory-based writer Paul Toohey won the Walkley for best Coverage of Indigenous Affairs for his Quarterly Essay "Last Drinks". (The Australian)
Thorpe moves to scuttle doping claims Nov 28, 2008
Thorpe provided the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) with evidence and records which he hopes will explain why he returned abnormal levels to two banned substances from a urine sample he gave in May 2006. An ASADA spokesman confirmed the agency had received the full and final submission from the five-time Olympic swimming champion, who has staunchly claimed he is innocent of claims first reported almost six months ago. (Yahoo News -- Swimming)
Reality bites the world Nov 28, 2008
Skinner managed to give an engaging presentation to the Australian British Chamber of Commerce despite the events of the previous night ... Perhaps naturally for a dual-listed company which has 78 per cent of its register in London and only 22 per cent in Australia, it has always had a lower profile here than its rival the "Big Australian" ... Rio's Australian shareholders - although not its British shareholders - were again pressuring it to start talking with BHP as its bargaining power was... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Education is key - so why are we failing? Nov 28, 2008
It is easy to understand the enthusiasm of those like Helen Ridout, CEO of the Australian Industry Group, when she calls for business participation in remedying the educational calamity. But when she says ''Employment is the end game of education and training,'' watch out. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
No comment on reports GM will build a 4-cylinder in Adelaide Nov 28, 2008
"We firmly believe there are many driving solutions for Australian motorists that reduce our dependence on foreign oil, making motoring better for the environment and more affordable for everyday families," he said. "However, we don't comment on industry speculation. We do not have an announcement to make." South Australian Premier Mike Rann said a series of initiatives were needed to secure the future of Australia's car manufacturing industry ... In The Australian Today. (The Australian)
Roxon dumps 'anti-gay' men's health ambassador Nov 28, 2008
Australian Coalition for Equality spokesman Rodney Croome said Ms Roxon had been disingenuous in professing no knowledge of Mr Marsh's views ... Mr Marsh told The Australian that he still respected Ms Roxon, despite his feelings of betrayal over being dumped from the ambassadorship ... In The Australian Today. (The Australian)
Australians Debate New Drinking Bans, Taxes Nov 27, 2008
Others say the government's war on alcohol abuse is ineffective or unnecessary a cheap political ploy based on a grossly exaggerated stereotype of Australians ... "This feat was to endear me to some of my fellow Australians more than anything else I ever achieved," Hawke wrote of the 1955 stunt in his autobiography ... In March, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a 55-million-Australian-dollar ($34. (Fox News)
Down Under with Hugh Jackman Nov 27, 2008
And he handed out Australian cookies called Tim Tams to the already ... But Luhrmann also made Jackman work on a broad Northern Australian dialect for The Drover ... Luhrmann read everything about Australian history he could get his hands on, until he knew his story would include both the Stolen Generation and the Japanese bombing of Darwin. (Variety)
Sex fiend grandpa Michael John Neal detained in Melbourne Nov 27, 2008
In The Australian Today. James Glynn THE pipeline for Australian business investment remained solid in the third quarter, raising hopes the economy will avoid a recession ... Also in The Australian. (The Australian)
Uni takes on student binge drinking culture Nov 27, 2008
AEDT = Australian Eastern Daylight Time which is 11 hours ahead of UTC (Greenwich Mean Time). (ABC Online)
Rennie Ellis: No Standing Only Dancing Nov 26, 2008
With concise composition and wry humour, he photographed the prelude to the 1974 Australian rules grand final as Richmond hard man Robert McGhie sits on the MCG boundary, adjusting his shoes while dragging on a freshly lit cigarette. I never had the chance to ask Ellis whether he regarded himself as a photojournalist. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Search: Recruitment jobs Nov 26, 2008
Now is a great time to join this very busy award winning Australian executive agency ... Study online, in your own time, with a leading Australian university. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Oh give me a home where the cowboys and kangaroos roam Nov 26, 2008
twaddle about Australia as a land of "adventure and romance." Before you have a chance to harrumph indignantly about the oppression of the Aborigines (or sneer at the country's early imported criminal population), the text has skipped to the topic of "the stolen generations," the children of indigenous peoples who, from the 19th century well into the 20th, were forcibly separated from their cultures by white Australians in the name of God and civilization ... Though "Australia" is narrated by a... (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Violence fears over credit crunch Nov 25, 2008
Page last updated at 06:48 GMT, Tuesday, 25 November 2008. The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline took nearly 14,000 calls over a 12 month period, a rise of more than 200. (BBC News -- UK)
Public to help pick poet laureate Nov 25, 2008
Snow bonanza for Australian skiers. On patrol in Afghan market. (BBC News -- UK)
Uni students struggling more than ever: report Nov 25, 2008
I never took into account the sexism, ageism, racism of many Australians ... In much the same way that I feel Australians should have the right to free medical care, we are a very rich country, we used to have (near) free University education, and I for one cannot see why we cannot go back there ... Australian Postgraduate Awards are the most common, and are tax free. (ABC Online)
Grand designs Nov 24, 2008
Page last updated at 14:05 GMT, Sunday, 23 November 2008. Doha museum stakes cultural claim. (BBC News)
Tales of two continents make for a prize catch Nov 24, 2008
As guests at Fraser's Restaurant in Perth's Kings Park admired the splendid night view of the city below, West Australian Arts Minister John Day seemed to be feeling pleased and magnanimous about the whole proceedings. "Based on how the night has gone and the presence that it's had in the literary world, it adds strong weight to the argument to keep this award going as an annual event," Day enthusiastically informed The Australian ... Already, Day has announced that another generous prize in... (The Australian)
Mayor outlines key culture plans Nov 24, 2008
Page last updated at 01:05 GMT, Monday, 24 November 2008. The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has outlined plans to enhance Londoners' experience of arts and culture in the city over the next three years. (BBC News -- UK)
Internet enabled peer production necessitates a rethink about how policy and politics is done in Australia. Nov 24, 2008
Without a mass market to consume content it is very hard to sustain the capital and labour costs associated with information production - look at the one-newspaper culture of most Australian cities ... The Australian Government should be leading the way in adapting our old processes of consultation, policy making and regulation to the connected world ... The australian government is right, and indeed forward thinking, to be contemplating filtering and related issues now rather than when illicit... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
* Sports Briefs Nov 23, 2008
Immigration Minister Chris Evans said that following a review by seven eminent Australians, the Labor government had decided to modify the test, saying it should not be a general knowledge quiz. The test was introduced under former prime minister John Howard and originally included a controversial section on Australian history and culture ... Shortly before Bradmans death at the age of 92, former prime minister Howard named him as the greatest living Australian. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Faraway Downs fantasy resonates close to home Nov 23, 2008
IN HIS fabulous hyperbolic film Australia, Baz Luhrmann has leaped over the ruins of the "history wars" and given Australians a new past - a myth of national origin that is disturbing, thrilling, heartbreaking, hilarious and touching ... The superb effect of the film, reading it through the lens of post-colonial literature, is its pride in the ingenuity, bawdiness and larrikinism of Australians of Aboriginal, British, Chinese and European descent living side by side in a complicated caste system... (The Age, Australia -- Entertainment)
Readers' Comments Telco crackdown planned Nov 23, 2008
Each time we went to the TIO, were given a reference number and an Australian based Optus customer service number to call. Each time our problem was solved by a lovely lady in Adelaide within half an hour after DAYS and DAYS of getting nowhere through their overseas call centres. (Melbourne Herald Sun)
Saturday's winners and losers Nov 23, 2008
College Football: Rivals. com - College Football. (Notre Dame Sports -- Rivals.com)
Struggling Hayden's 100th game could be his last ton Nov 22, 2008
Hayden has spent considerable time mulling his options over the past year, and while he insists the fire within still burns, the fiercely proud Australian opener gave no time frame as to when it might extinguish. A first-ball dismissal yesterday - his third duck in five Tests - will have done little for Hayden's confidence, and the veteran appears to have a major decision to make at the conclusion of the Adelaide Test, his 100th. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
A barbecued chicken lunch on a lazy afternoon can really turn yourstomach Nov 22, 2008
Art Gallery of NSW to sell two Australian works for up to half what they would have been worth last year ... Australian Idol grand finalist Luke Dickens has the best prize waiting for him. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Best defence in war on junk food ads is our island home Nov 22, 2008
The average television audience of under 12s leaps from 80,000 between 4 and 5pm to 500,000 between 7 and 8pm, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, which regulates broadcasting ... Art Gallery of NSW to sell two Australian works for up to half what they would have been worth last year ... Australian Idol grand finalist Luke Dickens has the best prize waiting for him. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Wimbledon confirm move to prize money equality Nov 22, 2008
The US and Australian Opens have treated both sexes equally for several years now, while the French Open paid both singles champions the same sum for the first time last year, but the All England Club has previously refused to back down on the issue. Chief among their arguments has been the fact men play best-of-five-set contests, while women only play best-of-three, but outgoing chairman Tim Phillips has also cited club polls indicating that men's tennis gave better value for money. (Yahoo News -- Women's Issues)
What outback? Nov 22, 2008
More than 20 years after Crocodile Dundee taught us to avoid reptile-infested water holes, the next Great Australian Film is about to be unleashed on the world ... Definitely don't say anything against the local religion Australian Rules Football ... Eat Asian-Australian fusion is a mainstay, but for something a little different, snag a stool at Anise (697 Brunswick St., New Farm; 61 (7) 3358 1558; www. (Globe and Mail)
Pizza and bourbon ad leaves bad taste Nov 22, 2008
The Australian Drug Foundation's national policy manager Geoff Munro said he found the advertisements "disturbing" ... Australian Medical Association Queensland president Chris Davis described the ads as "marketing with very questionable ethics" ... Art Gallery of NSW to sell two Australian works for up to half what they would have been worth last year. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Piers Brendon's 'The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire 1781-1997' Nov 22, 2008
Every page is consistently readable and stimulating, although one can't say that every page is enjoyable, not when what is being described is the horror of the slave trade or the casual hunting down of Australian and African "natives" as if they were beasts. Today in Culture. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Review: Body Of Lies Nov 21, 2008
Australian hunk Hugh Jackman has been crowned Sexiest Man Alive for 2008 in. Madonna had fashion critics reaching for their garden shears today after the. (Mirror.co.uk)
Simon Gerrans' undershirt Nov 21, 2008
The Age Sport: Australian and international sports news, results: AFL, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Golf, Athens Olympics, Soccer, Tennis, Cricket, Basketball, Motorsport, Horse Racing, Real Footy Skip directly to ... No topping Matt Jaukovic's stunning debut in the pool for Australia - one race, one world record for the 22-year-old born in Montenegro before he became an Australian citizen in January. (The Age, Australia -- Sport)
Experts call for end of flushing toilets... Nov 21, 2008
There have already been calls by Australian experts to reduce the amount of water wasted through toilet flushing with a proposed new. Adelaide University's Water Management Professor Mike Young said the tax would encourage people to take shorter showers, recycle washing machine water or connect rainwater tanks to internal plumbing. (The Drudge Report)
Oldest Nuclear Family Found Murdered In Germany Nov 21, 2008
Posted by kdawson on Wednesday November 19, @03:16AM from the calling-csi-stone-age dept. writes "The oldest genetically identifiable nuclear family met a violent death, according to analysis of remains from 4,600-year-old burials in Germany where the broken bones of these stone age people show they were . Comparisons of DNA from one grave confirm it contained a mother, father, and their two children. 'We're really sure, based on hard biological facts not just supposing or assuming,' says Dr.... (Slashdot)
