China

Zao shang hao

In 1968 I wrote a military thesis on Mao Zedong. While researching I discovered that China was drawing me into its world, its history and culture, and its future.

Back then I declared: China is the future!

In 2004 I made my first of seven journeys to China and I have been back every year since.

China is an incredible place. Make no mistake about this: China is so interesting and varied that a thousand journeys could not cover the magic and finger-tingling excitement of its peoples and places.

As for Chinese people ... no written description could account for the immense satisfaction I get from simply walking in China and meeting Chinese citizens.

You never feel lonely in China. Strangers become pengyoumen [friends] at the drop of a hat.

No wonder Chairman Mao was inspired to work for the good of the common man, for in China humanity is displayed in all its generous proportions.

Zai jian

RANC

I was publicly and ceremonially caned on the posterior in 1961 at the Royal Australian Naval College, Jervis Bay, for admitting to smoking a Benson and Hedges cigarette, a cigarette that had been offered to me by an officer instructor, and had been a reward for baby sitting his kids.
Only two of us admitted to smoking while the majority of our class of 32 failed to own up to that criminal act.
As a matter of naval history, 8 of the 32 were killed while training; 3 in Voyager and five on Hayman Island.

Two Indigenous Worlds in Oz

Totally agree with Prof Langton. Two different worlds exist almost inside of the other and one wonders where Prof Behrendt has been since she seems not to recognise the two worlds.

The Australian
15 April 2011

Revolutions are things that go round and round ad nauseum

Revolutions are exactly that: revolutions, revs, things that go round and round, repeating themselves, ad nauseum

Twitter
8 April 2011

Oz ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE

I was a cadet midshipman [1960-1] at RANC Jervis Bay. Out of a class of 32, 8 were killed on duty by 1964. I was fortunate enough to be made aware of the iniquities of service life when I was publicly and ceremonially caned for owning up to smoking a Benson and Hedges cigarette. Two of us owned up when the entire class was also guilty.
Why was I fortunate? I resigned from the navy. I am alive, am a non-smoker and am very sympathetic to the young female cadet.

The Australian
7 Apr 2011

Life Savers: Lolly or Lunatic

Anyone look at the character John Fowler on Home and Away and not think he looks like a gaudy clown?

7 April 2011
Telegraph