Tuesday, September 22, 2009

dust storms were common in Sydney decades ago

The science behind the dust storm
University of Sydney physicist Tony Monger says dust storms were common in Sydney decades ago but have been relegated more to rural parts of the state in recent times.

Dust-storms

A century of climate extremes in Australia
Dust-storms

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

ALP past - ALP now


Volume II – The Government and the People, 1942–1945 (1st edition, 1970)
Chapter 9 – The Last Year – June 1944–June 1945
TO HELL WITH THE SIGNAL!
Scorfield in Bulletin (Sydney), 21 Mar 1945
Even before the war ended there were signs of a Labour Government's plans for socialisation and disregard of contrary views. Chifley, in March 1945—a locomotive driver before entering politics—disregards the warning gestures of signalman Menzies.

Telstra shareholder Ric Smith is alarmed about the Rudd government's plan to force the telecommunications giant to split its retail and wholesale network.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

It is my melancholy duty...

AUSTRALIA ENTERS THE WAR

Once the news that Britain was at war had been accepted as authentic all other action was consequential. The Executive Council approved of the prepared proclamation declaring a state of war to exist and at 9.15 p.m. from the room of the Postmaster-General at the Commonwealth Offices, Melbourne, Mr Menzies announced over every national and commercial broadcasting station in Australia:
It is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that, in consequence of a persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war. No harder task can fall to the lot of a democratic leader than to make such an announcement.
Great Britain and France, with the cooperation of the British Dominions, have struggled to avoid this tragedy. They have, as I firmly believe, been patient; they have kept the door of negotiation open; they have given no cause for aggression. But in the result their efforts have failed and we are, therefore, as a great family of nations, involved in a struggle which we must at all costs win, and which we believe in our hearts we will win.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009