Tributes
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In praise of women’s work: reflecting on International Women’s Day
Failure to appropriately value the work women do perpetuates their subordinate status. Continue reading »
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Vale James Charles Ingram AO FAIIA
James Charles Ingram AO (27 February 1928 – 15 February 2023) was a senior Australian diplomat with a lengthy, varied and significant career. Continue reading »
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Will Steffen: the dilemma of pioneer climate scientists
The name of Will Lee Steffen will stand tall as a pioneer earth systems and climate change scientist at our critical time when the life support systems of our planet are increasingly threatened. Continue reading »
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Celebrating the life of Bruce McFarlane
Humphrey McQueen started a tribute to Bruce McFarlane two years ago with the following paragraph. Continue reading »
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Jean Calder AC obituary
In a week full of politics and with a heavy focus on soccer and cricket, the ABC brought news from Gaza. News from this part of the world is usually tragic and while last week’s report was sad, it was also uplifting. Dr Jean Calder AC, an extraordinary Australian, died at Khan Younis in the Continue reading »
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Remembering Bruce Grant: An advocate of Australian self-reliant defence capability
Bruce Grant, who died in August at the great age of 97, made an extraordinary contribution, as a writer and thinker, to Australia’s understanding of itself as a nation, and our place in the world. His richly well-lived life – with its multiple incarnations as journalist, author, university lecturer, diplomat and ministerial adviser – was Continue reading »
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A feast of new reading outside the grip of corporate western media
John Menadue has drawn attention to how our views of the world are dominated by ‘white man’s media’. Continue reading »
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Memories of my brother – John Tulloh
Friends and fellow journalists are paying tributes to my brother, John Tulloh, who died at the age of 82 on the 20th August. I’d like to share the reasons why I believe he became the person he was; a loyal brother and friend, as well as a journalist who loved his job. Continue reading »
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Shinzo Abe, his wife and North Korea
Giving tribute to the deceased former Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Albanese described him as a ’true patriot.’ Continue reading »
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Vale: Stephen Darley
Stephen Darley passed away on 15th April, 2022 aged 66. He is of great loss to his family, friends and comrades and the organisations which he served with such commitment. Continue reading »
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Vale, Craig McGregor, 1933-2022
My friend and mentor, Australian journalist, writer and cultural critic Craig McGregor, died on January 22, 2022. Continue reading »
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Losing Paul Barratt
Just before his major surgery in April, Paul Barratt emailed his friends and colleagues, quoting Captain Lawrence Oates: “I am just going outside and it may be some time.” Continue reading »
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In Memory of ‘Hal’ Wootten (1922-2021)
Much has already been written about the inspiring life of Hal Wootten who passed away on July 27 at the age of 98. I do not want to recount all his achievements here but only recall my brief but brilliant encounters with Hal and his enormous contribution to understand and support the Palestinian cause. Continue reading »
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John Mant remembered
John Mant, who died on 10 July 2021 aged 84, leaves a legacy which is still in the making, especially in the field of urban planning. Continue reading »
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Be not afraid: Daniel Berrigan and his fearless nonviolence, at 100
Five years since his death and 100 since his birth, legendary priest, author, poet and activist Daniel Berrigan continues to offer wisdom and insight on living a life of creative nonviolence. Continue reading »
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Vale Edie Mayhew
Prominent Australian Dementia Advocate, Edie Mayhew, died unexpectedly but peacefully aged 69 on 23 June 2020 in Ballarat, Victoria. Continue reading »
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Vale Gary Johnston, founder and sponsor of the Submarines for Australia group
Gary Johnston sadly died after a short illness on 10 March 2021. Gary was the founder of the Submarines for Australia website and the generous sponsor of the associated research, submissions and reports published on the site. Continue reading »
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Hans Kung: a theologian for everyone
Hans Küng died last Tuesday aged 93. I had the honour of knowing him as a friend. He was a rare breed: a theologian who spoke to people of diverse beliefs and none. Continue reading »
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Memories of Chris Hurford
Chris Hurford was an old-fashioned social democrat, a true Labor man with great values who knew the labour movement could lift up the poor without hurting the rich and could support his Labor principles and his Catholic faith not on his sleeve but into action for social improvement. Continue reading »
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Obituary: Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare
With the death of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare – the man who led Papua New Guinea to independence in 1975 and became Papua New Guinea’s longest-serving member of parliament – the Pacific has lost one of its most prominent and respected leaders. Continue reading »
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Susan Ryan: a fighter for a ‘fair go’
Labor politician and lifelong proponent of equality opportunity, Susan Ryan’s commitment to social justice was fostered by years at Brigidine schools. Continue reading »
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Vale Andrew Mack
The many Australian friends and colleagues of Professor Andrew Mack will be deeply saddened to learn he passed away in Vancouver on 20 January 2021 after a year of serious illness. Continue reading »
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Vale Bishop Geoffrey Robinson
Bishop Geoffrey Robinson died on 29 December 2020 aged 83. In this subdued time of Christmas and New Year celebrations, the sombre news of his passing seems quite apposite. He was a talented, sensitive man who cherished his priestly vocation. Continue reading »
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Obituary for Bishop Geoff Robinson
Saying farewell to Bishop Geoff Robinson as we did when he died on December 29, 2020, is saying goodbye to one of the few Australian Catholic bishops with his integrity and reputation for honesty and championing the defence of the weak and the abused still intact. Continue reading »
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Anyone laughing has not heard the news. Vale Mungo.
In 2001 I reviewed Mungo MacCallum’s memoir ‘The Man Who Laughs’ (AQ 73(6), Nov-December). Although this entertaining writer appeared to have retired from political commentary, I, like so many readers, was thankful that he took up the pen for Pearls and Irritations. The review ran along the following lines. Continue reading »
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The great Mungo MacCallum is gone, and half a century goes with him
Crikey pays tribute to the veteran political commentator, wit and brilliant writer. Continue reading »
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Remembering the financial brilliance of James Wolfensohn
At a time when Australia is desperately trying to push one of our own to lead a world economic forum, it’s worth remembering James Wolfensohn, our most influential global financial figure. Continue reading »
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Ignoring diplomatic advice with disastrous consequences
Remembering Harold David Anderson OBE AO David Anderson was a meritorious Australian who brought great distinction and much honour to his country. Anderson displayed strong ethical and moral courage in his realistic pessimism over Vietnam at a time when his views were not always welcomed in Canberra. Continue reading »
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Something to think about other than that election
In the past 75 years, there have been two authors who have profoundly demonstrated the effects when language is mangled and distorted and, conversely, how to write clearly and powerfully. Continue reading »
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Homily to Susan Ryan
As we gather here in the Lady Chapel at Newman College, people are gathered in socially distant numbers at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney for the state funeral of Susan Maree Ryan. Continue reading »
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