Saturday poem: The pathway finally opened

By Mahsati Ganjavi (12th century). English version by David and Sabrineh Fideler The pathway finally opened When my heart came to rule in the world of love, it was freed from both belief and from disbelief. On [more]

Pokies reform not costly and would create jobs

Industry claims that poker machine reform will cost $5 billion can only be described as fanciful, with a new analysis by The Australia Institute showing that the cost is likely to be between $171 million and $342 [more]

Aboriginal elder Senior Australian of the Year

Ninety-five-year-old Laurie Baymarrangga has been recognised as Senior Australian of the year, for her fight to protect culture, language and ecological knowledge on the Crocodile Islands. The Aboriginal elder has [more]

Abbott’s ill-considered remarks highlight need to acknowledge national day truths

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s suggestion, reiterated today, that it is time to “move on” are dismissive and unhelpful, and further mask Australia Day truths that need to be acknowledged, Acting Australian Greens [more]

Friday music: Tinariwen's Cler Achel | Playing For Change

Invasion!

The Cadigal Council last night warned residents that an invasion fleet was due to land at Eora country some time today. The fleet, believed to be from a far distant land, comprises at least 10 ships. Forward scouts [more]

Why we can't trust Gillard any more

The Prime Minister has let us all down, particularly young people. Some things transcend politics and policy and the lust for power. Truth, honesty, integrity, decency and fairness are immutable values. They are the [more]

Fortunes of a once-great now failed bowling club hinge on a door

An open letter to the Mayor and Councillors of Macedon Ranges Shire Council Dear Councillors, Please allow me the opportunity to put forward some observations as a result of the "access door" issue as mentioned in [more]

Big Mac gets bad rap in US city

Residents of America's healthiest city have reacted with anger to a decision to open a McDonald's restaurant in their midst. Loma Linda, California, which has no bottle shop and has been tobacco free for three [more]

From buffalo funerals to Tiger Balm boob jobs: memoir reveals the bizarre side of Thai life

It’s not every day that you find yourself surrounded by gun-wielding soldiers with your undies around your ankles during a drug bust in the hills of northern Thailand … but that’s exactly what happened when [more]

Holiday reading: Don't rock the boat in the army (FCM might call you 'controversial')

First published 23 June 2011 The Age has branded as 'controversial' Army prosecutor Brigadier Lyn McDade. Brigadier McDade took an unprecedented decision in early October 2010 to charge an officer and two [more]

Spineless government hiding behind the numbers in parliament: Greens

Greens' spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said yesterday that a trial of mandatory pre-commitment was a gutless substitute for real action. "The Government seems to be using a trial as a gutless [more]

Close to fisticuffs at pool meeting

Photos and story by CI photographer Matt Wobbly The Mt Alexander Shire Souncil held their Aquatic Centre information session at the Town Hall yesterday. From the charged atmosphere inside the hall you would believe [more]

Holiday reading: Pangur Ban my cat

Irish monk, ninth century I and Pangur Ban, my cat, 'Tis a like task we are at; Hunting mice is his delight, Hunting words I sit all night. Better far than praise of men 'Tis to sit with book and pen; Pangur [more]

Holiday reading: An out of body experience – a very daggy reflection on modern life

By Rita McInnes A dream woke me last night. I was walking alone in the bush (in my dream that is) when I came to a rise that was treeless. At the top of the rise I looked across the gully and saw two men with guns and [more]

An aquatic centre will NOT be built on that site

There are some very important things to be said on the issue of flooding in Castlemaine. The lower part of the town is actually built in a dam with the railway embankment forming the wall with two small spaces for [more]

Cycling life: rad bike concept from José Hurtado

Hub drive and front wheel are just the beginning of this conceptual design from Spanish designer José Hurtado. "Twist it not just a bike, is a union between people. Sometimes a change of direction in your life helps [more]

Examining the myths behind rising caesarean rates

Researchers from the University of Queensland's Centre for Mothers & Babies have explored the reasons for the rising rates of caesarean sections in Queensland. With caesarean rates increasing by 74 percent in the [more]

Saturday poem: I have always lived in Cuba

By Heberto Padilla Translated by Andrew McKenna I live in Cuba. I've always lived in Cuba. Those years of wandering the world that people have spoken of so much, are my lies, my fakes. Because I've always [more]

Holiday reading: War is a racket