News Archive

British outraged at ill-fated Aussie prank

British outraged at ill-fated Aussie prank

Less than 48 hours after writing an article for MegaphoneOz criticising the English media’s reaction to Kate Middleton’s pregnancy, I find myself discussing the extraordinary behaviour of the Australian media as well. The British public is outraged at a prank call made by …

Sydney pole dancers win national title

Australia’s Got Talent’s  Matthew Shields shot to fame overnight for his creative Aboriginal dance style on the pole and his performances have encouraged men to get involved in the female-dominated pole dance. But not many people know he now has a dance partner. …

Gurruwiling Eclipse Festival

While tens of thousands of people headed to Cairns to chase the total solar eclipse on November 14, the Yolngu communities around Gurruwiling, East Arnhem Land, hosted a smaller but magnificent event. Gurruwiling, better known as the Arafura Swamp, is where the …
China welcomes Australia’s vision

China welcomes Australia’s vision

Australia’s Asian Century White Paper was welcomed as a great gift for China’s new president Xi Jinping in the Chinese media which also dubbed Australia a “Reform Vanguard” in the second Industrial Revolution led by Asia. The White Paper, which aims to …
Protests against austerity measures erupt in Europe

Protests against austerity measures erupt in Europe

Europe is united more than ever, in protest: Spain, Portugal, Greece and now Italy. Thousands of European workers, trade unions, pensioners and students moved to oppose all governments that support austere policies in response to the economic crisis, without “first depriving themselves …
The man with the floral tattoos

The man with the floral tattoos

GEOFF OSTLING IS often asked to name his favourite flower. The plants he likes best are big, fleshy flowers such as the hippeastrum, or showy, exuberant plants that pop with colour. As Geoff opens the front door of his Petersham home and …
China’s Gen Z laughs off political transition

China’s Gen Z laughs off political transition

China’s yuppies celebrated Barack Obama’s win in the American election on social media, but are showing less passion about their own country’s new leadership transition. While the new president Xi Jinping and the other six Central Committee members were announced on November …
Finding relief: teenagers facing the abyss

Finding relief: teenagers facing the abyss

Natalie* is 20 years old. She used to have blonde hair. Now it is fading to brown and thinning. She was 15 when she first contemplated suicide. The urge became so intense she was hospitalised. What she went through no-one should have to …