04 Wednesday Nov 2020
Posted in Opinion
When I first came to Australia the Melbourne Cup was a BIG thing.
It was ‘the race that stopped the nation’ and for many years I got swept up by it all. I would have a flutter, maybe dress up and/or go to an event.
But over the past few years that’s really dropped off.
Now I see more reports on how the horses are treated and people’s growing revulsion to the whole thing.
21 Wednesday Oct 2020
I love reading and over the past few years I’ve been trying to do more – particularly reading Australian novelists.
But there are some things creeping into Australian writing that I’m not at all comfortable with…
01 Thursday Oct 2020
Posted in Journalism, Media, Opinion
I’m the first to call out poor or sloppy journalism… it’s just unacceptable and does irreparable damage to the industry.
But at a time when we need good journalism more than ever, it irks me when I see unwarranted criticism from journalists themselves.
30 Tuesday Apr 2019
What is it about people these days that makes them think it’s their absolute right to speed?
I’m no goody-two-shoes but for some reason I get that a speed limit is just that – a limit – deemed to be the fastest you can travel safely on a certain road, in normal conditions.
A few years back in New Zealand we saw numerous road signs saying “it’s not a target”.
But that’s not how most people treat speed limits.
13 Thursday Dec 2018
Posted in Opinion
I get really frustrated when travelling overseas that you constantly have your water bottle taken off you and then have to buy another one.
Plastic pollution anyone?
So on a recent student field trip to Indonesia I set out to see if you can get through all the security checks etc with just one bottle…
Continue reading »17 Tuesday Jul 2018
A blog post about New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has been doing the rounds on social media, and at a glance it’s great.
“She’s 37. She’s the youngest female head of government in the world. She’s also the first western woman to give birth while in power.”
But then with just one line it loses the point it’s trying to make.
28 Friday Jul 2017
I’m not sure where it stems from, but I have a real problem with the word fine.
It’s just one of those words that says… nothing really.
And while I’m the first to advocate clear and simple speech and writing, fine just doesn’t cut it.
11 Monday Apr 2016
Posted in Opinion
I’ve always been a person who likes to give to charities, whether it’s a major international organisation helping a country after some natural disaster or a local fund trying to help disadvantaged children.
I like to think I do my bit.
But I get really angry when, after I’ve donated to said charity, I then get bombarded with mail asking for more.
Not only that but the mail will often contain some ‘gift’ to make me feel guilty if I don’t give again.
It might be notelets, a keyring, Christmas cards or a fridge magnet – but frankly, it’s a waste of money.
09 Wednesday Dec 2015
Posted in Journalism, Language, Media, Opinion
There’s nothing worse as a journalist than a mistake creeping into your copy and then published for all to see in print or online.
It would appear to be much easier to correct online, although realistically once live there’s no real recall.
It may have been sent out on distribution lists or caught by screengrab or a smartphone photo and shared ruthlessly on social media (yes, I’ve done it too).
And if it’s in print – it’s there to stay.
26 Thursday Mar 2015
Posted in Opinion
I’m not really into this whole gratitude thing.
That doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for all the good stuff in my life, just that I don’t feel obliged to write down three things every day and then share it with everyone on social media.
If that works for you then all well and good, it’s just not my thing.
But this morning I just had to stop and really take in everything around me.