Another great story Hugh ..enjoyed it immensely. In the mid 70's my wife and I were getting a business going, and I used to travel from Rockhampton to Mackay at night after finishing in Rockhampton. Always carried a sawn off shotgun under the seat of our old Valiant AP6 station wagon as we had jewellery on board, and there had been a spate of crimes committed along the highway, including a horrible murder during that time. Keep them coming Hugh, and Happy New Year to you and yours..Cheers, Bob.
Just finished reading "An Unusual Friendship" and found myself laughing out loud. How times have changed. Today when a politician is being asked a question you will often hear the cautionary pause and out will come a rather damp reply.
It gets even more interesting. Annerley in the early 40's, both of us in the Army Cadet Corps in the 50's, and now, Singapore in '68. The Kangaroo Club, and their steak sandwich?
(I was working oil exploration on Borneo. Work six weeks, then a two week 'break' in Singapore, for two years.)
Very interesting and enlightening anecdotes. For all his so called arrogance, Whitlam remembered Jack and his family and showed genuine interest in them. Whitlam changed Australia for the better. Jack and Hugh and other journos were close witnesses to this change.
I guess everyone now is avoiding a social media pile on... whereas if they hadn't joined these foreign organisations they wouldn't have to limit themselves so.
Thanks for confirming the shotgun story Bob. I'm sure people in Syd-Melb-Canberra will think I'm making things up.
Happy New Year,
Hugh
Yes Joan, there are no Whitlams or Killens around today -- and maybe there won't be again.
I like that phrase "smooth balm". That's my object when writing.
Hugh
That's a very good question. Any answers out there?
Probably because Murdoch didn't control all the news back then and journalists like Hugh Lunn actually reported the news without bias!!!!
Another great story Hugh ..enjoyed it immensely. In the mid 70's my wife and I were getting a business going, and I used to travel from Rockhampton to Mackay at night after finishing in Rockhampton. Always carried a sawn off shotgun under the seat of our old Valiant AP6 station wagon as we had jewellery on board, and there had been a spate of crimes committed along the highway, including a horrible murder during that time. Keep them coming Hugh, and Happy New Year to you and yours..Cheers, Bob.
Very good. And insightful.
Compared to the harem scarem of today's social media such writing is like a
smooth balm. Congratulations.
Just finished reading "An Unusual Friendship" and found myself laughing out loud. How times have changed. Today when a politician is being asked a question you will often hear the cautionary pause and out will come a rather damp reply.
Great story Hugh. The Unusual Friendship reminded me of other stories of a world of communication that existed before the technology we have today.
It gets even more interesting. Annerley in the early 40's, both of us in the Army Cadet Corps in the 50's, and now, Singapore in '68. The Kangaroo Club, and their steak sandwich?
(I was working oil exploration on Borneo. Work six weeks, then a two week 'break' in Singapore, for two years.)
I think you've been following me around -- and now on substack!
I LOVED Singapore.
Hugh
Very interesting and enlightening anecdotes. For all his so called arrogance, Whitlam remembered Jack and his family and showed genuine interest in them. Whitlam changed Australia for the better. Jack and Hugh and other journos were close witnesses to this change.
How come politicians were more articulate less glib less fearful to put a foot or word wrong and had more original thought then than now?
I guess everyone now is avoiding a social media pile on... whereas if they hadn't joined these foreign organisations they wouldn't have to limit themselves so.
Hugh