WHITLAM REMEMBERED

In the Darwin CBD ,where  accommodation for  Charles Darwin University students is  being constructed, is  a   large sign showing  former   Australian Prime  Minister  Gough Whitlam   pouring  soil  into  the hand  of  Gurindji leader   Vincent  Lingiari , symbolically  marking the  handover  of   land  from   the  Vestey   owned  Wattie   Creek cattle station  in 1975.

As a  result of  this  major step  in  Aboriginal  land rights,  Paul Kelly and  Kev Carmody wrote From  little things, big things grow  . Darwin agronomist  and  activist   Robert  Wesley-Smith   was present  at  the  historic  event  and   took   photos , one below.

Wes also provided a bottle of  champagne used  in the  ceremony .

During  the  recent  Magnetic  island ALP  Christmas  party a toast was  drunk  to  mark  Gough  Whitlam's  election   as   PM  on  December  5 ,1972. 

DARWIN BOOK LAUNCH

 Shirley Collins ,seated, with  a great - granddaughter , at  the launch  of  her book  My  Country , My  Life, written with  Deborah Bisa  and  Matthew Stephen ,in the Dixon Gallery . Standing is  the Northern Territory Deputy Chief  Minister  Nicole  Manison . Photo by  Robert  Wesley-Smith. 

OLD DAM SITE

Magnetic  Island .

SANTA TO NUKE AUSTRALIA

Kings  Cross  Whisper  Non-Fake Scoop . 

In a bid to speed up  Australia  being  armed to  the  teeth  with  nuclear weapons , Santa Claus  has  kindly  offered  to   help  select   aspiring  Aussie  youngsters  wanting  to  take  on  $20,000 a year university scholarship  courses  in   atomic  science .

Year 12 students keen to sign  up for the course to service the nuclear submarines   that  will  call  Down Under   via  the  AUKUS  agreements  with  the  United Kingdom and  America , can let  Santa  know by  placing  a slice of  Yellow Cake  and a jug  of  Bundy rum  for  him  near  the  chimney ,close to  the   empty , glowing   stockings .

It has been estimated that  by the time  Australia gets  eight  nuclear  subs , jovial  old  Santa  will  be in  a  beaut  New  Zealand  retirement village , unable  to  recall  his  name ,  allergic to plum puddings , his  sled  replaced  by  an  EV,  the  elves  receiving  the  old  age  pension .

AN ISLAND OF ARTISTS

 

ESCAPE THE GROWING ECONOMIC DEPRESSION BY SAILING AWAY

 

HOME IN TIME FOR MUSICAL CHRISTMAS

After a hectic period of  house building, Yellow-breasted Sunbirds have moved into their hooded nest, built  from  a wondrous collection of  bark, leaves , dried  grass  bound  together  by cobwebs .The interior  is  lined with soft  feathers , fine grass. Reconstructed  on  the slight  remains of an old nest on  a piece of rope , it  is  near  a  back veranda  wind chime . Thirsty, long- billed  bird  seen looking  out .

Vallis  photos.