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Monthly Archives: May 2022

Read more about the article Motor buses in Newcastle, by Ken Magor
Buses of Emelin Bros, Swansea

Motor buses in Newcastle, by Ken Magor

This article was written by the late Ken Magor, probably in the 1960s, as part of a larger piece he titled "Destination Newcastle". Ken had a deep fascination for buses (and trams, trains and fire engines!) and a love of obscure detail. I've edited the article as lightly as possible. First motor bus records show that a Mr Gee commenced a service from the old Hamilton Council Chambers, Beaumont Street, via Tudor Street and Hunter Street to a spot near the Newcastle Hospital in 1918. George King operated the first motor bus to Tighes Hill and…

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Read more about the article Main points from the election result
Cartoon by Peter Lewis

Main points from the election result

My main reaction to the result of the Australian federal election was intense relief. Not so much because we will have a Labor government, but because we no longer are obliged to endure the incompetent, destructive malice of the Morrison brand of Liberal rule. To me, there were a few major points worth noting from this election. One important aspect was the utter failure of Clive Palmer’s lunatic party to achieve anything at all, despite the money the billionaire threw at the election. The failure of his mad puppet Craig Kelly to be re-elected was very…

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Read more about the article Newcastle aviation history and the Walsh Island aerodrome
The Codock in Newcastle in 1934. From a glass negative.

Newcastle aviation history and the Walsh Island aerodrome

Early efforts to bring commercial aviation to Newcastle, NSW, were many, but largely unsuccessful. A push by Charles Kingsford Smith and some of his supporters to create Australia's biggest aerodrome at Walsh Island were almost successful, but fell victim to politics and - most likely - the onset of the Great Depression. The first reference I've found to a commercial air service being offered to Newcastle residents is this article in The Sydney Morning Herald on January 29, 1920, in which "Mr H. E. Broadsmith, engineer-in-chief to the Australian Engineering and Aircraft Company, who accompanied Mr…

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