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Monthly Archives: July 2023

Read more about the article Rob the Ranter in 1861 Newcastle, NSW
The Herald article from 1993 included an imaginative artist's impression.

Rob the Ranter in 1861 Newcastle, NSW

Rob the Ranter first crossed my path 30 years ago. That was when my attention was drawn by the then archivist at the University of Newcastle, Denis Rowe, to the existence of an interesting three-part serial article that had been published in The Newcastle Chronicle in 1862. The article was titled Reminiscences of a Three-month sojourn in Newcastle, and was written by an anonymous figure who used the pen-name “Rob the Ranter”. Impressed by the content of the piece, I persuaded the editor ofThe Newcastle Herald to re-publish an edited version – again in three parts…

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Read more about the article Lessons from nature documentaries

Lessons from nature documentaries

Nature documentaries have shown me a lot. Not just about how plants and animals live, although that’s the foundation of it. The big things I’ve learnt from watching nature documentaries are real zoom-out insights: things that I can ponder on a larger scale and use in contemplation of my own life and surroundings. First of all, the thing I always noted about DNA-based life on Earth is the imperative for organisms and communities of organisms to win a surplus of energy from their surroundings. It’s obvious: you can’t grow and reproduce without an energy surplus. You…

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Read more about the article Carrington Slipways and the Laverick family
A young Jack Laverick (left), the launch of Aurora Australis and Don Laverick (right)

Carrington Slipways and the Laverick family

During the 1970s the Newcastle firm of Carrington Slipways was seen as part of the strong backbone of NSW industry. Over some decades the firm, founded and owned by the Laverick family, had invested in excellent ship-building and repair facilities and had developed a strong skills base. Carrington Slipways launched about 120 ships of various types before the government wound back protection for the Australian ship-building and repair industry. In its last years, culminating with its closure in 1990, Carrington Slipways campaigned to be part of Australia's big submarine and frigate contracts. These contracts were subject…

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