January 2024 - Photo Time Tunnel

The statue of James Fletcher at the Lower Reserve, Newcastle, in 1976

James Fletcher, behind the legend, by Dulcie Hartley

Post author:Greg Ray
Post published:January 29, 2024
Post category:History Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Post comments:0 Comments

My late friend and amateur historian Dulcie Hartley published several books during her lifetime, but one book she was very proud of never made it into print. This was her book about James Fletcher, Newcastle's famous "miners' advocate" - the only man in the city to be commemorated with a statue. Miner, politician and newspaper proprietor, Fletcher was immensely popular and influential, and Dulcie was fascinated by him. After Dulcie's death, her daughter Venessa entrusted me with the manuscript, and I have slowly transcribed it. What follows are the preface and first chapter of Dulcie's six-chapter…

Mount Hudson, past Rose Brook, Hunter Valley, NSW. Photo by Doug Brown.

A gallery of motorcycle photos

Post author:Greg Ray
Post published:January 6, 2024
Post category:History Land transport Vintage Photographs and Photography
Post comments:2 Comments

Rummaging among collections and albums of old photographs and negatives I very often find images of motorcycles. And from talking to old-timers I gather that motorbikes were seen for many years as a relatively inexpensive means of transport. When coupled with a sidecar they were cheaper than a small car - both to buy and to run. That's not to say they didn't have an aura of glamour about them. Here's a selection of some vintage motorcycle photos, gathered from a variety of sources. It's got pedals, but it's also got a motor. Does that make…

Tribute to John Pilger, journalistic giant

Post author:Greg Ray
Post published:January 2, 2024
Post category:- Politics, economics etc Greg Ray's Writing
Post comments:1 Comment

The death of John Pilger, as the calendar flicked over from the ugly year 2023 to its apprehensively awaited successor, is a blow that lovers of the truth will keenly feel. A powerful voice for humanity, reason, kindness, truth and decency has gone into the silence. There are others left behind, but none quite like Pilger. Incorruptible, fearless, eloquent and tireless: a perfect journalistic combination of ruthless tenacity and deep, eloquent compassion. Thank goodness for his towering legacy. I hope his family, or somebody else, maintains his website – mirrored and protected – for the benefit…

A target-rich environment April 7, 2024
Success: the convict ship that wasn’t March 22, 2024
Nine decades of memories March 12, 2024
James Fletcher, by Dulcie Hartley. Chapter 3 March 4, 2024
Childhood memories of The Newcastle Show March 2, 2024