Tag: Australian

Review: On The Chin

Reading Time: < 1 minute

On The Chin
On The Chin written by Alex McClintock
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Don’t know where I even learned of this book, but I’m so glad it was on my list for so long, and that I’ve now read it.

A masterpiece from start to end, it’s my ideal type of story. Weaving a personal tale of achievement with respectable self-deprecation, and a fond recall of the history and essence of a sport – one that every uninitiated person has an opinion on. Alex doesn’t hide the unflattering and worrying side of boxing.

It’s all clearly described with balance, with the added authority of someone who has gone a few rounds, but didn’t need to.

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Review: Too Much Lip

Reading Time: < 1 minute

On The Chin
Too Much Lip written by Melissa Lucashenko
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Getting through this story may have taken me several library loans and renewals. But definitely entertaining and thrilling throughout. Loved the characters, despite their flaws – even recognised quite a few. Life is gritty, life is rarely a complete fairytale. As I say (or maybe it was Wesley Snipes): Always bet on black.

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Review: Dark Emu

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Dark Emu
Dark Emu written by Bruce Pascoe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think everyone should read this amazing book. Dark Emu is filled with fascinating well-referenced revelations, to shed light on a contrary view of pre-colonised Australia. Our Aboriginal ancestors may have been more than primitive nomadic hunter-gatherers to have survived so well for 10,000s of years. Sadly that logic and the accounts from original white settlers has proven too much of a shock to some.

It’s quite a poignant time to complete Pascoe’s book. I read it amid the Australian Federal Police’s enquiry and rejection to a (Federal MP endorsed) claim that Bruce is a fraud and no true Aboriginal. We’re also in a time of unprecedented bush fires, where Bruce has been volunteering on the front-line to save his community.

Tomorrow is Australia Day, or Invasion Day depending on your viewpoint. My wish is that the detractors, who aim to quash an Australia or history which doesn’t align with their comfortable narrative, could open their eyes and read a book like Dark Emu.

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Review: Growing Up Aboriginal In Australia

Reading Time: < 1 minuteGrowing Up Aboriginal in Australia
Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia edited by Dr Anita Heiss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a wonderful book Growing Up Aboriginal Australia is.
Full disclosure, my amazing Mum wrote one of the stories featured.

It’s a touch sad to finally complete it. I’ve enjoyed flicking through and reading one or two of the stories from time to time at random.

This is apparently a sign of a good book.

Some of the accounts brought joy, truly brightening my day with appreciation. Others shared a more solemn account worthy of reflection.
I acknowledge the strength of all the authors putting their very personal stories to paper.

It made me think deeply about my own view of growing up Aboriginal in Australia.

For that I am grateful.

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Aussie fined for Dubai drunkiness – nope, not me

Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn local (Dubai) news, as well as back home, Australian football (soccer) player Craig Moore has proven to be a total dipstick here in Dubai by starting a “brawl” with a taxi driver over a 50 dirham fare. The story goes, he also assaulted the arresting officer.

Thankfully for him after getting bail, he was let off lightly with a 1000 dirham fine (just under AUD$300).

Not a good way to make Australia proud. Although some friends here from other nations think it’s unsurprising – as if it’s an Australian pastime.

It turns out Craig has quite a bit of property interests here in the Middle East – or perhaps he used to.

The lucrative Australian accent

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe majority of web advertisements are boring. But every now and again one captures my interest – usually for the wrong reasons.

This happened just now, when I was enlightened about a programme to learn how to speak with an Australian accent to help with job prospects. Being an Australian myself, perhaps I could pick it up quicker than the 15 minutes per day they suggest it requires.

Don’t let your accent hold you back, get the job, salary and the recognition that you deserve.

It’s interesting, I thought the Australian accent could have the same issues.

http://www.speakmoreclearly.com/australianaccent?gclid=CMKeocullqICFQceZwodYGeNFg