‘Taronga Zoo‘ by Pat Magee (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Posted on February 24, 2020 by moondrift Australia is facing a crisis on so many levels. The worst natural disaster in its history has seen fires break as early as mid-August 2019 near Bega in New South Wales. Today we have been informed that the East Gippsland bushfire in Victoria[…]
It’s nice to start the day on a positive note. I started this morning feeling a sense of privilege being out in this beautiful sunshine, knowing that the approaching winter is not always going to be welcome for everyone. I personally like winter for the snowfields, but not much else. It makes me appreciate just[…]
Great white shark By Terry Goss, CC BY 2.5 Introduction In 2017 there have been five confirmed fatal shark-human encounters globally[1] (Tracking Sharks, 2017). Three out of 11 shark species associated with human fatality are believed responsible for 86% of fatalities; great white shark, tiger shark and bull shark (ISAF, 2011). Holland et al. (1999)[…]
‘Inconvenient DNA’ Image: author’s own. This essay explores the premise that: ‘the purpose of investigative journalism is to hold powerful interests to account and highlight systemic corruption or breakdown’. I review two works to support this statement: Sarah Koenig’s ‘Serial’ podcasts, an investigation into the murder of teenager, Hae Min Lee and subsequent conviction of[…]
This old rocking chair has been intent on tripping me up for seven years. Summer in Victoria is usually a scorching, dry heat, and so leaving it on a north-facing bull-nose veranda is not ideal, even though these chairs tend to add serenity and warmth to porch settings. Here it’s on the back porch –[…]
Anas discors…Pato media luna by Sergio Niebla (CC BY-SA 2.0) The following essay reviews two prominent cases that demonstrate the importance for communications practitioners to consider the legal implications of their professional undertakings. In Australia, the media and communications industry encompasses multiple platforms in its delivery of information to the public. It is experiencing rapid[…]
Australian Grayling by Codman at the English Language Wikipedia (Photo: Nathan Litjens), (CC BY-SA 3.0) Originally published 9th January, 2017… According to fisheries literature, the Australian Grayling smells like cucumber. Who knew? Who really cares? This will determine if it slips quietly into extinction. The salt-sensitive fish inhabits coastal rivers of south-east Australia. It migrates[…]
This essay explores the premise that: ‘Literary journalism demands immersion in complex, difficult subjects. The voice of the writer surfaces to show that an author is at work’. I refer to two book-length examples of the true-crime sub-genre in support of this statement. Beginning with Repeat Offender, written by veteran Las Vegas detective Bradley[…]
