Oz in the News Articles
December 14, 2005
Australian Convicted of Killing Backpacker
There is more to Oz news than the riots...despite never finding a body, or offering a motive, Bradley John Murdoch was sentenced to life in prison for killing Peter Falconio in the Outback in 2001 and assaulting his girlfriend, Joanne Lees. The evidence against him seemed pretty strong, but there was just enough 'what if' to make the international media salivate over the case. Australian Convicted of Killing Backpacker
December 13, 2005
Cars, windows smashed in Sydney race riots
Race riots moved into a second day in Sydney, despite hopes of reconciliation. It's made the NSW government more willing to grant extra police powers. Great. But, lest anyone get the wrong idea, Howard insists that it isn't race related. Uh huh. Neither was the whole race riot thing in LA a dozen years ago. See: Cars, windows smashed in Sydney race riots for the full article on the riots.
Bird Flu Would Stop International Travel
If the bird flu spreads (as many are predicting), Australia's health minister said to expect world travel to grind to a halt. The Pan-Asian region would especially suffer, as it...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Rioting in Sydney Suburbs
Sydney is usually a pretty calm city, as far as big cities go, but it has its fair share of racial tension. It reached a head with rioting in some...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
Accused killer claims evidence 'planted'
In the conspiracy twist that voyeurs love, the man who sits on trial for the Falconio murder claims that the evidence against him was planted by an angry former business...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Russell Crowe fined over assault
One of the South Pacific's most visible faces in Hollywood has been ordered to pay a fine and stay out of trouble. In June, Russell Crowe got into an argument...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Smoker tried to open airliner door
From the 'wow, are you serious???' notes - a French woman on a Qantas flight attempted to open a door MID FLIGHT in order to step out and have a...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
Disneyland thanks Australia for support
Americans and Japanese tourists aren't the only ones who visit Disneyland - Australians are a huge fan of the theme park system as well...or so promoters hope. A VP was...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Moonlit boat tragedy
For some reason, when people head overseas they never think about getting into a car accident, being felled by sickness or some other serious situation. A woman who was boating...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Found a fortune, now he's out of pocket
More proof that you should do as your mother taught you: a man who said he found more than 200,000 - and didn't turn it in - is facing federal...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Australia Miscellany
I often come across a number of articles that are worth sharing, but I don't have time to write a full post. Here are a couple: Lost on a journey...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Tourists urged to spy on predators
Tourists are being urged to spy on predators while traveling overseas as part of a recent crackdown on child sex-tourism. There's definitely some shock value in the promotional material here,...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Bali 9 Trials Begin
The drug-smuggling idiots are having their day in court with the start of the Bali 9 trial. They are facing the death penalty if convicted. Bali 9 Trials Begin An...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (2)
Australia gripped by Falconio mystery
Where to start with the Falconio story? You may recall, the Peter Falconio murder occured in 2001, when he and his girlfriend were attacked in the outback. She survived and...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Unkind snip outcry
Even talk shows are better in Australia - a live vasectomy is set to make news Down Under at a Sydney clinic. I really wonder what type of person is...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Losing our balance in 'Fortress Australia'
Just days before the 2005 Bali Bombings, professor George Williams penned an article about the increase of terrorism and how it affects life Down Under. It's an interesting read made...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Abandoned divers rescued after six hours in shark-infested sea
I'm sure this most recent event of leaving-divers-in-the-water is going to do great things for Queensland tourism. A couple was caught in the current flowing between two reefs and were...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Granny Killer takes evil secrets to his grave
Before Ivan Milat ravaged backpackers, pie salesman and well-to-do family man John Wayne Glover was terrorizing 80-year-old woman and strangling them with their pantyhose. Convicting of killing 6 women -...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Bali and Terrorism
Not surprisingly, after the recent bombing in Bali, Australians anxiously await a terror attack on their home soil. However, investors haven't reacted nearly as aggressively in wake of these bombings...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Australians Helping Thailand Recover
Australia is doing its fair share to help restore tourism in Thailand. In addition to spending $A1.5 million to support coastal recovery, the Thai government plans to drop 120 million...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (2)
Mystery still swirls over 2000 Aussie backpacker murder
Mystery still swirls over 2000 Aussie backpacker murder - a 25-year-old man was killed and his girlfriend repeatedly stabbed and raped while they were camping in Northern Thailand. In the...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Australians Caught in Katrina Storm and Aftermath
Halfway across the world, Australia can't escape the devastation of Katrina. The country is pledging 10 million dollars to aid in rebuilding costs. Although more than 30 Australians have been...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
The lies that kept Vivian Alvarez hidden for years
The Australian Immigrantion Department can't catch a break - no should it with stories like that of Cornelia Rau and perhaps more shocking, but less reported, that of Vivian Alvarez....Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
The lies that kept Vivian Alvarez hidden for years
The Australian Immigrantion Department can't catch a break - no should it with stories like that of Cornelia Rau and perhaps more shocking, but less reported, that of Vivian Alvarez....Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Drug Smuggling Idiots Part 3
"Two children's books and a wheelchair are alleged to have been used to smuggle more than $3 million worth of drugs into Australia in two separate incidents." The culprits in...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
More Milat
From the you-don't-have-a-shot-in-hell files emerges backpacker psycho killer Ivan Milat and his appeal. Now 60, Milat seems to think he didn't do it, despite testimony from escaped victims, and discovery...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (0)
Australia Murders
Famous backpacker murders come together with both continued press for the ultra violent Wolf Creek movie (see Blood on the sand) and the ongoing drama surrounding Ivan Milat and his...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Drug Smuggling Idiots Revisted: Despair drives Bali accused to drastic action
Oh, poor girl. Despair drives Bali accused to drastic action of trying to slice her wrists with a razor blade. One of the 9 heroin chicas can be commended for...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Cycling's sisters come to grief
Cycling's sisters come to grief after a tragic accident killed one of their teammates and seriously injured five others after a car careened off the road. The members of...Continue reading... | by Court | #
John Marsden Interview
Lawyer celeb John Marsden recently granted an interview. The Australian version of a recently passed Johnnie Cochran, Marsden's most famous trial is that of serial killer Ivan Milat. He managed...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Cornelia Rau Story, Part 2
A follow-up investigation of the Cornelia Rau incident, where a mentally ill Australian woman was held in detention centers for 10 months while German and Australian governments determined her fate,...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Australia: The Confusing Country
It is interesting to note here that the Europeans always consider themselves vastly superior to any other race they encounter since they can lie, cheat, steal, and litigate (marks of...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
Tour Group Travelers Beware
Tour groups in rugged wilderness sometimes lure people into a false sense of 'lemming-like' security. Last week, 11 Lost tourists were led out of gorge in WA after one had...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Boycott Bali, Schapelle Corby, and the "whinge" factor
Boycott Bali, Schapelle Corby, and the "whinge" factor is an excellent quickie article about Bali and the affects the 'Bali Boycott' is having on the country after the Schapelle Corby...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Copious Corby Coverage
Had your fill of the Corby coverage yet? If not, here are some select articles related to the trial: Admission of guilt the key to severity of sentence, says Corby...Continue reading... | by Court | #
$�m 'not enough' for husband death
Well, you know, I'd have to agree with the wife on this one. $�m 'not enough' for husband death after he died in a plane crash piloted by a stoned...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Bali Backpedals
Despite claims that the bookings are not down, "Following the 20-year sentence handed down to 27 year-old Shapelle Corby for drug smuggling on Friday, May 27, the Bali tourism industry...Continue reading... | by Court | #
More Corby Coverage from a Bali Expat
Nick over at Bali Blog has done an awesome job of covering the Corby case from his base in Bali. Of particular note is his conversation with her before sentencing,...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Corby case having little effect on Bali bookings
Hmmm...now this is interesting. Accoring to this article, as much as Corby and Corby supporters would like to think that people are avoiding Bali and causing trouble my depriving it...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
Airport offers shrink-wrapping to allay drug fears
As the Schapelle Corby spectacle plays itself out in court, the Australian goverment is attempting to downplay the whole someone-sets-you-up-and-you-go-to-jail-for-life senario by spending 3 million dollars (AU) to shrink wrap...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Boys' night out ends in nightmare
Adam Dalton is 25, almost two metres tall, and weighs 127 kilograms. The Westmeadows labourer and footballer is heavily tattooed, has huge shoulders, and looks so formidable that he concedes...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
Mobile viruses yet to travel Down Under
Despite the worldwide attention given to the threat of virus infection on mobile phones little has actually happened in Australia - even the antivirus vendors are currently labelling them as...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Australian hostages abroad
October 1994: Backpacker David Wilson and two fellow travellers killed by Khmer Rouge rebels in Cambodia. April 1995: Australian-Swiss citizen released after being held by anti-government forces in Sierra Leone....Continue reading... | by Court | #
Australian travel agent launches own protest against Corby trial
An Australian travel agent is refusing to sell holidays to the Indonesian island of Bali in protest against the treatment of alleged Australian drug smuggler Schapelle Corby. The 27-year-old is...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Rekindling the Anzac spirit
Australia's youthful revellers are indicative of a larger trend here that is seeing this annual day of remembrance take on an increasing importance to a younger generation. And it is...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Have locked bags, will travel
THE recent deluge of negative press involving Australians in Bali has not turned people off holidaying on the resort island, but most are taking extra precautions. "Every aperture of our...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Aussies to name child sex tourists
FIJI police hopes changes to Australia's privacy laws will help them identify convicted paedophiles visiting the country. The privacy laws prevent the Australian Federal Police from passing information about...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Cult fear on lost son
A SWEDISH backpacker missing in Victoria for a month may have joined a cult, say his worried family. But there are also concerns that Max Vidar Castor, 20, may...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Bali police call in code breakers
Australian police code-breakers will be called in to help Indonesian police crack mobile phone passwords of the Bali nine ringleaders as authorities try to close in on the masterminds behind...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Nine Australians arrested in Bali
Nine Australians have been arrested for reportedly trafficking heroin on the Indonesian island of Bali. Five were detained at Bali's airport, four of them with heroin strapped to their bodies...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Stakes high in Corby saga
You can't help but feel sympathy for Schapelle Corby, the 27-year-old Australian woman at the centre of a drugs trial in Bali. Surely she cannot have been so stupid as...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (2)
Aussies prey on tsunami kids
A CHILD rights group today demanded the passports of recidivist pedophiles be cancelled to stop them targeting children left defenceless by the Boxing Day tsunami. The Child Wise group said...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Death threat against family of Bali accused - Police offer protection to father
ONE of the families of the nine Australians accused of drug smuggling in Bali has received a death threat since the group's arrest. The father of Matthew Norman, 18,...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Teen mules 'agreed for $200 a condom'
A 15-YEAR-OLD McDonald's worker and a 17-year-old trainee hairdresser caught with a $1million haul of drugs in a Hong Kong hotel had allegedly agreed to act as "mules" to...Continue reading... | by Court | #
'That's No Camel, That's My Baggage!'
- A baggage handler wearing a camel suit taken from a passenger's luggage has left Qantas Airways red-faced, with Australia's national carrier investigating a potentially embarrassing security lapse. Passenger David...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Outback death riddle gets the TV treatment
A documentary exploring the murder of Yorkshire backpacker Peter Falconio on a deserted Australian highway is to be broadcast next month. Murder In The Outback attempts to uncover the truth...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Quiz show goes gangbusters in China
IT is the show that has millions of Chinese television viewers enthralled by Australia, boasts China's version of Rove McManus as its host and it is all co-ordinated out of...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Tsunami travel alerts costing us billions, say Thais
Thai authorities have criticised the Australian Government for warning travellers to stay away from Phuket and Krabi, where thousands of people died in the Boxing Day tsunami. The Tourism Authority...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Cyclone ravages remote Australia town, resort
A remote tourist resort was virtually destroyed and a small aboriginal town damaged on Wednesday when a severe cyclone slammed into the northern Australian coast for the third time, officials...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Backpacker mystery to be TV movie
The disappearance of backpacker Peter Falconio after an alleged ambush in Australia is being made into a TV film. The 28-year-old from Huddersfield is said to have been killed by...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Australasia: No airline allows 104 yr Chinese woman to travel; Australia issues visa
The Australian government granted permanent residency Tuesday to a 104-year-old Chinese woman who theoretically faced deportation after losing a last legal appeal for a visa. In a late-night statement, Immigration...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Hostel predator jailed: Drug highs led to sex attacks on backpackers
A SHY plumber high on drugs was "trying his luck" when he made sexual advances to young female backpackers asleep in their beds, a court heard yesterday. Damien Peter...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Pair wanted over tourist bashing
An Australian holiday turned into a fight for life for a 22-year-old backpacker when he was bashed unconscious by a group of men in St Kilda at the weekend. The...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Australia fears violent backlash to Bashir verdict
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia would be updating threat assessments on Friday, fearing a possible terrorism attack after the conviction of fiery Muslim preacher Abu Bakar Bashir over the 2002...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Dingo smuggling racket exposed
DINGO pups are being smuggled out of the Northern Territory and sold on overseas black markets for $5000, the Sunday Territorian learned last night. The puppies are in huge demand...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Chinese centenarian faces detention in Australian center
A 104-year-old Chinese woman could live out her days behind razor wires in a notorious Austra-lian immigration detention center, her attorney said yesterday. The Immigration Department has denied a...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Born global
A quiet metamorphosis is occurring that will ultimately make Australian business less Australian. Many smaller enterprises are being 'born global': immediately competing to be the best in the world. The...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Prince Charles to farewell Perth for Alice Springs
The Prince of Wales will travel to Alice Springs today, the second leg of his five-day Australian tour. Prince Charles' final official engagement in Perth was a function at Government...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Memories of brutal treatment linger
FOR a young New Zealand backpacker, the trip was going to be an adventure of a lifetime. Instead, it turned into a "living hell" that will deter him from...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Age no barrier to 'gap year'
MILLIONS of workers are opting for student-style gap years to travel the world, swapping their six weeks� annual leave for longer sabbaticals to India, south-east Asia and the rainforests. According...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Hot and bothered spiders head indoors
Australians have been warned: angry arachnids are heading indoors. Scientists say Australia's hot, humid and wet summer has had a bad effect on common, but potentially deadly, redback spiders. From...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Hit the road, mate
Australia: a vast, bare, unblemished land where the highway goes on forever. Simon Calder buys into the legend by purchasing his first-ever car From Hit the road, mate...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
Cambodia Upholds Murder Conviction of Khmer Rouge Commander
Cambodia's Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a former Khmer Rouge commander for the murder of three western backpackers. The five-member Supreme Court rejected Chhouk Rin's final appeal against...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Mother bitten by travel bug
Jennifer Hancock returned home with a nasty surprise after a back-packing trip in Thailand and Australia. A scorpion had stowed away in the 25-year-old speech therapist's luggage From Mother bitten...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
Tourism group calls for stricter controls to prevent croc attacks
A Top End tour operators group says the fatal crocodile attack in Kakadu National Park more than two years ago could have been avoided if stricter tourism controls had been...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Aussie Irwin hunting tourists to visit land Down Under
MGMSteve Irwin (the one without the toothy grin) will be pushing his Aussie homeland when "G'Day LA: Australia Week's Aussie Travel Expo" comes to La-La Land on Jan. 20. From...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Cancer study brings bleak news for bush
Australians living in rural and regional areas continue to suffer poor cancer survival rates, according to a new study. The research published in the Medical Journal of Australia shows people...Continue reading... | by Court | #
This backpacker plans to be back
I am a British girl living in Australia who fell in love with Thailand and the wonderful spirit of the Thai people whilst backpacking in Asia this year. I would...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Family Speak About Hostel Student's Death
A Scots backpacker who died when a fire swept through a hostel in southern Australia had returned to that area in the course of his travels because he liked it...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Local terror warnings rise in 2004
Could 2005 be the year of Australia's own September 11 terrorist attack? As 2004 comes to a close, the increasing concern about the risk of an attack is reflected in...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Return of the great white killer
Recent savage attacks have convinced experts that the shark is deadlier than before ... and now it's heading our way From Return of the great white killer Very creepy.......Continue reading... | by Court | #
It's a small world after all
THE Australian connection to the hobbit story began a decade ago in the West Australian Kimberley region. Morwood and Hobbs were on a dig when conversation turned to the big...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Shark hunted after horrific attack
South Australian authorities have said they will kill a shark that tore apart a young surfer near a popular city beach as his friends reportedly tried to save him by...Continue reading... | by Court | #
New stats give better picture of tourism
Australians spent $4.8 billion on international travel in the September quarter, up 9 per cent on the same time last year, according to new figures from the Australian Bureau of...Continue reading... | by Court | #
PROFILE - AUSTRALIA'S INBOUND TOURISM INDUSTRY (NOV 2004)
The number of overseas visitors to Australia during fiscal 2003/04 rose nine per cent to 5,057,200, breaking the previous record of 5.031 million set in 2000/01, when tourism was boosted...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Shrine vandalism 'a disgrace'
A GERMAN and another European backpacker were branded a disgrace today after being fined for desecrating the eternal flame at Brisbane's ANZAC Memorial. The two men, in Australia on...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Malta tops infrastructure table of global tourism survey
Malta has the best infrastructure in the world but lags behind in price competitiveness and performs abysmally in the environment sector, according to a global tourism survey carried out by...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Series starts filming in Queensland
A rubber ring, pillow, hairbrush and a pair of sunglasses are just a few of the luxury items the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here contestants are taking...Continue reading... | by Court | #
AUSTRALIAN sailor Christopher Packer, who
AUSTRALIAN sailor Christopher Packer, who is being held in a Bali police jail on weapons charges, said yesterday he was not a criminal and was guilty only of failing to...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Esquire writer: Call made Ricky retire
The author of this month's Esquire magazine piece on Ricky Williams believes if Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt and the estranged running back handled the pivotal phone call in July differently,...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Backpacker gran wins award for adventure
A 64-year-old Shropshire grandmother has fulfiled a lifetime ambition by backpacking her way around the world. From Backpacker gran wins award for adventure Among the places this hot-to-trot gran stopped?...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Police blame heat for hiking tourist's death
A BRITISH woman found dead on a remote dirt road in central Australia may have spent her last night at the small Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu, just south of...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Stop the whingeing, pom is not racist
Western Australia has passed legislation that allows racially charged terms such as pom, wog and ding to be used without fear of prosecution. What do you think? Tell us your...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Oil may slow Australian economic growth
Rising oil prices may slow Australia's economic growth rate in the short term by damping global demand for exports, and by cooling consumer spending, the central bank said Thursday. From...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Freed reporter's comments are scorned
An Australian journalist who was kidnapped and freed by Iraqi militants drew fierce criticism Thursday for suggesting that the executions of British and U.S. hostages were understandable. From Freed reporter's...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Parents Want 'Young to Live Dreams Safely'
Her mother Marjorie Marks-Stuttle, 55, and her brother, chef Richard, 26, have set up Caroline�s Rainbow Foundation to help young backpackers who find themselves in trouble abroad. From Parents Want...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Roos facing two felons
TWO convicted criminals who served nine months' detention in England have been named in the Great Britain Tri-Nations rugby league squad. Prop Ryan Bailey and winger Chev Walker - both...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Howard, G-G attend Bali memorial service
Attended by the gentle tinkling of Balinese music, Prime Minister John Howard and Governor-General Michael Jeffery have joined a memorial service in Canberra commemorating those who died in the Bali...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Sydney's Best Bars
Sydney has some of the world's best bars, at least, according to a whisky manufacturer....Continue reading... | by Court | #
Lawmakers, Educators Fear International Students Avoiding US Schools
"American universities are facing significant increased competition for the top international students from institutions such as Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada," he said. "The number of Chinese and...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (2)
Travelers' picks to click: The best spots for photos
Travelers 50 and older continue to be the primary purchasers of luxury travel. They also prepare by spending more than their juniors on cameras and other photo equipment. They're...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Australia is the world's favourite country
"For the third time, you have voted Australia your favourite country in the world. You are particularly fond of the warm climate (92.33) and boundless scenery (93.29), but there is...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (3)
Attack of Roos!
Watch out...they attack!!! Wonder if the government will start thinking of ways to make the starved 'roos a defense force?...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
This Story Won't Die
More on the baby-killing Dingo. The story of the dingo running away with an infant is one of the first things I learned about when I went to Australia. Along...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Super Size Me, Part II
Following up this post, The Australian newspaper today published an article called How Ronald McDonald microsized me. It's whole purpose is to refute the claims made by the movie Supersize...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
If Outback Jack Wasn't Enough...
Barbie's new boyfriend is an Aussie, too! Blaine, the hunky Australian surfer, is the next guy to sweep Barbie off her feet after long-standing boy Ken was dumped earlier this...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (2)
Queensland a bloody rip-off!
According to a recent news article, backpackers are getting the hump with being ripped off by shoddy tour operators in Queensland. So much so that tourism numbers have taken a...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
Chomping on Mice
What will people do to win a holiday? A lot, apparently, including Chomping on Mice! Of course, this is only something that would occur in Brisbane........Continue reading... | by Court | #
Killing Koalas
The old debate about what to do with the koalas on Kangaroo Island has Sandra Kanck from the Australian Democrats calling for 2/3 of the cuddly creatures to be shot...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (3)
More Than Just a Stereotype
On the BootsnAll boards, there was a thread about stupid questions asked about your country. In it, people talked about travelers asking if South Africans had lions as pets and...Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
Richest Entertainers
Australians aren't exactly catching up in Hollywood, but they're still making a lot of money....Continue reading... | by Court | # | Comments (1)
Aussie Charge at the Masters
I've just noticed that what I had posted here about the Aussie charge at the Masters mysteriously disappeared. Oh well, stuff like that happens occasionally and there's naught to be...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (3)
Backpackers Airlines
BRISBANE-based international low-cost carrier Backpackers Xpress is on the hunt for aircraft to fly to a number of international budget traveller destinations by the end of 2004. BPX, chaired by...Continue reading... | by Sean | # | Comments (1)
Hello, Wankers
Time after time on the drive up to Portland from Eugene, Oregon I saw a sign advertising Wanker's Corner. This seems to not bother most Americans, but to an Aussie...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Shark Attack!
Well, sort of... Man With Shark Attached to Leg Seeks Help My question to the (now deceased) shark is, what the hell did you think you were going to do...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Queensland Politics
With a state election just a few days away, the news is full of pollies tooting their own horn and slagging off their opponents. So it was with a laugh...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Terror Backpacker
Backpacker found carrying explosives What I want to know is what country this idiot is from, how he gained possession of the explosives, and what exactly he was thinking of...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
Bit of a Shock
I was just sitting down to my breakfast this morning and I came across a headline that caught my eye: Boots'n'all icon dies, 95 Was Nick older than he'd been...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (3)
Brisbane crooks are stupid
Anyone who is worried about crime in this city can take heart from the fact that there is evidence the violent criminals are incredibly stupid. Student bashing another mistaken identity...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
How old are you?
A student in Sydney (and I'm assuming here that it was a university student) has nearly karked it from eating slugs: Man nearly dies eating slugs (Thx Joe E for...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (3)
Between a rock and a hard place
I saw a headline in the paper today stating, "Sunscreen linked to cancer risk". If you took that at face value you'd think that putting on sunscreen will increase the...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
What the hell is going on?
People are attacking &/or killing each other in disturbingly high numbers and nasty ways in Australia recently. Maybe I just haven't been keeping up with the news that much, but...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (3)
News Snippets
Just a couple of things that I saw in the paper today: Finals football is in full swing with Rugby League finals due to start next weekend and the AFL...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
Aussie Wildlife
Family boat trip ends as 30-foot whale jumps aboard (thx to Joe E for this gem)...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
More Craziness in the workplace
As a night shift worker, part of your job is to stay awake when others aren't. And while a night shift supervisor knew that falling asleep on the job could...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (3)
Is he serious?
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has ruled out supporting gay marriages because they were incompatible with an institution designed to ensure "the survival of the species". Howard makes stand against...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
Where does it end?
At what point do you have to step up and take resposibility for your own actions? This story in the paper today makes wonder what goes through these people's minds:...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (5)
Randy Buggers
Aussie libido leads world...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
How to Attack Australia
Isn't it nice of the government to research where our biggest national security issues are and then make that information public... How to bring the nation to its knees What...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
Government bans Spam
And just like that, all of Australia's spam problems are solved. Cabinet moves to ban spam Just because it's illegal doesn't make it any easier to find these people. And...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
Aussies Win Basketball Gold
The Australian Under-19 men's basketball team (the Emu's) have won the junior World Championships in Greece. They beat Lithuania in the final by a record 126-92. Not bad, especially since...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Smooth As Silk
Ouch! Australian Woman Rips Way to Bikini Wax Record What constitutes a waxing? I'd hate to be the poor sap cleaning up after all that....Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Concrete Jungle
Saw an article in the paper today describing how animal noises will soon be available as cell/mobile phone ring tones. Lions, parrots, penguins (??!), pigs, etc. How annoying were ring...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Target Practice
The Queensland Police force hit the headlines today after it was revealed they were using real people's faces for target practice on their firing range....Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
Almost Famous, Part II
I posted just over a week ago about meeting John Long in Perth. I was watching a science program on the ABC last Thursday and was quite surprised to see...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Your mum would be so proud
Would this cause a PR disaster for an American president? Beer-drinking PM honoured in Latin...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Who wants to be a guinea pig?
There's a new drink that could hit the market here in QLD shortly. It's causing a stir because it's opium-based. Opium drink stirs up debate What cracked me up was...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Why we're not Yanks
This was an article in today's Courier Mail, Brisbane/QLD's local newspaper: Independence from the USA But isn't it a contradiction in terms that we should declare a day of independence...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
4000 year old art in Oz
Cave art and stuff found near Sydney...Continue reading... | by Sean | #
Aussie Bible
And Jesus Said to His People: 'You Boofheads' (Thx to Ant, for the link)...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
Credit cards in Australia
Good info to be aware of if you plan to use your foreign credit card for purchases in Australia. Credit card confusion down under (Thx Ant for the link)...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
United States of Australia?
A certain Mr Bryan Pape, a senior lecturer in law at the University of New England, thinks Australia should be divided into about 20 states, each with its own government....Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Backpackers recommend Australia
Most backpackers who visit Australia would recommend it as a "must see" destination, according to a new survey. The findings of the "Backpackers Uncovered" research indicate the importance of the...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
