- March 13th, 2019
- Posted by EU Australia
Cardinal George Pell has been sentenced to six years gaol with a non-parole period of three years and eight months on his conviction for a paedophilic attack on two children.
Lee Duffield provides a wrap on the case and notes that in the fall-out there are fresh calls for reforms to try and end such abuses. … Read More »
- May 25th, 2015
- Posted by EU Australia
Swedish singer Mans Zelmerlow triumphed on Saturday night at the Eurovision Song Contest, his song ‘Heroes’ at the end of voting, delivering a clear win over the other great favourite, Russia’s Polina Gagarina singing ‘A Million Voices’ — 365 votes against 303. … Read More »
- April 10th, 2015
- Posted by EU Australia
Richie Benaud has died from skin cancer aged 84; tributes gathering immediately from throughout the criket community and beyond.
He was a figure of history. An infant at the time of the “bodyline” series pitched by England against Don Bradman, he became a hero to the Baby Boom generation of young cricketers. During his time as Australian Captain, 1958-64, reversing a period of set-backs, he never lost a series – and after all that became chief among the television commentators. … Read More »
- September 16th, 2014
- Posted by EU Australia
The death of Ian Paisely in Northern Ireland occurred in a period of hope for lasting peace there; writes Lee Duffield. … Read More »
- May 28th, 2014
- Posted by EU Australia
Sorting through problems of a troubled world in eyeball-to-eyeball contact among heads of government – at the G20 — always holds out the hope of getting some solutions though real communication.
It also means risk and high organisation; why squads of armed police this month have been deployed for exercises — with air support, in water, and rehearsing street movements — close to the bottom of the world, for the G20 summit in November.
Lee Duffield writes:
… Read More »
- May 25th, 2014
- Posted by EU Australia
The Cannes Film Festival on Saturday awarded the Palme d’Or for Best Film to Winter Sleep from Turkey.
During the festivities, the Jury President, Jane Campion, deplored the poor representation of women in the winners’ lists; Cate Blanchett criticised an attack on arts funding in the Australian federal budget; Nicole Kidman starred in the opening film, about a blonde princess; and David Gulpilil won Best Actor in a talent-seeking contest parallel to the main event. … Read More »
- April 2nd, 2014
- Posted by EU Australia
Pope Francis’s diary of late has noted two Australian items, billionaire Andrew Forrest stepping up his anti-slavery campaign, and Cardinal George Pell about to start work as the Vatican head of finance. One other visit of special note, the first to the new Pope by President Barack Obama.
… Read More »