Thursday, August 14, 2025

1960s Cartoons: Milton the Monster Show


 "Milton the Monster" is a classic cartoon series that aired from 1965 to 1968. The show revolves around Milton, a lovable but clumsy monster created by mad scientist Professor Weirdo and his assistant Count Kook. Due to an excess of "tincture of tenderness" in his creation, Milton turns out to be a kind and gentle monster, much to the dismay of his creators, who try repeatedly to get rid of him or turn him into a fearsome creature.

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Eric Bana astonishes as Mark 'Chopper' Reid


Eric Bana's performance as Mark "Chopper" Read in the 2000 Australian crime drama film "Chopper" received widespread critical acclaim. Here are some highlights.

Richard Roxburgh triumphs as Detective Roger Rogerson in Blue Murder


Richard Roxburgh's performance as Roger Rogerson in the TV series "Blue Murder" and "Blue Murder: Killer Cop" received positive reviews from critics. Here's what we know:

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Murujuga is Australia's latest UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site



Murujuga, the world’s largest rock art site located on the Burrup Peninsula in West Australia, has officially been confirmed as a Cultural World Heritage Site at the 47th World Heritage Committee (WHC) at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. 

Sunday, June 1, 2025

How did a few Japanese planes destroy a British fleet



"The Depths of December offers a concise yet impactful exploration of one of the most significant naval battles in World War II. This 12,000-word account details the confrontation between the British Far East Fleet and the Mitsubishi Bombers from the 22nd Flotilla of the Imperial Japanese Air Service, taking place off the coasts of Singapore and Malaya. The narrative is delivered with vigor and authority by the accomplished author.

For years, Britain and Japan had adopted contrasting military strategies: the former relied on powerful artillery, while the latter focused on the efficacy of aerial strikes. On December 10, 1941—shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor—the true effectiveness of these strategies was put to the test. This work exemplifies Stuart Lloyd's signature storytelling style by incorporating firsthand accounts from those directly engaged in the heat of battle, thereby propelling the narrative forward.

Readers are positioned as virtual spectators in the waters near Kuantan, Malaya. The intensity of the experience can be gauged through the words of Seaman Matthews: “The vibration and speed of Repulse was truly unbelievable. Our skipper had us falling over everywhere in his attempts to evade the incoming torpedoes.… I began to notice that the bombers were starting to fly directly overhead after they’d dropped their torpedoes. It was as if they were taunting us. I could even see the pilots’ faces quite clearly.”

Ian Hay, involved in the chaotic scene, recalls his harrowing task as an ammunition bearer, running between storage areas and exposed gun mounts. “The run back along the deck was terrifying. It had now claimed the lives of three of our delivery party, all by machine gun fire. It was like playing some crazy game of dare.” In this audiobook, Stuart Lloyd demonstrates his prowess as a storyteller, immersing listeners in a momentous episode from history."

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Kraken3: New AI naval drone from UK





The Kraken3 Scout Medium is a British-designed, AI-powered unmanned surface vehicle (USV) that can carry various payloads, including drones like Switchblade 600 and 300, and is capable of both autonomous and human-controlled operations, according to the company. It uses a navigation system that relies on sky polarization, celestial tracking, and satellite positioning for accuracy, the company says.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

A message from Kerry O'Brien, ABC legend



With your indulgence, I'd like to share a few thoughts as the election grinds on around us against a backdrop of anxiety and consternation
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With your indulgence, I'd like to share a few thoughts as the election grinds on around us against a backdrop of anxiety and consternation that's ripping through the democratic world we have known all our lives and largely taken for granted.

Here in Australia, our governments have often left us frustrated, even angry, but I think largely we've just always assumed that the fundamental principles underpinning our democracy and protecting our way of life would remain sound.

The ABC has always been there for us as a part of that bedrock. We've seen it attacked time and again, particularly since the Howard years, but although it's been knocked around, and suffered savage funding cuts it's always emerged to repair and rebuild.

In these crazy times we can't assume that any more. In Trump's America we're watching an unprecedented savage assault on mainstream media including public broadcasting, along with the judicial system and other democratic institutions.

In our country, when the role of strong public broadcasting in this age of misinformation and political manipulation is demonstrably more important than at any other time in our history, the ABC is under attack again. We can no longer make any assumptions about its long-term survival.

The ABC has never been able to count on bi-partisan political support, and those conservatives who irrationally see the ABC as their enemy are lining up again. There's talk of more "efficiency" inquiries and more funding cuts. Again. And the Murdoch media is also on the attack in lockstep. Again.

That's why we're launching our biggest grassroots campaign of support in ABC history, targeting key election battlegrounds, putting the pressure on all political candidates to declare their position on the ABC.

The election is now in full swing. The clock is ticking. Your donation today will help protect and preserve Australia's most trusted public institution. I cannot imagine Australia without the ABC. Your practical support right now will help guarantee that the unthinkable doesn't happen here.

I've recorded a short video to explain why this fight matters so much - please take a moment to watch it.

Kerry O'Brien video

 

In Solidarity

Kerry O'Brien

 

ABC Friends
https://www.abcfriends.net.au/