Author: J.M. Bennett, R.C. SolomonPublisher: The Federation Press
This is the final in a long list of “Lives of Australian Chief Justices” which have come from the pen of Dr. Bennett, this time, in conjunction with Dr. Solomon.
I have found all these studies to be enthralling to read, for different reasons, and this one is no different.
Any history that relates to the practice of the law is, to put it mildly, interesting.
Sir Francis deserves greater recognition in the profession than has occurred, having been Crown Solicitor, Solicitor General, Attorney General, State Premier, puisne Judge and Chief Justice of Tasmania. Indeed he was the first person in Australia to be both Premier and Chief Justice.
He was, by birth, part Haitian which gave him darker skin than others, providing some of his detractors with ammunition to deride him by several epithets which were not only untrue but completely unwarranted.
His success at the Bar provided ample reason for him to be widely respected. It would seem that he had a quick temper which, on more than one occasion, caused him trouble. As with many of the early judges, the press would often take sides, either with the judge or against him, and there were always detractors who must have made his life a misery at times. But particularly as a Judge and as Chief Justice, he denied his detractors any fuel for their behaviour by ignoring it. Imagine repeated articles denigrating you, in a daily newspaper.
Not a great deal of information has survived from which we can determine his honour’s skill but the authors have found some material which shows that he was very astute in considering English authorities and applying them when necessary, bearing in mind that there must not have been many legal libraries in Tasmania at the time. The material referred to demonstrates impartiality, fairness and outstanding respect from the Bar.
His honour had two brothers who were also admitted as barristers. Neither of them enjoyed the same degree of success and their behaviour led them into trouble, being of a matrimonial or financial nature. Remaining aloof as a judge must be difficult enough, but trying to help family caused conflict which could have prevented his advancement, although it does not seem to have done so.
Sir Francis is little known even in his own State and the authors make a valid point, in my view, in suggesting that there should be some form of memorial to him, even now, as, I suggest, a means of encouraging future lawyers to find out more about him.
One cannot help but enjoy reading about the lives in the law that preceded ours. As an example in this book, the public would have little knowledge of how hard and demanding life at the Bar can be. Indeed I know prospective Readers who propose to move to the Bar because they think they can work their own hours. Those of us who have, or have had, busy practices, know that this could not be further from the truth. Similarly a lot of people remain under the misapprehension that judicial life is undemanding and does not require long hours of work.
This book demonstrates, once again, how busy a life some people live, occupying a variety of positions within the law and often, in different pursuits. Imagine trying to be a State Premier and simultaneously maintaining a practice as Attorney General and, apparently, a limited private practice at the Bar.
To conclude therefore, I urge any practitioner with the slightest interest in Australian legal history to read this book and the 16 studies preceding it.
Author: G.E. Dal Pont
Publisher: LexisNexis
Reviewer: Brian Morgan
Of recent years, I have not been briefed on many Probate matters but, in earlier times, I was quite active in that field. I should also offer the disclaimer that, though I do not know him well, I know Professor Dal Pont through my former association with the University of Tasmania Law School. Indeed, I doubt that he would even remember me as a former part time colleague.
Most solicitors or barristers who practise in this field encounter situations for which there is no available satisfactory answer other than to proceed to trial. This is particularly so when facing a family dispute wherein some would prefer that no one gain any benefit rather than that some gain something at the expense of themselves and are therefore very resistant to any resolution other than a trial.
We continue to be bombarded with advertisements promoting home wills. It seems to me that, no matter how many times we exhort people to have their will professionally drawn up, they still think that a home will can suffice. Even or, particularly, intelligent people think that, if they understand what the document means, everyone else will have the same understanding. Alas, this is, as we all know, incorrect.
Which brings one to this book, Interpretation of Testamentary Documents. I want to emphasise that this is a text for practitioners.
The book is divided into four parts, Principles, Property, Persons and Portions. The practitioner can use this book as a source to identify the relevant legal principle and then investigate how that principle applies to the problem under consideration whether it involves property, persons and/or portions.
Professor Dal Pont is renowned for his attention to detail and this is again obvious in this book.
He presents most comprehensive footnotes and case references going back to the 18th Century. Indeed, the footnotes often carry as much, if not more, information than the text, itself.
This is a scholarly attempt at providing a ready means of allowing lawyers to understand the correct approach to interpreting a testamentary document in any conceivable scenario. It is a detailed, helpful and informative tool for anyone who practises in the Probate jurisdiction.
By the Right Honourable Sir Owen Dixon 3rd Edition
Editors: Susan Crennan, William Gummow
Publisher: Federation Press
Reviewer: Brian Morgan
The first legal book that I ever acquired, in 1966-7, was the first edition of this magnificent record of an outstanding man and judge. Many years later, it was taken from my library and never returned. I was therefore more than delighted to be given the opportunity of reviewing the Third Edition as I deeply regretted the loss of its predecessor.
Sir Owen is renowned among lawyers, throughout Australia and elsewhere, as having possessed one of the keenest legal minds, not only of his time, but, I suggest, of Australia’s period of self-government.
The fact that he was asked to occupy various non-judicial positions during WW2, whilst taking leave from the High Court as well as the fact that he became highly respected by both English and American judges and political leaders are additional testaments to his abilities and intellect.
Very few Australians could say they were on friendly terms with one or more American Presidents and British Prime Ministers.
I have had the good fortune to have been led by several contributors to this edition such that I now regret not discussing Sir Owen with them. (If only I had known of their closeness to him).
Sir Owen was born in 1886, the son of a lawyer. His father had to retire from work early as the result of almost completely losing his hearing. This affected the young Dixon as he, as the only son, needed to provide financially for his parents. It is clear that he remained close to them. Despite his father’s deafness, they would discuss an upcoming case by standing face to face so that his father could hear what he was saying.
Sir Owen first appeared as counsel in the High Court within two years of his admission to the Bar.
Biographical details give a small insight into Sir Owen. He clearly enjoyed the outdoors in the pursuit of what we now refer to as “bush walking”. My impression, from some of the stories shared in the book, is that he took risks, perhaps, unnecessary ones, to the dismay of his companions. I suspect his mind was elsewhere and he failed to realise the seriousness of the situation.
But this review is of Sir Owen, the judge, and his profound influence on the interpretation of the law in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The third edition consists of a series of introductions which set the scene for the later chapters.
The chapters comprising “The Dixon papers” include “Dixon in the wider world”, which provides an outline into his honour’s duties during WW 2 and his contact with FD Roosevelt and Harry Hopkins as well as the Hon. Felix Frankfurter of the United States Supreme Court. The Dixon papers also include “Judicial methods” which extends to a consideration of the development of the law of homicide and the M’Naghten Rules as to insanity.
They also include “Constitutionalism”,“Comparative Federalism”, “The Professions” and, finally, a series of addresses by his honour, under the heading “From the Bench”.
My only criticism of the text concerns presentation. As someone who does lots of his reading on planes, I found the size of the font used to be quite difficult to read.
This book should be compulsory reading for every student of the law (the description given by his honour of his occupation when first acquiring a civilian passport after retiring from the Bench). We live in busy times but we can all devote sufficient time to read what is, perhaps, the most instructive legal biography eve published in this country.
Sir Owen’s paper on ethics as counsel remains a model for us to follow.
The first edition of this text had a profound impact on me and my career in the law. This edition, I am sure, will have a similar effect on any practitioner or student who reads it.
I think Sir Owen may have been surprised had he lived to see that his concerns about expert witnesses giving scientific evidence, expressed at page 138 of Jesting Pilate, had been recognised by others and, perhaps, led to the concept of “hot tubbing” which is now common, at least in the Federal Court.
One cannot help but admire the quality of Sir Owen’s writing, including his clear, precise style while still using an expanded vocabulary. Many words used as a matter of course by Sir Owen have all but disappeared from use, today. Despite this, Sir Owen’s style is not dated. The impression sustained by the reader is one of eloquence. Neither is the content dated since many of Sir Owen’s observations remain just as apposite today as they did at the time of writing. For example, in 1944, Sir Owen said:
“I believe that the central point of Australian political beliefs has been faith in the soundness of the opinion of the majority of the electors as a means of solving any large political question, and the need of providing constitutional machinery to ensure that, when the occasion demands, the opinion of people is ascertained, and when ascertained is carried into effect”.
The United Kingdom probably needs such a reminder as it seeks to decide what to do about Brexit. Similarly, the people of Australia will, I hope, shortly, have the opportunity of deciding how the place of Indigenous Australians in contemporary Australian society should be reflected in Australia’s Constitutional arrangements. And, next year, the Constitutional machinery of the United States will, hopefully, be directed to giving effect to similar sentiments.
Author: Yves ReesPublisher: NSW Publishing, University of NSW Press LtdReviewer: Brian Morgan
The title of this book immediately appealed to me.
I entered the Law in the days of Elizabeth Evatt and Roma Mitchell, both of whom I am proud to say I met on a number of occasions. At law school, there was a young woman in our group who outshone everyone in the class, male or female, and went on to be a Professor of Law, a celebrated author of legal texts and a State Governor whilst remaining at home!
This book shines a light on the following women all of whom found fame and fortune by leaving Australia, at least for a while.
May Lahey (law), Rose Cumming (decorator), Isabel Letham (surf pioneer and swimming teacher), Dorothy Cottrell (novelist and story writer), Mary Cecil Allen (painter and decorator), Vera Bradford (concert pianist and music teacher), Persia Campbell (academic and consumer activist), Alice Caporn (nudist and health entrepreneur), Dorothy Waugh, (academic and feminist) and Cynthia Reed (nursing student and novelist).
I doubt that anyone reading Travelling to Tomorrow (“Travelling”) could avoid being affected by the various stories. In the 1920’s, it seems clear that the United States was far more liberated, in respecting women as the equal of men, than Australia. As an aside, when my sister was studying to become a specialist physician, she was actively treated by the males in that field as a second rate person, not suited to her specialty. She managed to show otherwise.
I will refer in a little detail to one of the subjects of Travelling, Isabel Letham. Letham was lifted onto what today we would call a long board at Sydney’s Freshwater Beach by a visiting Hawaiian Olympian. Surfing at that time was new to Australia. Soon she turned to the United States to further a career in surfing and swimming.
In time, she turned to swimming, alone, as a means of income as there was no money in surfing. Ultimately, she was employed by the University of Berkeley. She taught probably thousands to swim and made her home in San Francisco. But, in late 1926, she returned to Australia to be greeted by the Press but shunned by the surf lifesaving community as “we do not teach ladies the work”.
Obviously, Australia was still way behind the United States.
All the subjects of Travelling had complex, demanding and interesting lives and this book presents them in great detail. Just think, the first Australian woman judge was appointed in the United States.
Travelling refers to places the subject of the text by their Indigenous names. While educational, I found it a little distracting and led to an excessive dependence on my part upon Dr Wikipedia. While I appreciate the education I, thereby, received, an internal glossary of place names might also have been helpful.
Dr Rees refers to having low level terror of entering a Country that had passed 86 anti-trans bills that year alone.[1] While I was not sure that this statement added to the book, perhaps, it reflects how the tables have been turned over the last one hundred years between what was then an intolerant Australia compared to a then tolerant United States.
Travelling really captures the divide between Australian working women and, in particular, those in the United States, 100 years ago. To many, perhaps, the perfect dream was to travel to the United Kingdom but many of our most successful pioneers made their names, if not their fortunes, in America.
[1] See All About Yves: Notes from a Transition (Allen & Unwin, 2021) and Nothing to Hide: Voices of Trans and Gender Diverse Australia (Allen & Unwin, 2022).
Author: Peter StanleyPublisher: NewSouth PublishingReviewer: Brian Morgan
The rear cover of Beyond the Broken Years describes the author as [a] “provocative military historian”, a description that I find quite apt, having studied this fascinating book.
Let me ask you a rhetorical question. As a lawyer looking for probative evidence, would you prefer to rely on a contemporary document or an elderly witness’s memory? I suggest that the answer is obvious to us as our legal research on facts must focus on the best evidence. We, as lawyers, well know how memories can fade or be distorted by time. At page 24 of Beyond the Broken Years, the author comments on the differences between true historians and what some call “storians”. In the latter, a novel is made to appear to be based on history so as to attract the reader’s attention. While the claim may achieve its purpose, its validity does not withstand detailed investigation.
Under the heading, “Blood on the Wattle”, the author raises the question as to whether the deaths by white violence of First Nations People could or should be considered as part of a war. When one realizes that estimates of such deaths run to between 40,000 and 60,000 over a century of conflict, perhaps, we should think of these events in the context of an Australian War.
There is much to question in so many of the books that I have read over the years where I have wondered whether I was really reading something historically accurate or whether the author had prevented the facts from getting in the way of a good story.
Allow me to refer to my family’s history. My mother was born in 1917. Her mother had remarried after the death of her first husband and my mother was a product of the second relationship. What I only discovered, well after she had died, was that I had two uncles who fought at Gallipoli, one of them dying on day 1. My mother never ever mentioned a half brother, much less two, nor the fact that one had been killed. The official record of service of those two uncles is the basis of my belief. But, as well, I have copies of correspondence from my grandfather seeking the return of my deceased uncle’s personal effects and payment of the wages due to his son.
My father-in-law was a fighter pilot who flew Spitfires, Kittyhawks and Mustangs in the RAAF in WW 2. Did he ever engage in dog fights with the Japanese? According to him, the closest he got was to see several fighters disappearing in the distance. His logbook, which we only found after his death, told a different story. Methinks that the logbook is more likely to be accurate.
I thought I was reasonably well read of books dealing with Australian military history from the Boer War to the two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan. Over the years, I have reviewed many such books.
What this author has done is to differentiate among true historical publications, those purporting to be such but lacking the vigour of substantial research and those written by “storians”. His knowledge of the numerous books is quite outstanding, as is the degree of his recognition of their core historical accuracy or inaccuracy. And he pulls no punches, nor, I suggest, should he.
A chapter entitled HMAS Australia refers, at pps 154-5, to the many publications (“almost an entire compactus bay”) surrounding the loss of HMAS Sydney to the actions of the Kormoran. The author is right, I suggest, to call out that another historical author had established “that the official account was ‘inadequate’ and (sic) contested ‘persistent rumours or distortions’ including one which suggested that Sydney was sunk by a Japanese submarine when records of those submarines’ locations “merely fanned further speculation”. We now know from the research by David Mearns: (The sinking of HMAS Sydney. How Australia’s greatest maritime mystery was solved), previously reviewed by me in this publication, where and how they were sunk.
As you would expect of a person summarizing Australia’s military history, publications concerning the army, navy and airforce, Vietnam, East Timor, Afghanistan. Etc, all receive his attention. I was surprised to find that, even today, there has been far less written about the RAAF than the RAN.
What does this book tell us? First, it emphasizes the gulf between true, detailed and analytical historical research, material relying on unreliable and unsubstantiated records and publications dressed up as historical accounts in a way that attracts a gullible audience to read the books or watch the films believing them to be accurate. Second, it gives us a thumbnail sketch of the hundreds of publications and in doing so demonstrates many areas that have not received much if any historical research. In addition, it invites some previous conclusions to be given additional attention!
This is an unusual book but it compels concentrated attention. I found myself left with lingering questions about some of the “historical” facts which most of us take for granted about Australia’s involvement in war.
Authors: George Williams and David HumePublisher: NewSouth PublishingReviewed by Brian Morgan
I was surprised to find out how many referendums I had voted in since being added to the electors’ roll. By my count, there have been 45 since 1900 in 20 polls and I have voted in 8 of that 20.
In that period of time, quite obviously, we have gone from communications’ infancy to the digital age. Imagine, if you can, a newspaper today, writing in these terms:
“Last night’s protracted sitting thoroughly demoralised the House of Representatives. A handful of Opposition members, a little knot of Labour members, and one or two ministerialists, maintained the semblance of a deliberative assembly, whilst the other members whose physical presence was necessary for the maintenance of a quorum, bandaged their eyes as protection against the electric light, and slept away the time on the benches” (Text page 146-7).
The authors take us through a history of referendums in Australia, those that voted “yes” and those which voted “no”, with detailed explanations for the results.
One point in particular stood out because it was clear to me that it has become more frequent as time has passed. That is, “Truth is one of the first casualties in any referendum campaign … Referendums are often characterised by a heavy reliance on material that is demonstrably false”. (Text page 295).
The authors give us a deep insight into the more recent referendums but, for now, I will confine my comments to “the Voice” referendum of 2023 as it should be fresh in all of our minds.
The amount of money poured into this referendum has been assessed by the Australian Electoral Commission at more than $336,600,000. Just think what we got for this massive expenditure. That sum alone is the cost of the referendum including over $M10 to produce the yes/no pamphlet, $M12 for the NIAA and the Museum of Australian Democracy for neutral public civics education and awareness activities, $M10.5 to the Department of Health and Aged Care to increase mental health supports for First Nations people during the period of the referendum and $M5.5 to the National Indigenous Australians Agency for consultation, policy and delivery connected to holding the referendum.
The 1999 referendum by way of example, cost $M66.
We probably remember that the 1999 Referendum focussed on the proposal for Australia to become a Republic. . The investigation by the authors of the respective sides of this debate is almost amusing in hindsight. For instance, one advertisement in November 1999, said, “This Republic: Don’t risk it … If you want to vote for the President, Vote NO to the Politician’s Republic”.
On the other hand, the proponents of the “yes” vote argued that Australia’s relations with its neighbours were being impaired by its continuing ties to the monarchy.
And you may recall there was not even a consensus prior to the Referendum as to which type of republic was better. The “no“ vote took advantage of this by comments such as “the Politician’s Republic” referring to whether the President would be appointed and dismissed by the Parliament or the people.
There is an extensive appraisal of the 2023 Referendum. Let me ask you this simple question: “Can you describe in a few sentences the detail of what was proposed in last year’s referendum?” I have tried this question on a number of people whilst preparing this review. Virtually nobody gives an identical answer and most answers don’t agree with my answer. One person had been heavily involved in promoting the “yes” vote, working with a Teal member of the House of Representatives. Her understanding of “the Voice” bore little relationship to what the Prime Minister said.
Perhaps, to explain this, if, for no other reason, reading this book is particularly useful. I think it demonstrates that, even now, Governments continue to make the mistakes that they should have identified in prior referendums, mistakes such as not explaining in simple and coherent terms, what is intended. This referendum was not the first time, for instance, that the Parliament proposed to retain a role in determining the manner in which a successful referendum would be implemented.
I suspect that most of us would feel uncomfortable in suggesting to a jury that, if they found our client guilty, they may determine what punishment should be meted out without any guidance from us. Similarly, prospective voters could well be uncomfortable in giving the Parliament a power over which we, the voters, have no say in how the vote or votes given for change will be carried out.
Summary: I suppose it is obvious to readers that I remain deeply interested in the law, and the laws. Australian Constitutional Law was a favourite subject of mine as an undergraduate, nearly 60 years ago. This book has provided a great insight into the provisions of the Commonwealth legislation which control referendums, why so many have failed, suggestions by the authors as to what should change in that process and why, as well as thought provoking comments from which we leave the book with a host of questions over which to ponder.
This is a really useful insight into referendums in Australia and, if you have the slightest interest in the process, I encourage you to read and digest this first rate book.
Author: Jeff FitzgeraldPublisher: The Federation PressReviewer: Brian Morgan
Hard Cover 505 pages.
What an honour I have been given to review this book. What an insight it provides to one of our greatest lawyers of the last fifty years. The author’s note at its commencement is, in itself, revealing as it paints a picture of what Sir Gerard wanted and didn’t want, including his reluctance to have a biography written about him and a desire that his personal life remain private.
Fortunately for the reader, it soon became evident that the book could not be written without referring to Sir Gerard’s family and understanding his relationship with them. In particular, his wife, Pat, like so many lawyers’ wives, basically, ran the family during the frequent and prolonged absences of her husband caused, inter alia, by the requirement that he spend substantial periods of time away from Queensland, where his home was at that time. But as is evident from the book, Pat’s contribution to Sir Gerard and their family went far beyond that. Pat was truly Sir Gerard’s partner in life. They became, if anything, closer, as Pat’s health deteriorated leading to Sir Gerard assuming many of the domestic tasks that she had previously done.
I want to digress from the text for a moment and make a plea to all young people who are at the Bar or considering life at the Bar to read this book as a means of opening their eyes to what a barrister’s life really entails. I well remember interviewing prospective candidates to be my reader. On one occasion, a young man entered my Chambers and handed me a list of his requirements, which included working hours of 9.30am until no later than 5.30, no night work, no weekend work, six weeks vacation, each year, and an income well beyond that which a young barrister might expect to earn during his training. I stood up and offered him my seat explaining that terms such as this suggested he should be the master and I the underling. He never completed his training for the bar and, as far as I can determine, never entered practice. And, did I mention that he demanded one afternoon off per week to play sport?
The book being reviewed shines a light on the only way, of which I am aware, to succeed at the bar, namely, to work long hours, be prepared to be overworked, be respectful to the Courts and your colleagues and fully prepare your work.
I did not know that Sir Gerard’s father had been a Supreme Court Justice in Queensland. Nor did I know that Sir Gerard was, initially, refused Admission to the Bar by the Chief Justice due to a technicality on which no one wished to rely, except the Chief Justice. Another counsel at the bar table removed his wig and spoke loudly enough to be heard, suggesting that Sir Gerard was being punished for the “sins of the father” who had not been overly popular with the bar or, for that matter, with some of the Judges in Queensland. The decision to refuse his admission was quickly reversed due to the intervention of one of the other judges sitting on the Admissions Applications.
Sir Gerard was a highly intelligent and a lateral thinker and, as one sees many times throughout the book, he had the uncanny ability to re-consider older and long accepted cases, to dismantle them into fundamentals and replace them with a conclusion that has since stood the test of time.
But, although the book purports to focus on Sir Gerard, it presents far more than that. The relationship between Sir Gerard and various High Court justices over the years matured to permit genuine friendships to develop even while frequent deep disagreements concerning legal principles arose in their judicial work. It is to the credit of each person involved that such differences on principle did not interfere with the mutual respect of the justices for each other.
Sir Gerard was, whether on the Bench or in his private life, a down to earth person. He valued his family, his Church (he was a Catholic), First Nations people, the practice of the law and the importance of getting things right.
He found time to be a volunteer for the St. Vincent de Paul Society and, with his wife, would distribute fruit and vegetables to the needy on a Sunday night, introducing himself as “Gerry from St. Vincent de Paul”. It may have been a sign of the times that eyebrows were raised when Sir Gerard was observed sitting talking to First Nations people. The reality of Sir Gerard Brennan, however, was that he treated all people equally.
I particularly enjoyed the short outlines of the personalities of other justices who sat with Brennan as I knew some of them sufficiently well to have one pull up at a red light in a car bearing an L plate, one Sunday morning and, from the passenger seat, give me a very obvious greeting and another who told me that they could always tell when pleadings had been settled by me, from the first page, as they were too voluminous! I also managed to have a heated but not unfriendly discussion on a legal topic with Michael Kirby during a legal convention in Adelaide in the mid 70’s.
Sir Gerard emerges from the pages of the book as remaining a humble man, to his final days.
This book makes for riveting reading by anyone, lawyer or otherwise, who seeks to better understand the workings of the High Court of Australia.
I will conclude this review by quoting the comment of another great Queensland lawyer, now former Chief Justice of the High Court, Susan Kiefel, who said that Brennan regarded:
“The absence of unjustified discrimination, the peaceful possession of one’s property, the benefit of natural justice, and immunity from retrospective and unreasonable operation of laws” as of critical importance … he saw them as values which served to explicate and illuminate the common law, tempered by the need for the law to develop incrementally and in accordance with precedent, the judicial method and the separation of powers. Unprincipled judicial discretion was anathema to him. What was necessary was consistency and predictability”. [2022] HCATrans 135, cited at page 483 of the text.
Author: David Topp[1]Publisher: Connor Court PublishingReviewer: Brian Morgan
I read this book whilst looking for reasons to work inside as we have had unrelenting rain since January. As I start this review, we have had 43mm today.
Thus, one readily recognises that our weather appears to be changing, changing for more frequent flooding episodes.
This book is not so much a story but a study of the two most recent severe rain periods that we have endured in the Brisbane area, 2011 and 2022.
I vividly recall experiencing the aftermath of the 1960 floods in Tasmania. As a teenager, I thought it was ironic that my father had to row our dinghy down one of Hobart’s main streets because my brother was marooned at his work. These days, I suspect we are all able to conjure up similar visions from television news, if not firsthand, including people on jet skis, in tinnies and so on, boating in “streets” of water.
I also visited Katherine in the Northern Territory, not long after their big flood, when the motel we had booked was free of water but not ready for occupation. The owners gleefully pointed out the high water mark for us which was above our heads.
This book is a well constructed analysis of a number of issues relating to the propensity for Brisbane to experience flooding. I will only mention some of these in the interests of brevity.
No such study would be complete without looking at the history of why Brisbane was settled where it was.
Then we would wonder about the consequences of that decision.
Anyone affected by flooding would, by now, have had endless correspondence with their household insurers, builders, Councils, their banks and, possibly, experts in flood mitigation for advice as to steps that could reduce their risk in the future.
The buyback scheme has been of immense benefit to some homeowners but not to others. As well, what of those who rebuilt after 2011 only to suffer similar damage within 10 years?
A curious bystander might wonder at the litigation that occurred over the 2011 floods and might ask the question of whether or not it was worth it, when the successful plaintiffs only received a very small sum compared to what they had claimed, and many claimants did not succeed at all.
That same curious bystander might ask about the future. Are there suburbs in Brisbane that will never be suitable for housing, despite the housing shortage? Where are all the much vaunted new houses going to be built?
The by now very curious bystander would be wondering about the significance of the Somerset and Wivenhoe dams and even wondering whether any new dams should be built and, if so, where.
I raise these dot points, so to speak, because the author eloquently considers them and largely allows readers to form their own conclusions.
His book has some excellent illustrations, mostly by photograph. But could I suggest that, in future editions, he uses a footnote immediately beneath these as sometimes finding their relevance is not easy because the explanation is located a page or more away from the photograph, forcing the reader to read backwards and forwards.
Finally, by way of an unintended segue, the reader’s understanding of this book will be greatly enhanced by the many footnotes, which I found particularly helpful.
Reading this book, one will readily appreciate that, for many of us, these floods mean more than just a talking point. They have been and, possibly, still are a cause of great hardship.
We may all wonder at the future. The effects of Climate Change and what, if anything, we in the South of Queensland can do to minimise the risk of future flooding events.
Professionally, I was involved in a number of flood claims and heard the chilling stories of hardship, suicides, feelings of helplessness, etc, felt by people who felt they had no home and no future. If this study can help to identify solutions, as I think it does, then the author has succeeded in his aims.
[1] David is a Queensland barrister and a contributor of book reviews to Hearsay: see https://www.hearsay.org.au/author/david-topp/.
Author: Ron WattsPublisher: MAF Australia, New South Wales (2023)Reviewer: Brian Morgan
Every once in a while, we read a book which has a profound influence on us. That influence will differ from person to person.
Aero Grace could be regarded as an important historical record of the hazards encountered by the pioneers of Outback flying in Australia. But that is only a small part of its appeal. We all know what John Flynn and Alf Traeger did with primitive aircraft and pedal powered radio sets in bringing medical help over the air and, if need be, with aircraft to take a sick or injured person to hospital. But the incentive for assisting the inland, as revealed in Aero Grace, was largely based on religion as I will demonstrate, shortly.
Imagine the days when the most modern car available was a T model Ford. If one wanted to visit remote properties, then car travel was the usual means of transport. Aircraft on the surplus market were mostly ex WW 1 vintage, flimsy and very primitive devices.
1928 seems to have the point at which understanding first emerged that aircraft could reduce travel times and open up inland Australia. And, in this context, one needs to remember that, even after WW2, the most popular and available aircraft was the Tiger Moth, albeit, with a cruising speed between 70 and 80 knots and with an open cockpit so the pilot and passenger, if any, were totally exposed to the elements.
Some ministers of religion were expected to cater for a parish the size of Victoria with limited finances, often, a sceptical superior, particularly, when asked for money to purchase an aircraft or to repair it and, similarly, with cars which were forever breaking down, becoming bogged etc.
One of these pioneers used aerial photographs to sell his story 62 times in 43 churches, 27 schools, and 45 newspaper articles in the hope of raising funds to buy an aircraft. He raised 300 pounds, only. Nowhere near enough with which to buy an aircraft.
Navigation in those days was, at best, carried out with a school atlas. There are many stories told of how a pilot would fly low over a town hoping to see the name on the railway station so as to confirm his position.
And, because these pilots were flying by the seat of their pants, there were incidents where aircraft were damaged or destroyed; and pilots were killed in crash landings. Pilots became hopelessly lost but yet, over time, the available aircraft moved from vintage, worn out machines, to modern (for their time) single and twin engine models and later prop jet aircraft which brought a massive increase in speed, reliability, efficiency and functionality.
Through all of this, it was the incentive of the various religions that drove these pilots, and their fellow workers, to work for next to nothing, take enormous risks, often leave their family for many days or weeks at a time and share in the burdens occasioned by living in the Outback.
The author says, at page 43, “Responding to human need, in all its forms, is a hallmark of the Christian Church”. This is so obvious in Aero Grace where, at times, different religions worked towards a common cause; respect was obvious between ministers of different persuasions; and their ultimate focus allowed them to work in harmony for the betterment of people in the Outback.
Missionary Aviation Fellowship and the Salvation Army seem to me to have been the most forward looking organisations in setting up religious instruction via aircraft.
Whereas, of course, Flynn saw the need for medical services, these religious based organisations saw the need for remote properties to have religious instruction or even just a friendly minister call on them from time to time.
This book has a collection of photos of many of the heroes about which it is written and a great collection of the results of crashes many of which resulted in repairs with fencing wire or anything handy, as transporting a damaged aircraft back to a maintenance base was mostly impractical.
The author speaks from personal experience of working in this field. This is very obvious to the reader from the writing itself which shows empathy and reflects first-hand experience of the hardships that he and his fellow pilots had to endure even in more recent times.
These aircraft were rarely permitted to operate in Charter category so as to take paying passengers, mail etc and, as a result, the success of operations was made possible largely by donations: something which is quite astounding. Aircraft are not cheap to buy, are expensive to maintain and very expensive to repair.
This is one of the most outstanding books that I have read in a long, long time.
As anyone who has flown a Tiger Moth or flown in one will attest, it is quite amazing that so many of the early pilots survived and succeeded as well as they did. This book also manifestly demonstrates that it was not the skin colour that mattered to the missionary pilots. First Nations and white people were all treated equally. Everyone was provided with religious support when and if they wanted it.
Author: Brett MasonPublisher: NewSouth PublishingReviewer: Brian Morgan255 pages
The Heroic Story of the Australian who helped rescue JFK
One could review this book in one sentence, namely, “One of the most interesting, entertaining and well written historical stories of WW2”. I will resist that temptation although the summary is intended to bring you greater awareness of the various topics that are covered in it.
First, and most obvious, is the background to JFK’s service in the PT109 (patrol torpedo boat) and how it was rammed by a Japanese destroyer throwing the crew into the sea.
Second is the coast watcher, Reg Evans, who met Kennedy on the shore of a tiny island and assisted the future President, skipper of the boat, and his crew, sending messages that they were still alive and describing how they could be rescued with minimal danger to the rescuers from the rampant Japanese in the area.
The third is the service provided to the allies by the Coast Watchers (over 100 stations) whose principal task was to gather intelligence mainly by observation of the Japanese and how they lived in isolation, in constant fear of being discovered by the Japanese, or of being betrayed by a local inhabitant, but who managed to send radio messages of inestimable value to the authorities in many cases enabling the allies to turn a prospective defeat into victory.
The fourth, then, is how the lives of Evans, his native helpers and Kennedy came together again in later life.
The fifth is the revelation of the personality of Kennedy, who, after his boat had been rammed, kept his crew together and demonstrated great leadership, both up until their rescue and in his subsequent career, both in politics and otherwise.
There are references throughout the book to Douglas MacArthur, his time in Australia, comparisons between Australian soldiers’ military income and the far more substantial income of the American soldiers, how soldiers on leave, particularly in Brisbane, let off steam, often enough against their opposite numbers and how, whilst on leave, the two sets of soldiers were far from friendly to one another.
The sixth, and to my mind, the most interesting facet of this book is the comparison between the very outgoing Kennedy and the quiet achiever, Evans, who, for many years, allowed stories of the rescue to attribute Kennedy with being saved by a New Zealander with a totally different name (who did not actually exist, in any event).
The author demonstrates that many who have written of the Coast Watchers, in the context of Kennedy, have given little recognition to Evans even after his identity had become well known.
However, Kennedy had not forgotten him and welcomed him to the White House. On a later occasion, Kevu, one of the Melanesian locals involved in the rescue, also attended the White House, having been sponsored to the United States by a television station. It appears that Kennedy was not aware of this visit until he saw him being interviewed on television and invited him to visit the next day. Kevu’s visit caused Menzies to be kept waiting!
There are what to me are new historical incidents littered throughout this book but I will not spoil your fun by reciting any of them.
We see the type of person that Evans was, perhaps, explaining how he survived in enemy occupied territory, and continued his coast watching duties. Finally, this book demonstrates, at least to me, the strong engaging personality of Kennedy and casts light on why he was such a popular President.
I do want to finish this review by complimenting the author. His book is entertaining, enlightening, captivating ( I stayed up late to finish it) and I think, finally, gives proper recognition to the Coast Watchers of the Solomon and the other Pacific islands of the vital and dangerous but highly important role they played in the defeat of the Japanese.
