Issue 22 the Last Post Interviews Ken Done David
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ISSUE 22 THE LAST POST INTERVIEWS KEN DONE DAVID WILLIAMSON LINDA GEORGE COVID–19 WE LOOK AT THE EFFECT ON AUSTRALIA OF THE PANDEMIC THAT IS SWEEPING THE WORLD BUSHFIRES OUR WORST NATURAL DISASTER IN HISTORY TRAILBLAZERS 100 INSPIRING WOMEN THE BATTLES FOR KOKODA THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WW2 The Last Post Story Through bloodlines, The Last Post magazine started at Gallipoli. Its acorn then fought with the 2/10th in Milne Bay, Buna and Balikpapan and trekked the Kokoda in WW2. By the late-sixties, The Last Post magazine was ready to be born. Raymond Thorsby Ross, who had fought in PNG and the son of Joseph Thorsby Ross, who had fought at Gallipoli, leased a small office in George Street, Sydney. Raymond had decided that a small magazine, designed to help RSLs and their members, should be introduced in New South Wales. To do this he would need advertising to help pay printing and distribution costs. Daily, Raymond would take the train from suburban Chatswood to the city and phone local businesses and sporting clubs, asking for their support. This ex-digger and RSL member worked long hours to get each edition out and was effectively the magazine’s editor, graphic designer and distributor. In 1974, Raymond and his partner moved to Scarborough in suburban Perth and continued The Last Post in Western Australia until his death in 1983. Twenty-eight years later, Raymond’s son and Joseph’s grandson, Gregory Thorsby Ross brought his father’s magazine back to life. Greg had lived with his father as a 15-year old, when he started working as a copy-boy and cadet journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald. The teenager became a first-hand observer of the early days of the ex-servicemen and women’s publication. By 2011 he had put everything in place to re-introduce The Last Post to a public in desperate need of a modern, quality magazine to assist the veteran community. Only this time it would be a national. And this time, it would be for all Australians. With this humble background, and from a history steeped in the Anzac tradition, the new national TLP was born and is now respected and read by not only Australian veterans but the wider global community. Featuring profiles on contemporary and historical veteran issues as well as honourable Australians, organisations, institutions and companies, TLP has matured to be Australia’s most recognised independent online and print veteran magazine. Acclaimed for its quality and journalism The Last Post is unlike any veteran’s magazine seen before. The reason? It speaks to all Australians as a reminder that the legacy of the Anzac Spirit is relevant to us all. With editor Greg T Ross’ up-close interviews with famous Australians, stunning layout and production and input from great writers covering relevant topics in history, music, arts, entertainment, sport, travel, gardening, this magazine is so well received by a wide audience that reaches far beyond the veteran community. Pte Raymond Thorsby Ross, founder of the original The Last Post, left, during his time with the 2/10th in Papua New Guinea during WW2. 4 THE LAST POST – 2020 ANZAC DAY EDITION from the publisher GREG T ROSS hat strange times we live in. Not since the backyard in Melbourne. Lou then sailed his yacht bushfires that turned into a truly national back to his hometown of Trieste and received a disaster started last year, earlier than heroes welcome. This is my story of my friend. ever before, have we felt peace. We have Who knows what comes next? Some may be too scared suffered and reorganised and adapted. to ask. We do know that, and are reminded of the fact that WWe have survived the fires and the COVID-19 plague that life is full of surprises. But we also know that we, through followed. If this has been a test of spirit, Australia has shone. our actions, or lack of them, can encourage a good or In our last edition we were coming out of the worst bad outcome. There is increasing evidence that both natural disaster in Australia’s history. The devastating the bushfires – or the scale of the bushfires – and the bushfires that ravaged in every state as well as the ACT, COVID outcome on an international level, could have been cost lives, destroyed 5,900 buildings and burnt 18.6 avoided. As the population of the world increases and while million hectares. Our Summer cover showed Australian forests are destroyed to satisfy that increasing number, rock group Cold Chisel, promoting their January 24th we must become even more aware of the repercussions gig at Bankwest Stadium honouring Rural Fire Service of making bad decisions. The world is forgiving and loving volunteers. We decided to make this Anzac Day edition but it is not to be crossed. It is something we should a part tribute to all around Australia that had stood up cherish and not take for granted. Scientists still do not when it mattered. We thought we had seen off the worst. know if there is life in other galaxies or if life on earth Then came the worst. was the result of a one-in-a-billion accident. We have The Corona Virus – the COVID-19 pandemic has been lucky to have been giving life. Let’s not waste it. swept the world and endangered the human species One thing we do know is that there is an Australian like nothing since the Asian Flu in 1957-58, the Hong spirit and intelligence. Recent events have shown Kong Flu in 1968-70 and the Spanish Flu in 1918-20. that. Our veterans, as well as though in learned In this rapidly changing world, on a local and international institutions must be honoured as a sign of respect. scale, we are committed to bringing readers of The Last For us to live good and honest lives is to honour. Post the most authoritative, respected and up-to date news Read and enjoy this amazing on the virus. So, with a look at the bushfires still a part of this edition of The Last Post. It is edition, we have as well donated space to the pandemic. At my honour to bring it to you. the time of writing, we are doing relatively well in Australia, a tribute to forward planning, quick responses and the resolve of the local communities. In this edition, as part of our Bushfire feature, we speak with former Commissioner of NSW Fire Brigade Ken Thompson. Ken gives his reasons as to why this recent outbreak was worse than ever. After the chaos of last summer we again return with a bunch of interviews. In this edition we catch up with artist Ken Done, playwright David Williamson, singer Linda George and Prof. Dale Stephens from the Adelaide Law School. As well, we chat with Angie McCartney. Angie is Paul McCartney’s step-mum and spoke with us about her childhood in Liverpool, marrying Paul’s Dad, James and about her new book, Your Mother Should Know. Included also is a look at the 2021 RAAF Heritage Awards for Literature. It carries a combined prizemoney of $50,000. South Australia is a state that has regularly led the way on matters of social issues. Recently, SA Publishing company Wakefield Press released a prized quality, coffee-table styled book, Trailblazers – 100 Inspiring South Australian Women. We include a look at some of these women in this edition. Tim Page is a renowned and respected photographer who first made his mark during the Vietnam War and with his coverage of social upheaval in the 1960’s. He has been a · The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) acknowledges the regular contributor to The Last Post since its inception. In central role of the Navy protecting our vital sea lanes and this issue we give readers the chance to own Tim’s prints. borders, in both peacetime and times of conflict In Arts we feature Jack P Kellerman’s 10 Songs, a look at the writer’s memories associated with his favourite · The MUA also acknowledges and salutes the role of songs. We again include the works of famed New Zealand the merchant fleet in supporting the Navy and pays poet, Jeremy Roberts. Sidney Nolan was a famed and tribute to the many civilian seafarers who have lost internationally acclaimed Australian artist whose works their lives in supporting the defence effort still help frame the Australian psyche. We include the memories of former National Portrait Gallery’s Director, · The Navy and the domestic civilian fleet remain Andrew Sayers, upon his meeting with the great painter. as active partners in supporting and facilitating We also again run a story from great Australian Australia’s shipping dependancy as an island nation writer and photographer, James Fitzroy as he takes us to the Flinders Ranges. We look too, at the life of Italian-born sailor Luciano · The MUA looks forward to continuing to work closely Sandrin. Luciano sailed for the Italian team in the with Navy on the many synergies that exist in Navy 1956 Olympics after he had migrated to Australia operations and commercial shipping operations and years later built a yacht with his father in his For more information go to www.mua.org.au HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL THE HONOURABLE DAVID HURLEY AC DSC (RETD) GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA I was delighted to receive, and accept, an invitation from The Last Post to write the Anzac Day foreword. I commend everyone associated with The Last Post for their commitment to improving the lives of Australia’s veterans and to keeping the ANZAC legacy alive.