If you’ve ever watched the film The Professor and The Madman, (and we strongly suggest you do) you would be well aware compiling the Oxford English Dictionary was no mean feat.
The principal dictionary of the English language took no fewer than 84 years to go from concept to complete first edition, and each year thousands of words are added, along with revisions to existing entries.
If the past few weeks have highlighted anything, it’s that Australian society has reached a critical juncture.
The reams and reams of headlines relating to sexual assaults, harassment, and the issue of consent indicate the unspoken behaviour that many of us simply tolerated as par for the course is no longer acceptable.
But the question is, what exactly needs to change, and how is that change achieved?
Ahh 2020, we started it with such lofty ambitions as a year that had such a nice ring to it really. But then a pesky little pandemic hit, the world ground to a halt and every aspect of our lifestyle was impacted.
All right, roll on 2021 – a year which hopefully delivers a few less surprises than the one that came before it.
It was the pandemic that many feared would ruin Australia financially, but according to a recent survey two in three Australians have more money in their hip pocket at the end of 2020.
Right about now I’m about to channel my grandmother and possibly yours as well, but…“back in my day” October 31 was just another ordinary day on the calendar.
You couldn’t have written a more dramatic plot twist really. Just 33 days before the US Presidential election the leader of the free world contracts the very virus he once predicted would simply disappear and described as no worse than the flu - a virus that has killed over 210,000 Americans.
Ready for time out from the news or seeking refuge from social distancing? Well now you’ve completed all those projects about the house and mastered that musical instrument courtesy of Covid-19, it might be time for a solid TV binge.
Amidst all the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, an anniversary quietly slipped past. This year perhaps it mattered more than ever. May 3 was World Press Freedom Day – an event designed to recognise the importance of the fourth estate and celebrate the role it plays in holding governments and organisations accountable.
Disney’s got a lot to answer for really. Lose a glass slipper, kiss a frog, chow down on a poison apple and hey presto, sooner or later you’ll live happily ever after as a princess.
Gwyneth Paltrow has come under fire after she charged fans more than $8000 to attend a Goop retreat.
He was larger than life, a larrikin, a calculating politician and a lad in an era long before the polish of polls and popularity.
Let's hope its a Barty Party tonight!
Every poll, every survey, every voter and least of all the man himself thought Labor would win and win easily the Federal election...
Sometimes a quote on social media makes you stop, sit up and listen. For me, a quote shared by a friend did just that.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
When you are getting down about online criticism or abuse, ask yourselves three questions....
In a time when we are all seeking leadership, look no further than Jacinda Ardern, whose actions over the past few days have caused us all to sit up and take note.
Let's change from 'remember when' or 'I wish I could have done that' to 'I've done' or 'I'm doing'!!
International Women's Day. The lunches are fun, the hashtags are great but often phoning a friend is just as good.
The argument ignited due to a clash of opinions between the two women when a panel was discussing the weekend’s Invasion Day protests, in which thousands of Australians took to the street in support of changing the date of Australia Day.
Ashleigh Barty take a bow. The 22 year old from Ipswich, a working-class town in Queensland has the hopes of a nation on her shoulders.
What initially started as a Facebook page and a call for donations from clients, neighbours and friends has grown to encompass over 4000 volunteers, who collect, sort, register and distribute donated packs of tampons and pads to homeless shelters and disadvantaged.
As the heady excitement of Christmas subsides and we look back at the ledger of 2018, it’s a timely opportunity to ponder how the year shaped up for women.
Christmas can be stressful and overwhelming for a lot of us. But among all the chaos, let's remind ourselves of what's really important.
As a nation, we grieved for the family and as mothers our hearts skipped a little faster and we kept our kids a little closer....
"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, Never settle for the path of least resistance..." the lyrics of a song can be a life lesson for us all.
According to recent media reports, Meghan and Kate just don't get along. Happy families just don't sell papers but women at war sure do and the media are banking on us wanting more...
Ivanka Trump seems to have it all. Beauty, a seemingly successful career and now a prominent position within the White House. As she has liked to depict on social media this 'working mum' can do it all. Why then is her popularity on the decline....?
As many of our students finish High School this week, amid all the celebrations and shenanigans, lets tell them to look around.
For the youth of our society facing upcoming exams in the next week or so....do they really mean that much?
In the past week an alleged victim of sexual harassment has been forced to relive her nightmare. Just like in the first instance, without her consent and not by her choosing. Read more on the blog.
Like life, any horse on any day can win. The important thing is to show up.
"The drought is really just horrible. Today we were expecting some rain, and it hasn't come. I know how much it upsets me and I can see how much it upsets and frustrates the farmer and there isn't anything we can do."
Imagine waking each morning trying to maintain hope amidst growing debt and the feeling you’ve failed your family’s legacy while jeopardising your children’s future.
As we mark World Teacher’s Day this October that small moment sums up the incredible power of a true teacher – a person who will take those in need under their wing as they lead the group to achieve
...Clinton has just told of his relationship with Nelson Mandela and how Mandela taught him a lot about love and forgiveness. I am inspired by what he said and can relate so strongly to his words that in a strange way, I feel the story is being told directly to me, for me.
An anonymous dear molly member responds to a recent article, which featured in the Australian newspaper the Sydney Morning Herald.
The inaugural National Rugby League Women's Grand Final will take place tomorrow afternoon.
There's little appreciation, often a tremendous amount of criticism and let's face it, they're not bringing home the big bucks for all their troubles and sacrifice. Yet thousands of men and women choose this very career. They are doing it for the greater good, and we should all be grateful. Every day, but especially today.
As a society, we have to ask ourselves how we can protect our most vulnerable? Our disabled, our women and most significantly our children are the ones that we as a progressive society need to care for.
Agreeing with Pauline Hanson doesn't come easily to me, but I have to say I stand with her on this one.
It's a point in time where we can all remember where we were, how we heard the news and what we were doing.
The final was not what anyone expected, least of all her opponent little known Naomi Osaka, a 20-year-old Japanese national playing in her first ever grand slam final.
"I think the difficulty is they can't see a woman do that kind of job, no matter how proficient she might be and how competent and experienced she might be, and that is a real difficulty for the party to deal with."
The death of Senator John McCain, aged 81 to brain cancer is a loss for us all.
No matter what your political persuasion, Republican or Democrat, you have to admire the man for his bravery, his heroism and above all his patriotism- his love for his country and his fellow countrymen.
#Yoga4Dignity 2018 is a women’s charity yoga event that will bring thousands of women from all over Australia together to touch our toes, open our hearts and Share the Dignity.
In an age where success is plastered across our social media accounts and news feeds, here’s a quick insight into failure, why we should embrace it and encourage our kids to relish it as well.
The difference between these the two stars was night and day.
