George Blaikie (1915–1995)

Another effort from George Blaikie narrating forgotten stories from Australian history, following on from "Scandals from Australia's Strange Past". Like "Scandals", he picks obscure moments in history and adds some whimsy. We should thank Blaikie for highlighting some of these moments that would otherwise be completely lost to us; my favourite story was the dinner planned for the 1867 Duke of Edinburgh visit with the tale of how the Cocos Keeling Islands came to be populated with people of Asian backgrounds a runner up.

On the negative side, Blaikie's treatment of any non-white characters betrays the period this was written in, as does the euphemisms he uses. Still, historians (amateur or professional) will find much of interest in "Skeletons from Australia's Strange Past".… (mehr)

"Smith's Weekly" is remembered fondly for some reason, apparently for its larrikinism, its great jokes and its art work. Reading this history, by one of its former employees, shows it to be racist, dull and have no great artwork.

We're told early on that one of the main beliefs of "Smith's Weekly" was that it was for the white man (although it liked "good jews"). Bad jews, Asians and Aboriginals (referred to as "Abos" throughout this book) were either targets of bile or figures of fun (the book runs a number of comics of a caricature of an Aboriginal man, named "Jackie", who, you'll be surprised to hear, can't speak properly and is lazy).

The author keeps mentioning how funny the comics and the writing in "Smith's Weekly" was, yet, of all the dozens of examples he gives, I smiled once, when "Condoblin" was used as a euphemism.

If nothing else though, "Remember Smith's Weekly" is worth reading to remind us that it wasn't that long ago that mainstream publications carried such eyebrow raising material, and that attitudes towards foreigners hasn't changed that much in the 65 years since "Smith's Weekly" ended its run.

And in the author's photo, it honestly looks like a caterpillar is resting over his upper lip.… (mehr)

Blaikie spent many years writing a column on strange moments in Australian history and this book was one of the results. Some of "Scandals of Australia's strange past" may be dated but Blaikie writes with a dry wit that keeps one entertained throughout.

I had heard of a number of these stories before there are still many pleasant moments to be found amongst the pages. Copies of "Scandals ..." are no doubt in short supply but if you can track down a copy at your local library, you should give it your full attention.… (mehr)

George Blaikie was, at his prime, a well known writer in Australia, with his forte investigations into forgotten moments of Australian history. This collection, on scandals, was partly reprints from newspaper columns he wrote for the "Sunday Sun" and partly on new material. Of course, that matters little to the current reader as the "Sunday Sun" ceased to be in 1953 and Mr Blaikie himself ceased to be in 1995.

Blaikie had a wry sense of humour and manages to bring to life many long-dead characters in fascinating stories of Australia's past. There is the man who played cricket so well bank directors didn't think it was possible he would defraud the bank of thousands, Dame Nellie Melba's unfortunate performance on the Thames and a story from Prime Minister Billy Hughes's past, to name just a few.

No doubt copies of "Great Australian Scandals" are few and far between these days but it's well worth the purchase if you can find it.… (mehr)