Friday, 30 April 2004

Minister to Jones: stay brave and true, The Australian, 30 April, 2004.

Minister to Jones: stay brave and true: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Samantha Maiden, John Stapleton, Ian Gerard. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 30 Apr 2004: 4.
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Veterans Affairs Minister Danna Vale wrote telling [Alan Jones] to "stay brave and true" yesterday, but faxed it by mistake to rival station 2UE, which Jones left in February 2002 to join 2GB. "Thinking of you Alan, and write to assure you of our warm support; and to add our names to the long list of all your friends," the correspondence on official letterhead stated.
[John Laws] said people should believe him about Jones's statements at the 2000 dinner party because other guests could back him up. "The statement, I'm telling you, was made," Laws said on his 2UE morning show. "So, it now seems that either Alan Jones or thePrime Minister is a liar."
PRIME Minister John Howard yesterday brushed off a suggestion he may have lied about whether powerful radio presenter Alan Jones pressured him into reappointing the chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Authority.
But Mr Howard told a Brisbane radio station he was "seeking advice" on what ABA chairman Professor David Flint has described as a stream of letters between him and Jones.
The federal Government was drawn deeper into the scandal surrounding Jones and Professor Flint after a minister sent a letter of support to the Sydney 2GB talkback king.
Veterans Affairs Minister Danna Vale wrote telling Jones to "stay brave and true" yesterday, but faxed it by mistake to rival station 2UE, which Jones left in February 2002 to join 2GB. "Thinking of you Alan, and write to assure you of our warm support; and to add our names to the long list of all your friends," the correspondence on official letterhead stated.
Professor Flint attended a meeting of the seven-member ABA board last night but declined to respond when asked by reporters if he retained the board's full confidence.
Rival broadcaster John Laws was sticking by his story yesterday, that Jones had told a dinner party in 2000 that he had threatened Mr Howard with withdrawing his support unless Professor Flint was reappointed to the regulator.
Jones and Mr Howard have strongly denied that any such threat was made.
Laws added more fuel to the controversy by claiming he had seen a letter from Jones in June 1999 to Professor Flint referring to "their allegiance".
That letter followed one written by Professor Flint to Jones earlier that month in which the ABA's chairman praised the broadcaster.
Laws said people should believe him about Jones's statements at the 2000 dinner party because other guests could back him up. "The statement, I'm telling you, was made," Laws said on his 2UE morning show. "So, it now seems that either Alan Jones or the Prime Minister is a liar."
Mr Howard told Brisbane radio 4BC that because he was not at the dinner party he did not know what was said.
Asked whether he or Jones were lying, Mr Howard told journalists: "I wasn't a guest at the dinner party and, frankly, what went on atthe dinner party where I wasn't a guest I don't know and I don't comment (on)."
Thinking of you Alan, and write to assure you of our warm support; and to add our names to the long list of all your friends.
Stay brave and true.
Yours sincerely

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Tuesday, 27 April 2004

Labor honours pioneer leader, The Australian, 27 April, 2004. Page One.

Labor honours pioneer leader: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Michael Bachelard, John Stapleton. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 27 Apr 2004: 1.
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As [Chris Watson]'s political descendants -- including Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke and Paul Keating -- gather in Melbourne to celebrate the world's first national labour government, Jacqueline Dunn, 77, will remember her father and hope Mark Latham follows in his footsteps.
Paul Keating will launch historian Ross McMullin's book So Monstrous a Travesty, while Bob Hawke will unveil a plaque in the Treasury building where theWatson government was sworn in. Gough Whitlam will also attend and Mr Latham will address the ALP federal caucus inside Victoria's Parliament House, which served until 1927 as the national seat of government.
The co-organiser of the celebrations, senator John Faulkner, said Watson's government helped set up Australia's century-long political battle between Labor and non-Labor.
HIS daughter remembers Chris Watson -- Australia's youngest prime minister and the world's first leader of a Labor government -- as "lovely ... a most wonderful man, a beautiful father".
But 100 years ago today, the ascension of the 37-year-old Watson to the national leadership was, according to the media, a "political freak", "ridiculous", "laughable", and a "greater disaster than half a dozen droughts".
As Watson's political descendants -- including Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke and Paul Keating -- gather in Melbourne to celebrate the world's first national labour government, Jacqueline Dunn, 77, will remember her father and hope Mark Latham follows in his footsteps.
"He is a breath of fresh air," she says of the present Labor leader. "I love him. I think he's gorgeous."
It was a tempestuous time in 1904, and Watson's rise was short- lived. After steering Labor through 111 turbulent
Continued -- Page 4
From Page 1
days in office, the former stablehand and printing compositor quit over a point of principle involving industrial relations.
But for Labor, the foundations had been laid.
Ms Dunn -- who was born long after her father's political career ended --
remembers a cheerful home life with her ageing father and his second wife.
"I was thoroughly spoilt. He was very widely respected," she said.
Ms Dunn grew up in what is now one of the ritzier parts of Sydney, Double Bay, but says it was more like a village when she was young.
"Now it's full of would-bes if they could-bes."
She says although her "doting dad" did not have a large number of friends, those he had were very loyal, including Billy Hughes.
While Hughes, a former Labor prime minister who ratted on his party, is not remembered as fondly, his old mate Watson will be lauded today.
Paul Keating will launch historian Ross McMullin's book So Monstrous a Travesty, while Bob Hawke will unveil a plaque in the Treasury building where theWatson government was sworn in. Gough Whitlam will also attend and Mr Latham will address the ALP federal caucus inside Victoria's Parliament House, which served until 1927 as the national seat of government.
The co-organiser of the celebrations, senator John Faulkner, said Watson's government helped set up Australia's century-long political battle between Labor and non-Labor.
"These things are worth celebrating," Senator Faulkner said.
"Our conservative opponents would love to be able to have had their party formed 113 years ago. They can eat their hearts out as far as I'm concerned."
Ms Dunn couldn't agree more. When asked for her views of John Howard, she replied: "Don't ask me, and don't print it."
The birth of Labor --
Features, Page 9
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Watson's girl goes for Latham, The Australian, 27 April, 2004. Page One.

Watson's girl goes for Latham: [2 All-round First Edition]

Michael Bachelard, John Stapleton. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 27 Apr 2004: 1.
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As [Chris Watson]'s political descendants -- including Whitlam, Hawke and Keating -- gather in Melbourne to celebrate the world's first national labour government, Jacqueline Dunn, 77, will remember her father and hope Mark Latham follows in his footsteps.
She says although her "doting dad" did not have a large number of friends, those he had were very loyal, including Billy Hughes. While Hughes, a former Labor prime minister who ratted on his party, is not remembered as fondly, his old mate Watson will be lauded today.
Paul Keating will launch historian Ross McMullin's book So Monstrous a Travesty, while Bob Hawke will unveil a plaque in the Treasury building where theWatson government was sworn in. Gough Whitlam will also attend and Mr Latham will address the ALP federal caucus inside Victoria's Parliament House, which served until 1927 as the national seat of government.
HIS daughter remembers Chris Watson -- Australia's youngest prime minister and the world's first leader of a Labor government -- as "lovely ... a most wonderful man, a beautiful father".
But 100 years ago today, the ascension of the 37-year-old Watson to the national leadership was, according to the media, a "political freak", "ridiculous", "laughable", and a "greater disaster than half a dozen droughts".
As Watson's political descendants -- including Whitlam, Hawke and Keating -- gather in Melbourne to celebrate the world's first national labour government, Jacqueline Dunn, 77, will remember her father and hope Mark Latham follows in his footsteps.
"He is a breath of fresh air," she says of the present Labor leader. "I love him. I think he's gorgeous."
It was a tempestuous time in 1904, and Watson's rise was short- lived. After steering Labor through 111 turbulent
Continued -- Page 4
From Page 1
days in office, the former stablehand and printing compositor quit over a point of principle involving industrial relations.
But for Labor, the foundations had been laid.
Ms Dunn -- who was born long after her father's political career ended --
remembers a cheerful home life with her ageing father and his second wife.
"I was thoroughly spoilt. He was very widely respected," she said.
Ms Dunn grew up in what is now one of the ritzier parts of Sydney, Double Bay, but says it was more like a village when she was young.
"Now it's full of would-bes if they could-bes."
She says although her "doting dad" did not have a large number of friends, those he had were very loyal, including Billy Hughes. While Hughes, a former Labor prime minister who ratted on his party, is not remembered as fondly, his old mate Watson will be lauded today.
Paul Keating will launch historian Ross McMullin's book So Monstrous a Travesty, while Bob Hawke will unveil a plaque in the Treasury building where theWatson government was sworn in. Gough Whitlam will also attend and Mr Latham will address the ALP federal caucus inside Victoria's Parliament House, which served until 1927 as the national seat of government.
The co-organiser of the celebrations, senator John Faulkner, said Watson's government helped set up Australia's century-long political battle between Labor and non-Labor.
"These things are worth celebrating," Senator Faulkner said.
"Our conservative opponents would love to be able to have had their party formed 113 years ago. They can eat their hearts out as far as I'm concerned."
Ms Dunn couldn't agree more. When asked for her views of John Howard, she replied: "Don't ask me, and don't print it."
Editorial -- Page 10
The birth of Labor --
Features, Page 9
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Monday, 26 April 2004

University finds FAST way to put dads int he picture, The Australian, 26 April, 2004.

University finds FAST way to put dads in the picture: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 26 Apr 2004: 16.
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THE pictures all tell a story. Young dads, old dads, hairy dads. Even ones with a few teeth missing. It's all part of DadPics, coming under the umbrella of FAST -- the Fathers and Schools Together project, which is aimed at primary schools.
[Tranter] says the response has been fantastic. She says a flyer sent out to the Mayfield East dads had 47 respond.
"The teachers are confident that the literacy workshops will give dads the skills and confidence to really get involved in the classroom," Tranter says.
A program on trial in the NSW Hunter Valley has achieved great success by bringing fathers into the classroom, writes John Stapleton
THE pictures all tell a story. Young dads, old dads, hairy dads. Even ones with a few teeth missing. It's all part of DadPics, coming under the umbrella of FAST -- the Fathers and Schools Together project, which is aimed at primary schools.
FAST, trials of which began last May, is in turn part of the Engaging Fathers Project, from the Family Action Centre at the University of Newcastle.
FAST has now operated in seven schools in the NSW Hunter valley, both state and Catholic.
The scheme is being closely monitored, with the aim of creating a resource manual to encourage fathers into the school lives of their children.
It also aims to provide individual schools around Australia with the resources to mount similar projects.
DadPics has now been trialled in three schools in the Hunter: Seaham, Belmont North and Mayfield East public schools.
Earlier this month Belmont North held an exhibition of students' work -- photographs of their fathers.
The children were asked to provide their work under three categories: something I do with my dad; something I would like to do with my dad; and something that makes my dad happy.
Organisers found that while making dad happy provided a lot of entertaining pictures, the most powerful messages came from the "what I would like to do with my dad" category.
The work is done as part of the art and literacy teaching segments of the curriculum.
One example in the recent exhibition at Belmont North was from a child whose father travels constantly for his work.
The student did a picture of his luggage, attaching the message that they would like to join dad on the trip.
"It is these sorts of messages that the fathers have responded to," Engaging Fathers Project officer Stephanie
Tranter says.
Tranter says the Engaging Fathers Project began with early work from the university by a leader in men's health research, Richard Fletcher, who is now actively involved in reviewing gender equity programs in NSW schools.
His early work found that while it was easy to get fathers involved in outdoor school activities, such as sports and school working bees, it was not so easy to get them involved in the classroom.
Many fathers felt out of place because they regarded schools and education as primarily the role of the mother, particularly in primary schools, which largely have female teachers and actively involved mothers.
"Previous research has found that men want to be involved in the education of their children when they are given opportunities to do so," Tranter says.
"What we are trying to do is create those opportunities.
"The role of the father is changing and the schools are not providing these opportunities.
"Schools are still largely a feminised area. Many of the projects that the schools were conducting to encourage parents into schools were organised and run by women and were therefore largely attended by women.
"It was nobody's fault, but that was what was happening.
"We are finding that even though they are often still organised and run by women, when they actively target fathers or make an effort to be friendly towards them, the fathers respond very positively.
"All the response we have had from mothers has also been very positive.
"Teachers are completely supportive, we have not had one negative comment."
Each school takes on different projects.
Some have organised school-based workshops for dads and children to experience active literacy activities that are fun and easily transferable to the home environment.
Others have included dads' breakfasts, conveying the message that schools are father-friendly with games and breakfast and learning activities in theclassroom.
The last one of these had about 115 dads attend. In the nature of these things it was an extraordinary roll-up.
Yet another project has involved having the theme of fathers as part of a classroom unit of work.
It was centred around an open morning for dads to see what their children had created, from art to stories to power-point presentations, all around the theme of fathers.
Another school set out to involve fathers in students' homework.
One teacher originally had only one father regularly involved in his child's homework. After his efforts all but one father was regularly involved.
Fathers and Schools Together has been one of the most successful of the schemes to emerge out of the Engaging Fathers Project.
Mayfield East Public School has had to run extra literacy workshops for dads because they had too many to fit into one classroom.
Tranter says the response has been fantastic. She says a flyer sent out to the Mayfield East dads had 47 respond.
"The school has to find more teachers for the sessions and we have had to ask the dads of older children to come to next week's session," she says.
"Last year only 11 dads came along to these workshops, so word seems to be spreading."
The dads play word games with their children.
By solving puzzles using the language and learning procedures in classroom literacy teaching, the fathers learn how best to help at home and at school.
"The teachers are confident that the literacy workshops will give dads the skills and confidence to really get involved in the classroom," Tranter says.
"It is a big shift from seeing dads as only good for mowing the lawn and on working bees to help build equipment."
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4000 pay tribute at new London memorial - Anzac Day 2004, Honouring Our Heroes, The Australian, 26 April, 2004.

4000 pay tribute at new London memorial - ANZAC DAY 2004: HONOURING OUR HEROES: [2 All-round First Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 26 Apr 2004: 3.
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FOUR thousand Australians from myriad backgrounds -- -- backpackers, tourists, business people and expatriates -- gathered at thenew Australian memorial at Hyde Park Corner yesterday.
"To see so many young Australians here this morning, recognising the role of the Anzac tradition, and making sure that the Anzac flame stays burning bright into the future, gives me great hope that the Australian character is still there, and we're going to make sure that the memory of those brave soldiers is recognised into the future," Dr [Geoff Gallop] said.

FOUR thousand Australians from myriad backgrounds -- -- backpackers, tourists, business people and expatriates -- gathered at thenew Australian memorial at Hyde Park Corner yesterday.
In a near perfect spring morning, after what has seemed to Australians in London to have been an interminable winter, the largely young crowd formed a semi-circle around the memorial, which was dedicated by the Queen last November.
The site is surrounded by monuments to the British military, including the Wellington Arch.
The moving ceremony was presided over by Liberal senator Alan Ferguson, who with a longstanding interest in veteran affairs saidthe war memorial was proving already to be a key focal point for Australians to remember the legacy of the Anzacs around theworld.
Australian high commissioner Michael L'Estrange also gave a reading. Poems by Gallipoli veterans were read, and hymns sung.
As always, there was The Last Post.
Investment banker Scott Kirkby, 27, who is working in London, described the atmosphere as sombre and respectful.
"I have always gone to dawn services, I have always felt strongly about Anzac Day," Mr Kirkby said.
"It's a nationalistic thing. Being away from home you feel stronger about your own country.
"It was very quiet. People were very serious. No one was talking, everyone was listening to the words."
ABC radio reported that in the French town of Villers- Bretonneux, prayers were led by Western Australian school children who are touring the battlefields of the Western Front.
West Australian Premier Geoff Gallop was reported as saying he was proud that so many young people had attended.
"To see so many young Australians here this morning, recognising the role of the Anzac tradition, and making sure that the Anzac flame stays burning bright into the future, gives me great hope that the Australian character is still there, and we're going to make sure that the memory of those brave soldiers is recognised into the future," Dr Gallop said.
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