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Embarking on a mission to ignite a passion for reading among his Year 11 English class, a seasoned teacher returns to his alma mater. Disheartened by the lack of enthusiasm for leisure reading, he challenges his students to discover the wisdom in the choices of successful individuals. What ensues is an inspiring project where letters are sent to over 250 accomplished Australians, asking a simple yet profound question: "Which book influenced you most as a teenager and why?" This anthology reveals over 130 heartfelt responses, accompanied by brief biographies. A testament to the enduring impact of literature and the success bred from a love of books.Contributors include: Charles Abbott, Phillip Adams, Patsy Adam-Smith, Claudio Alcorso, Charles Anderson VC, Bob Ansett, Sir Reginald Ansett, Doug Anthony, Julie Anthony, Sir Robert Askin, Sir Garfield Barwick, Marjorie Barnard, John Béchervaise, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Geoffrey Blainey, John Blight, Sir Henry Bolte, Sir Jack Brabham, John Brack, Russell Braddon, Sir Donald Bradman, John Bray, Niall Brennan, Sir Macfarlane Burnet, Jim Cairns, Clive Caldwell, Dame Carmen Callil, Sir Roderick Carnegie, Matt Carroll, Maie Casey, Nancy Cato, Don Charlwood, Manning Clark, Sir Rupert Clarke, Jon Cleary, H.C. "Nugget" Coombs, Sir Zelman Cowen, Finlay Crisp, Paul Cronin, Dymphna Cusack, John Beede Cusack, Sir James Darling, Sir Rohan Delacombe, Viscount De Lisle VC, Stuart Devlin, Brian Dixon, Rosemary Dobson, Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop, Dame Mary Durack, Geoffrey Dutton, Hughie Edwards VC, Tony Eggleton, Herb Elliott, Sumner Locke Elliott, Noel Ferrier, Joan Fitzhardinge, Malcolm Fraser, Frank Galbally, Ken Hall, Rodney Hall, Dame Joan Hammond, Lang Hancock, Sir Keith Hancock, Pro Hart, Sir Laurence Hartnett, Sir Paul Hasluck, Stanley Hawes, Bob Hawke, Bishop John Hazlewood, Sir Robert Helpmann, Angas Holmes, A.D. Hope, Peter Howson, Barry Humphries, Robert Ingpen, Peter Isaacson, Kenneth Jack, Sir Robert Jackson, Sir Asher Joel, Ian Johnson, Barry Jones, Marilyn Jones, Louis Kahan, Peter Karmel, Nancy Keesing, Michael Kirby, Sir Richard Kirby, Leonie Kramer, Stanley Kurrle, John La Nauze, Don Lane, Clifford Last, Sir Condor Laucke, Phillip Law, Ray Lawler, Joan Lindsay, Archbishop Sir Frank Little, John McCallum, Alan McCulloch, F. Margaret McGuire, Sir William McKell, Sir Charles Mackerras, Ian McLaren, Sir William McMahon, Leonard Mann, Alan Marshall, Bert Newton, Gerald O'Collins, Andrew Peacock, Stuart Sayers, Sir Billy Snedden, Peter Sculthorpe, Dame Joan Sutherland, Colin Thiele, Lindsay Thompson, Archbishop Sir Frank Woods, Sir John YoungDAVID THOMSON was born in Melbourne and educated at Monash, Cambridge and Harvard Universities. After a compulsory stint of National Service in the RAAF, he became a teacher, eventually returning to his old school where he taught English and Legal Studies for 37 years. He has written for many publications in Australia, the UK and the USA and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2018 for service to education.

Through a diverse range of contributors and a global perspective, the book elucidates how opposition operates across different political contexts, making it an indispensable resource for comprehending the intricacies of executive-legislative relations in democratic systems.Chapters: Foreword - Lord Norton of Louth"Conflict Become Discussion" The Importance of Opposition - David Clune OAM1 The Dialectic of Democracy: The Emergence of Political Opposition - Graham Maddox2 An "Organised Living Representation" of the Government's Opponents: the views of the framers of the Australian Constitution on governments, oppositions and party government - Nicholas Aroney & Benjamin B. Saunders3 Opposition One Day, Government the Next: Can Oppositions Make: Policy and be ready for Office? - Scott Prasser4 Oppositions and Elections: The Media and Pathways to Office - Rodney Tiffen5 An Opposition Leader's Perspective - Hon John Howard OM AC6 The Changing Australian Federal Scene: The Role of the Senate Crossbench: A New Opposition? - Scott Prasser7 The Resources of the Federal Opposition - Liz Dowd and Scott Prasser8 The Challenge of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Federal Labor in Opposition, 2019-22 - Brendan McCaffrie9 The Opposition in New South Wales - Rodney Smith10 Parliamentary Oppositions in Queensland, 1860-2023 - Paul D. Williams11 Opposition in the Queensland Parliament: Some Observations from a Chief of Staff - Kevin Martin12 Opposition in South Australia - Clement Macintyre, John Williams and Rob Manwaring13 Opposition in the Tasmanian Parliament: Some Consequences of Reducing an Already Small Parliament - Richard Herr14 The Victorian Coalition, 1999-2023: A Permanent Opposition? - Terry Barnes15 The Effect of Opposition on the Composition of the Liberal-National Parties in Victoria, 1999-2010 - Kate Jones16 Opposition in Western Australia - Narelle Miragliotta and Finley Watson17 The Opposition at Westminster - Nigel Fletcher18 Minority Parties and Opposition Roles in the United Kingdom - Louise Thompson19 The Loyal Opposition in Canada - David C. Docherty20 Opposition Politics in the USA - Kenneth Kitts21 The Power of Opposition: A Comparative Perspective - Simone Wegmann

Following the success of Question Time 1 - 150 Questions and Answers on the Catholic Faith, first published in 2008, and Question Time 2, published in 2012, Fr Flader here offers yet another 150 questions and answers on everything Catholic: doctrine, the sacraments, moral life, prayer and devotions. They are taken from the author's popular Question Time column in Sydney's The Catholic Weekly. The column, now in its twelfth year, also appears in other Australian Catholic newspapers.The book is written in a balanced, easy-to-read style and contains a wealth of information that will be invaluable for anyone who is interested in finding out more about the Catholic faith or who is in a position to hand on the faith to others: priests, teachers, catechists, parents, RCIA coordinators, sacramental program coordinators, recent converts..."Fr John Flader's book provides a useful and much-needed explanation of the faith drawn from the Scriptures, the Patristics and the Councils. Many enquirers in the faith and RCIA members will find the text helpful and informative. It is an ideal complement to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, to which it is amply referenced. I strongly recommend this excellent faith resource." - Most Rev B.J. Hickey, Archbishop Emeritus of Perth"At a time when what the Catholic Church believes and teaches seems perplexing, even absurd to many people, there is a need to explain clearly and simply why the Church believes and teaches what she does. We need a new apologetics. Here Fr John Flader offers a presentation of Catholic teaching which shows that, however strange it may seem to contemporary culture, Catholic teaching is the fruit of long experience and deep thought."- Most Rev. Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of BrisbaneFr John Flader BA (Harvard), DCL (Navarre), was ordained a priest of Opus Dei in 1967 and came to Australia in 1968. He has served as chaplain of Warrane College at the University of New South Wales (1970-1991), chaplain of the University of Tasmania (1992-1997) chaplain of RMIT University (1998-2001), Director of the Catholic Adult Education Centre of the Archdiocese of Sydney (2002-2010), chaplain of Montgrove College (2011-2014) and since 2015 chaplain of Tangara School for Girls in Cherrybrook, Sydney

Embark on a captivating journey through the transformative life and legacy of Terry Purcell, a trailblazing figure in the realm of social and legal reform. In his compelling memoir, Purcell shares his remarkable experiences from the early 1960s, when he first entered the legal profession and identified the shortcomings of existing legal services.Hailing from humble beginnings in Sydney's inner west, Purcell's quest for innovative solutions led him to a Churchill Fellowship, granting him invaluable insights into global social and legal reforms. His odyssey took him through a tumultuous America during the Watergate scandal, where he witnessed the challenges faced by the Navajo reservation and the poverty of Southside Chicago. Meeting passionate lawyers and reformers along the way, Purcell's journey extended to Canada and the UK, offering a unique perspective on international legal landscapes.Returning to Australia as the Director of the Law Foundation of NSW from 1973 to 1995, Purcell catalyzed numerous reform initiatives. His visionary leadership supported the digitization of legal data, social science research on the legal profession, and enhanced community access to legal information through publications like 'Australia's Constitution - Time for Change,' the 'Pocket Guide to the Law,' and The Law Handbook. The Law Foundation also played a pivotal role in advancing the NSW Court System and supporting organizations such as The NSW College of Law, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, legal studies in schools, Continuing Legal Education, and Community Justice Centres.Purcell's memoir unfolds against the backdrop of Australia's golden age of social and legal reform (1965-1995), spanning the rise and fall of governments. From the Menzies era to the promise of Gough Whitlam, and the reforms under Askin, Wran, Fraser, and the ambitious Hawke-Keating period, Purcell's unwavering commitment to improving access to the law for all remains a central theme.Meet Terry Purcell, LLB, a visionary who served as the Director of The Law Foundation of NSW and co-founded the estate planning firm RetireLaw. Now in retirement, Terry resides on the Northern Beaches with his wife Pat, boasting a proud family of five children and eleven grandchildren. Immerse yourself in Purcell's inspiring narrative that transcends generations and fuels the aspirations of today's reformers and those yet to come.

Experience the timeless wisdom of Frédéric Bastiat's economic masterpiece, "That Which is Seen and That Which is Not Seen." This classic treatise on economic clarity and obscurity, presented with annotations and an insightful introduction by Gary Furnell, author of "The Hardest Path is the Easiest: Exploring the Wisdom Literature with Pascal, Burke, Kierkegaard, and Chesterton," now boasts an additional layer of expertise with an insightful foreword by Peter Fenwick, an expert in the Austrian school of economics.This enhanced edition is now available, featuring Gary Furnell's thoughtful additions that breathe fresh life into this important work, making it accessible to a new generation of readers. "That Which is Seen and That Which is Not Seen" is not your typical economics book; it's both witty and enlightening, defying the conventional descriptors of the genre. Frédéric Bastiat understood the power of delivering insights with a persuasively light tone, avoiding the arcane jargon and prolixity often associated with politicians and treasury officials.In economics, as in philosophy, clarity is courtesy, and Bastiat's approach emphasizes plain speech and easily understood examples. His enduring precepts, relevant today as they were one hundred and seventy years ago, encourage readers to foresee the consequences of economic decisions. Reading this classic treatise is not just an exploration of economic principles but also a valuable habit that trains us to anticipate and understand the far-reaching effects of our choices."That Which is Seen and That Which is Not Seen" is a timeless work that seamlessly combines brevity, levity, and depth. Bastiat's insights remain as impactful and pertinent today as they were during his assessment of the French government's policies and actions in the past. Embrace the opportunity to delve into this enduring masterpiece, enriched by an insightful foreword from Peter Fenwick, and gain valuable insights into economic clarity and foresight.

David Topp succinctly explains how a city built on a flood plain will never be flood free.- Peter Spearritt: Emeritus Professor of History, The University of Queensland.Brisbane Breached: The Story of a Drought Defaulted Floodplain delves into the intricate historical chronicles of Brisbane, meticulously exploring the city's enduring struggle against the dual forces of severe flooding and prolonged droughts.The narrative unfolds, juxtaposing the recurrent major flood events between 1841 and 2022 with intermittent, yet impactful, periods of drought. Such occurrences, inherently linked to Brisbane's geographical position constructed within a flood plain, present profound policy challenges that have persisted over time.In dissecting the prevailing beliefs in the efficacy of dam constructions as a panacea for Brisbane's water-related vulnerabilities, this book confronts the prevailing misconceptions. The inadequacies of solely relying on dam infrastructure become apparent in the face of the city's unique topographical limitations, prompting a necessary paradigm shift in policy considerations.Foreseeing an imminent population surge, projected to add one million residents by 2032, this book's discourse posits the urgency of transcending traditional water management strategies. This paradigmatic shift becomes a pivotal policy proposition to avert the existential threat of complete water depletion in a city susceptible to both drought and flooding.David Topp is a Queensland Barrister. His previous book Tennyson Breach was published in 2012.

Commander Paul Davidson is not a submariner himself, but through detailed research, wide reading, and lengthy discussions with current and former submarine commanding officers, he has written a most comprehensive and interesting account of the capabilities and utilization of the submarine as both a tactical and strategic weapon over the past 100 years. His book gives the reader a unique insight into the world of the undersea warrior. - Commodore Michael Dunne AM RAN Retd.This book presents a comprehensive exploration of the Australian submarine service within the broader context of global submarine warfare history. Delving into extensive research and literature, it meticulously traces the evolution and operational trajectory of submarines, spanning from their rudimentary forms a century ago to their pivotal roles in both World Wars, the Cold War era, and the contemporary proliferation of conventional and nuclear-powered submarines across various naval fleets worldwide.A focal point of analysis is the in-depth examination of the renowned 'Perisher' course, illuminating the training regimen for submarine commanders. Through insightful interviews with multiple Australian captains, the book extracts valuable lessons on effective leadership that transcend maritime warfare.Throughout its narrative, the book interweaves historical anecdotes highlighting the formidable potency of submarines as formidable instruments of war, capable of serving as deterrents and, if necessary, as destructive forces. Consequently, it provides a timely and pertinent overview of the burgeoning significance of submarines within the landscape of international naval conflicts.Paul Davidson did national service as an Air Force officer in the Vietnam War era, before spending 15 years as a clinical psychologist in Australia and New Zealand, and 30 years as a university business educator, including six years teaching in the Royal Australian Naval Staff College at HMAS Penguin. More recently he served as a naval officer in the Submarine branch and instructor in the Australian Defence College, and in naval strategy. He published academic papers and widely recommended books in the field of Management, Human Resource Management, and Project Management. Now, he has brought his scholarship to bear as an amateur naval historian, in writing about Australian Submarines and their place in the history of naval warfare.

What we have tried to provide in these pages is a handbook for enhancing your success as a parent. Specifically, we explain how to instil in your children those qualities - or personality traits - which will minimise their risk of mental disorder, or, if it does emerge, assist them to manage it successfully. In addition, the accomplishments of character we recommend will facilitate their growth as successful, independent people who will become all they can and wish to be.Dr Terence Sheppard (B.Ec., B.A. Psych. (Hons), PhD) is a psychologist and his partner, Dr Margaret Kummerow (MBBS, FRACP) is a paediatrician.

Ron Boswell, 'Boz', left school at 14 and went on to become the Father of the Australian Senate. His story will make you laugh and cry and cheer for the underdog.Ron Boswell tells politics like it is and how one person really can make a difference.No nonsense, no frills, this is Australian politics at its rugged best. This book makes you a fly on the wall to some of the biggest political issues over the past forty years. From Joh for PM to fighting the extremists and the carbon wars, Boswell gives a firsthand account of key events.Whether it's magic cufflinks, grass turf wars, taxi fares, banana pests, political prawns, or superyacht flower bills, you are bound to find something interesting and inspiring. From Chapter 1: " Australians considering a Parliamentary career should have confidence that a lot is achievable by standing up. Yes, it's easy to go with the flow in Canberra. It's a lot harder to put your head above the parapet and maybe get shot at. If you're not seduced by the 'leave everything to the market' and 'governments should keep out of everything' brigade, you can make a real difference."

Dillon's latest book investigates, with keen attention to detail, colonial Queensland's role in the development of British New Guinea. It reveals the rising importance of Torres Strait and its international steamship traffic, the contest with Germany in 1883 for the easterly or non-Dutch portion of New Guinea and the attractive islands of New Britain and New Ireland. Without the determination of Queensland, Britain would never have set up a government house at Port Moresby in 1888. Dillon reminds us that, in the eyes of some major politicians, the nearer parts of New Guinea were almost as essential as Tasmania. In essence, "New Guinea and the adjacent groups of Pacific Islands must form part of the future Australian nation."It is especially Dillon's skill in weighing evidence, and in cross-examining long-dead witnesses, that makes him a historian worth reading. That he ventures into new territory is a bonus.-- Geoffrey Blainey, from the Foreword.Paul Dillon is a Sunshine Coast-based author of Frederick Walker, Commandant of the Native Police and many other titles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Australian National University. Paul joined the Commonwealth Public Service in 1965. On 23 May 1986, he was called to the Bar of New South Wales and practised as a barrister in the Criminal Division of the superior courts of Queensland as counsel for the defence.

In Print and Prize, Nicholas Hasluck gives a graphic account of his work as Chair of the Commonwealth Writers' Prize.At literary festivals in far places, such as Delhi, Colombo, Treasure Beach in Jamaica and Franschhoek in South Africa, he explored vital contemporary issues, from post-colonial critiques to debates about truth-telling, national identity and role of the monarchy. Encounters with writers and colourful scenes along the way add spice to his story.The author studied law in Perth, then Oxford, before serving as a judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia. A winner of The Age Book of the Year Award, he has written 14 novels and various books casting light on the relationship between law and literature.

Brian Harradine, Independent Senator for Tasmania from 1975 to 2004, refutes the view that independent parliamentarians have no place in our political system and exert no influence. On the contrary, this former Labor stalwart and trade union official, expelled from the ALP before entering parliament, shows just what an independent can achieve.Prime Minister John Howard acknowledged that although Harradine was "supportive of many the Government's positions on social issues" but when it came to industrial relations reforms he "remained at heart a Labor man" and was less helpful. In other words, he was no pushover. Harradine made governments stop, think and consult before they could legislate and act. So, it is for readers of this new, much overdue volume on the late Brian Harradine, to assess how to view this man, and, for many, this principled man.This new monograph is researched and written by Keith Harvey. Keith worked for 40 years in the Australian trade union movement, retiring in 2011. He is a member of the Australian Labor Party. His memoir - Memoirs of a Cold War Warrior - was published by Connor Court in 2021 and recounts his experiences as an anti-Communist activist in the union movement. Keith is interested in the intersection of religion with social policy and action, especially Catholic social teaching. These issues were an important influence in the life and work of Brian Harradine.

It has been nearly fifty years since a biography of Arthur Calwell, Labor federal member from 1940 to 1972, Minister for Immigration and later leader of the Opposition. His massive immigration program in the immediate postwar period began the transformation of Australia into a multicultural nation. Calwell served under the best (Chifley) and possibly the most difficult (Evatt) of the Labor leaders, and remained loyal to the Labor cause when it split in the mid 1950s when its future looked bleak. Yet, after becoming leader in 1960 he almost defeated then Prime Minister Menzies at the 1961 election and did much to restore Labor's faith in itself as well as to renew policy for the nation. However, two subsequent election defeats in 1963 and 1966 meant Calwell had to make way for the younger Gough Whitlam in 1967. He retired at the 1972 election which saw Labor finally back in office. So, this is a story of conviction, belief and persistence through the long period of 23 years in the political wilderness.This new monograph, researched by Professor James Franklin with Gerry O Nolan not only refreshes our memory about Arthur Calwell, the long-serving politician, but also Calwell the man, including his Catholic religious beliefs which figured far more prominently in public life and personal considerations than for most politicians today.James Franklin's previous books include Corrupting the Youth: A History of Philosophy in Australia, The Real Archbishop Mannix (with Gerry O Nolan) and Catholic Thought and Catholic Action. He is Honorary Professor at the University of New South Wales, Sydney and editor of the Journal of the Australian Catholic Historical Society.

Now professor emeritus of the Gregorian University (Rome) and a world-acclaimed theologian who has authored or co-authored over eighty books, Gerald O'Collins illuminates difficult sayings of Jesus and meticulously explains these and other texts of the four Gospels. His interpretation also significantly advances our appreciation of Jesus' virginal conception (Matthew and Luke), the 'verbal' quality of believing in John's Gospel, and the silent flight of Mary Magdalene and her two companions when they hear the astonishing news of Jesus' resurrection from the dead (Mark 16:1-8).O'Collins moves to Paul and sets out his role as key witness to the resurrection of Jesus-along with Peter and Mary Magdalene. He enters the debate about a current theory that the 'high exaltation' of Jesus (Philippians 2:9) amounts to nothing more than his becoming a superior angel.No one illustrates better than O'Collins the creative and constructive results of precise, Jesus-centred New Testament exegesis. His most recent books include The Beauty of Jesus (Oxford University Press), The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola: A Lived Experience (Paulist Press), and Letters to Maev (Connor Court Publishing).

Does religion (any religion) provide economic benefit to Australian society?Sociological research has demonstrated the obvious but ignored connection between religious altruism and private philanthropy. But the question whether religiously observant people volunteer and donate more to general charity (not their own churches) than non-believers has never been answered in Australia. This book explains a research project initiated by an interfaith economic think tank at the offices of Deloitte Access Economics (Deloitte) in Sydney in 2012. Building upon the preliminary advice of Professor Ram Cnaan at the University of Pennsylvania, following that 2012 meeting Deloitte prepared a scoping study identifying the kind of research that was missing in Australia. A follow-on academic conference at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne in 2013 recommended to the newly created SEIROS (the Study of the Economic Impact of Religion on Society) interfaith board that they should initiate the "Contributing to Australian Society Survey" and the research project was born.Deloitte's initial analysis of the Survey data showed that the 3% of Australian society that convert to religious observance as adults, contributed nearly half a billion dollars more to the 2017 Australian economy than they would have if they had not converted. With a grant from the federal Department of Social Security in 2018, SEIROS then commissioned Agape Economics to identify how much more was contributed by those who were religiously observant throughout their lives. Read this book to find the answer to that question.CONTENTSIntroduction - Philip Hughes and A. Keith Thompson1. Literature Review on the Impact of Religion on Quality of Life. Professor Ram Cnaan2. The Economic Impact of Religious Activities - Scoping Study for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Deloitte Access Economics3. Contributing to Australian Society - Survey Questions. Christian Research Association4. Economic Value of Donating and Volunteering Behaviour Associated with Religiosity. Deloitte Access Economics5. Impact of Religion on Society. Philip Hughes6. The Economic Impact of Religious Volunteering and Donation. A. Keith Thompson7. Measuring the Economic Impact of Religiosity in Australia. Brendan Long8. Measuring the Economic Impact of Religious Persons Associated with Volunteering and Donation Behaviour. Agape Economics9. Executive Summary: Measuring the Economic Impact of Religious Persons Associated with Volunteering and Donation Behaviour. SEIROS (Gawaine Powell Davies, Brendan Long and A. Keith Thompson)

Mount Warning National Park provides one of the most outstanding experiences of the Australian Landscape on the east coast. Mount Warning was an immense shield volcano active 23 million years ago, and is now regarded as the best-preserved and largest eroded shield volcano in the southern hemisphere. The original volcano was over 100km in diameter and likely reached over 2000m high. The 1159m peak of Mount Warning is the solidified remains of the main central vent of the volcano. 360-degree views from the summit to the Pacific Ocean beaches, the Tweed River valley and the surrounding forested ranges forming the caldera walls are simply extraordinary. Since a 4.2km track was constructed in 1909 over 3.5 million people - families, friends and individuals have made the journey to the summit to experience the exhilaration of the climb, the awe-inspiring vista and for some, the joy of witnessing the first sunrise on the Australian Mainland. More recently public access to the Park and Summit has become contentious as post-modernist political concepts have captured the minds of Park Authorities trusted with managing the Park on behalf of the Public. There has been a push to close the Park on the grounds public access offends some Aboriginal groups. Other Aboriginal groups challenge this belief, including those that have the closest connection to the mountain - the Ngarakwal People. The matriarch of this group, the late Marlene Boyd stated in 2007 "I do not oppose the public climbing of Mount Warning - how can the public experience the spiritual significance of this land if they do not climb the summit and witness creation!" This wonderful endorsement of what we all feel when we visit these remarkable natural places has been long ignored by the authorities. A Guide to Climbing Mount Warning is a celebration of the Park and summit experience. The Guide is packed with historical information, facts and figures that demonstrate official views about the mountain in relation to environmental damage, safety and Aboriginal perspectives are fundamentally wrong. Moves to close the Park are more about politics and misconceptions about risk management. This flawed approach will result in a National Park that will have no visitors. Awe and wonder to be hidden behind a locked gate. This would be an insult to the millions who have climbed and those who worked so hard to create the Park in 1929 preserving this wonderful place and the adventure it holds for future generations to explore and enjoy.

So you think the theory of disastrous climate change has been proved! You believe that scientists are united in their efforts to force the nations of the world to reduce their carbon emissions! You imagine perhaps that scientists are far too professional to overstate their case!Maybe we should all think again. In his book The Climate Caper, with a light touch and nicely readable manner, Professor Paltridge shows that the case for action against climate change is not nearly so certain as is presented to politicians and the public. He leads us through the massive uncertainties which are inherently part of the 'climate modelling process'; he examines the even greater uncertainties associated with economic forecasts of climatic doom; and he discusses in detail the conscious and sub-conscious forces operating to ensure that scepticism within the scientific community is kept from the public eye.It seems that governments are indeed becoming captive to a scientific and technological elite - an elite which is achieving its ends by manipulating fear of climate change into the world's greatest example of a religion for the politically correct.

Does religion (any religion) provide economic benefit to Australian society?Sociological research has demonstrated the obvious but ignored connection between religious altruism and private philanthropy. But the question whether religiously observant people volunteer and donate more to general charity (not their own churches) than non-believers has never been answered in Australia. This book explains a research project initiated by an interfaith economic think tank at the offices of Deloitte Access Economics (Deloitte) in Sydney in 2012. Building upon the preliminary advice of Professor Ram Cnaan at the University of Pennsylvania, following that 2012 meeting Deloitte prepared a scoping study identifying the kind of research that was missing in Australia. A follow-on academic conference at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne in 2013 recommended to the newly created SEIROS (the Study of the Economic Impact of Religion on Society) interfaith board that they should initiate the "Contributing to Australian Society Survey" and the research project was born.Deloitte's initial analysis of the Survey data showed that the 3% of Australian society that convert to religious observance as adults, contributed nearly half a billion dollars more to the 2017 Australian economy than they would have if they had not converted. With a grant from the federal Department of Social Security in 2018, SEIROS then commissioned Agape Economics to identify how much more was contributed by those who were religiously observant throughout their lives. Read this book to find the answer to that question.CONTENTSIntroduction - Philip Hughes and A. Keith Thompson1. Literature Review on the Impact of Religion on Quality of Life. Professor Ram Cnaan2. The Economic Impact of Religious Activities - Scoping Study for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Deloitte Access Economics3. Contributing to Australian Society - Survey Questions. Christian Research Association4. Economic Value of Donating and Volunteering Behaviour Associated with Religiosity. Deloitte Access Economics5. Impact of Religion on Society. Philip Hughes6. The Economic Impact of Religious Volunteering and Donation. A. Keith Thompson7. Measuring the Economic Impact of Religiosity in Australia. Brendan Long8. Measuring the Economic Impact of Religious Persons Associated with Volunteering and Donation Behaviour. Agape Economics9. Executive Summary: Measuring the Economic Impact of Religious Persons Associated with Volunteering and Donation Behaviour. SEIROS (Gawaine Powell Davies, Brendan Long and A. Keith Thompson)

Consciously or unconsciously, we humans treasure our ways of life, and we thirst for opportunity. This book is a Twenty-First Century journey through these epic aspirations.'A unique philosophy drawn from a lifetime of observations of the human condition and the choices inherent in all of us to live a good and happy life.' -- Georgina Downer'Maps core elements of humanity, shines a light on the 'inner being', and examines 'sharing' as a central human mystery. Once started, this book is hard to put aside.' -- Rick Tudor'Impressive in its ambition and the depth of its reasoning' -- David Runia'Makes complex concepts accessible... Provides a hopeful guide as we grapple with who we are, what we're doing, and what we want in a disturbing world... We need a human philosophy to quieten our inner voices, re-ignite our imaginative possibilities, and guide us fearlessly forward... This philosophy explores the questions and challenges we meet in making meaningful lives.' -- Rosemary BlightThis philosophy elaborates two central ideas - that humans make ways of life, and that we are on our own.A 'Letter To The Reader' and the first chapter overview the book, explain its context, introduce its ideas, and assert the value of human life. They contend that 'humans make ways of life' is incontrovertible. They explain how 'humans are on their own' encapsulates human responsibility and independence. They reflect on reason, nature, religion and history as discussable but unsatisfactory starting points for understanding the human world.The next three chapters explore three aspects of the human world - how measuring is fundamental, how machinery is enabling, and how humans know much but not everything.The following three chapters explore the organization of this world - the distinctions between individuals and groups, the dynamics of humanity, the character of politics, the place of government, the role of decision-makers.The final chapter considers threats, pre-conditions of achievement, and the implications of our being 'makers of ways of life and on our own'. The conclusion pulls the threads together by arguing that 'If we ask what freedom and diversity come to in the end, the answer is that they are always the lifeblood of the human world'.

Becoming Fire aims to give the beginner in the spiritual life a vision and framework for an on-going life in the Spirit, and to give some insights into the dynamics of spiritual growth, as well as some practical means for moving ahead. The reader is offered a vision which is biblical, practical, personal, evangelical, God-centred and faithful to the spiritual tradition of the Church.Get ready to grow in holiness. Being one with God, Fr. Barker tells us, is the goal of our lives. Drawing on Scripture, the saints, and his own experience, he aims to lead the reader to deeper prayer, growth in virtue, docility to the Spirit, and joyful life in the Lord. He offers ample encouragement along the way: we can become fire!Dr Mary Healy S.T.D., Professor in Scripture, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit. Member of Pontifical Biblical CommissionFr. Ken Barker's book introduces the beginner in the spiritual life to the riches of the scriptural message regarding our growth in the life of God. It also invites the reader to enter the world of Christian tradition: Francis de Sales, John of the Cross, Catherine of Siena and a host of others are invoked as the great cloud of witnesses whose experience helps point the way for us today. Fr. Ken also makes good use of his own wide experience of the faith as he seeks to encourage the beginner to hearken to the call of the Lord. The book deserves prayerful pondering from a wide audience.Fr Austin Cooper OMI, Late Senior Fellow, Catholic Theological College, MelbourneIn Becoming Fire Fr Ken Barker with great care and lucidity lays before us the journey of the soul to God. He draws extensively from the scriptures and all parts of the Christian tradition, but above all he draws from his own experience of the spiritual life and as a spiritual director. This is a good introduction for beginners. It will also be of value to proficients who will discover new insights into their own spiritual lives. Bishop Greg Homeming OCD, Diocese of LismoreThis book has been such a blessing for me. I pick it up every year or so. I am so blessed by it. Matt Fradd, Pints with Aquinas, YouTube.comFr Ken Barker is the Founder of the Missionaries of God's Love (MGL), a new vibrant religious congregation with missions in Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia. He is involved in many works of evangelisation and renewal, and is the author of Young Men Rise Up, His Name is Mercy, Amazing Love, Alive in the Spirit, The Wonder of the Eucharist, The Way of Jesus, Fire to the Earth, Go Set the World on Fire, Mary, Disciple and Mother, The Our Father, and Eternity.

Rosa is a woman who grew up in the bush of southern Queensland. At school she discovered she could sing and it became her abiding passion. While this book tells about her life and career, she couldn't do it on her own, so her story is as much about the people she loved and who loved her back, and looked out for her.Her determination and talent brings stardom, but at a cost. Those blessed with an aura of success, like any of us, are plagued by loneliness, illness and loss. But life for Rosa and the people she loves and works with is never dull; every day seems to bring a new challenge to be embraced.'He'd been drinking at the Regatta ...and next thing, he skolled a glass, leapt up on the parapet, did a handstand slowly, and hand walked the whole length of the balcony. A hand misplaced by an inch and he was dead...'Riding Scrimple in the valley shortly after sunrise felt the only place where she belonged, the only place she could sing whenever or whatever she wanted ... as a little girl she discovered that singing crushed some of the awful dreams.'It was like she had to be a vocal dancer or athlete. Keep to the beat; keep in tune! How was it done? Surely it must be better than what was going on? She had this aural vision of these people around her groaning or moaning.'All she could do was suspend judgement, her world and any other place or person, for this minute, hour, day ... She stood on the little terrace, her eyes moving from him to the view of a village, hillsides, and the blues, ochres, sages of sky and landscape.'The way you sang that long last song was more than brilliant; it said something to me about the power of communication through music I've never known.''Your memory or your truth, he said, can change depending on how you are living the moment of your recollection''He's head over heels. Like the old song, 'say yes to Mr Brown!'''They were tough times back then, girlie.''It was their true retreat, almost magical in its brilliance and remoteness ...''No, not without you .... we must stay together...''She laughed and said [the One Teacher School] ... is like an exclusive prep school except there are no fees ...''... the front desk left last week ... we're on our own ...'

From Rousseau to the World Economic Forum: Woke Capitalism and the Power of IdeasRick BrownPlusThe Voice - Beware the Shiny BaubleRobert KatterSince the political emergence of Donald Trump and the successful referendum in the United Kingdom on leaving the European Union, there has been a focus on the deep-seated divisions within Western societies.His analysis is based on the proposition that what we are seeing now did not happen overnight and so in part, his essay is a history of the modern evolution of ideas and their transmission.His story about the foundations of the ideas that drive the cultures of the inner metropolitan suburbs and outer suburbs takes us back more than 200 years to John Jacques Rousseau, who the late Sir Roger Scruton described as 'the first and greatest of the liberal reformers whose impact on modern culture and modern politics has been equalled by no other thinker of the Enlightenment'. It also involves a M. Rousseau contemporary Edmund Burke, the founder of conservatism.The transmission of these ideas he credits to the creator of cultural hegemony and Communist theoretician Antonio Gramsci, whose ideas and strategy have been sloganised as 'the long march through the institutions'.He also focuses on the dictatorial mindset of today's élites which is different from their recent predecessors and turns to the attitudes of America's founders who set out to prevent the creation of a fully democratic society and, at one level, to retain real power in the hands of their class.To complete the picture, he turns a spotlight on Klaus Schwab, the owner of the World Economic Forum, who has persuaded the global business élite to impose management 'dictatorship' through a concept called 'stakeholder management'.Robbie Katter is a third consecutive generation politician. If, as expected, he is re-elected next year, a Katter will have represented a part of North Queensland for 60 consecutive years. During all that time, the Katters have been vocal and active supporters of Aboriginal people and their advancement. Robbie's grandfather ended segregation in Cloncurry in the 1960s.Robbie opposes 'The Voice'. His essay is a case of the issues canvassed in Rick Brown's essay: people in the inner metropolitan suburbs in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, including middle-class Aboriginals, pontificating about the best interests of Aboriginals in regional and rural Australia.He argues that if the 'The Voice' were passed it would not improve the circumstances, opportunities or lifestyles of the Aboriginals with whom he interacts on a daily basis. In fact, he said he could be counter-productive because passing the referendum could provide people with an excuse to say that they had fixed the Aboriginal issues and move on to the next cause.He also highlights the hypocrisy of politicians who support The Voice, but oppose concrete, practical measures which could provide them with opportunities and improve their lives.Rick Brown's essay is confronting and challenging. However, there is good news. This year there are signs of green shoots of resistance through consumers applying their power and via élite sports players in the USA, people power in Europe, and most recently, the extraordinary Nigel Farage.Just as the fact that there are people like Robbie Katter at the coalface gives cause for hope.

Rio Tinto in Australia charts the establishment and remarkable growth of Rio Tinto, including exploration in the 1950s, acquisition of the Mary Kathleen uranium deposit, and the 1962 combination with Consolidated Zinc to form Conzinc Riotinto of Australia (CRA). CRA was the major contributor to Australia's post-war mining industry. Comalco aluminium, Hamersley iron ore and the major Bougainville copper operation were all significant parts of the portfolio.Many individuals played a role in CRA's development, among them legendary mining figure Sir Maurice Mawby, and Oxford and Harvard-educated Sir Rod Carnegie, who ultimately left the company when his quest for CRA's independence and Australianisation fractured relations with London. RTZ and CRA combined in 1996 to form a dual listed company structure. The CRA name disappeared and Rio Tinto again became - as it was in 1954 - the identity of the Group in Australia. Many involved in the long and impressive growth of Consolidated Zinc and CRA saw this combination as the reassertion of control from London.... a revealing history of the post-war mining boom that changed the nation but also an insight into the politics of big business. The book says much that will be new to historians, commentators and leaders of the mining industry.Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC... an authoritative addition to Australian business history. What sets this work apart is the richness of the narrative, and the author's sophisticated understanding of the roles played by directors and senior managers in shaping this important multinational company ...David Merrett, Emeritus Professor, University of Melbourne... indispensable reading for anyone interested in Australia's mining history and its post-war economic development.David Lee, Associate Professor, University of New South Wales, Canberra... a very important contribution to good business histories in Australia. The dynamic between the Australian and the London-based executives reveals much about the challenges of running an increasingly global enterprise in the post 1945 era.Erik Eklund, Honorary Professor, Australian National UniversityDr Robert Porter worked in the corporate sector, including in resource companies and now researches and writes business histories. His publications include: Paul Hasluck. A Political Biography; Below the Sands. The Companies that Formed Iluka Resources; Consolidated Gold Fields in Australia, the Rise and Decline of a British Mining House, 1926-1998; The Path to Palladium. He lives in Melbourne.

What is the Maronite Catholic faith? It is a Church which professes the same creed as the Universal Catholic Church. It is an expression of the revelation and sacramental dispensation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, addressed to a people who shared the Aramaic language and culture of the Semitic world into which He Himself was born. If we think of it as a tree, then its seed was planted by the teaching of Our Lord Jesus Christ, as passed on through His apostles. In the person of St Maroun of Syria, that seed put down roots. Then, through his disciples, who journeyed to Lebanon, a sapling shot up from the soil of Lebanon. Finally, a full-grown cedar appeared, tended by St Yuhanna Maroun (a monk from a Syrian monastery named after St Maroun), who was elected Patriarch of Antioch to preserve the Christian faith. -- From the Introduction

For Secondary School childrenTHE PERFECT GIFT FOR ALL THE GRANDCHILDRENBook 2 of three booksBook 1 - Primary SchoolBook 3 - Post High SchoolFun and entertaining, this is the perfect introduction to climate change.Volume 2 is for high school students and deals with climate change, renewable energy and EVs in a humorous, irreverent, seditious and entertaining style."I find it frustrating, as a lay person, to find answers to technical questions. You see gigantic wind turbines appearing all over the country, but there is very little about the practical value of these monstrosities.....When will common sense and good science prevail and what happens if it does not fairly soon?" Letter from HRH Prince Philip to Professor Plimer, 29th April 2018. This book attempts to answer the questions raised by the late Duke of Edinburgh.PROFESSOR IAN PLIMER is Australia's best-known geologist. He is Emeritus Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Melbourne, where he was Professor and Head of Earth Sciences. He was Professor at the University of Newcastle, Professor at The University of Adelaide and Professor in Munich (Germany). He was also on the staff at the University of New England, the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University and North Broken Hill Ltd.He has published more than 130 scientific papers on geology and was an editor of the Encyclopedia of Geology. This is his thirteenth book written for the general public. Professor Plimer has received numerous national and international awards for his scientific work.A new Broken Hill mineral, plimerite, was named in recognition of his contribution to Broken Hill geology. A ground-hunting rainforest spider Austrotengella plimeri from the Tweed Range (NSW) has been named in his honour.

For post-High SchoolTHE PERFECT GIFT FOR ALL THE GRANDCHILDRENThe third of three booksBook 1 - Primary SchoolBook 2 - Secondary SchoolFun and entertaining, this is the perfect introduction to climate change.Volume 3 is for teens to wrinklies and shows the long history of the planet, its climate changes and how climate policy will have a profound negative effect on their generation. "I find it frustrating, as a lay person, to find answers to technical questions. You see gigantic wind turbines appearing all over the country, but there is very little about the practical value of these monstrosities.....When will common sense and good science prevail and what happens if it does not fairly soon?" Letter from HRH Prince Philip to Professor Plimer, 29th April 2018. This book attempts to answer the questions raised by the late Duke of Edinburgh.PROFESSOR IAN PLIMER is Australia's best-known geologist. He is Emeritus Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Melbourne, where he was Professor and Head of Earth Sciences. He was Professor at the University of Newcastle, Professor at The University of Adelaide and Professor in Munich (Germany). He was also on the staff at the University of New England, the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University and North Broken Hill Ltd.He has published more than 130 scientific papers on geology and was an editor of the Encyclopedia of Geology. This is his thirteenth book written for the general public. Professor Plimer has received numerous national and international awards for his scientific work.A new Broken Hill mineral, plimerite, was named in recognition of his contribution to Broken Hill geology. A ground-hunting rainforest spider Austrotengella plimeri from the Tweed Range (NSW) has been named in his honour.