Jordan Baker has been appointed as the new editor of the Herald, a decision that has sparked a mix of congratulations and curiosity. Ronald Binder from Hurstville expressed his excitement, while also pondering whether Baker’s parents were inspired by literature, specifically F. Scott Fitzgerald and his iconic novel, The Great Gatsby.
In a nostalgic reflection, Bill Reid of Crace recounted attending the fifth Test match in 1963, a memorable event marked by England’s use of three spinners on a dry wicket. He reminisced about the tedium of the match, which was only relieved by the presence of Fred Trueman. Reid recalled how Trueman, handed the ball by the much-maligned Ted Dexter, limped off the field in the final moments, only to be seen later enjoying a drink on the players’ balcony, much to the crowd’s delight.
Another memory from the early 1960s came from Robyn Hansen of Pennant Hills, who recalled the lively atmosphere at the SCG before the popular chant of “Hoggy! Hoggy! Hoggy!” became commonplace. She noted that the crowd used to cheer with the phrase, “a little dab’ll do ya” in support of Richie.
The conversation also turned to the portrayal of “Australian values” in the media. Stephanie Edwards from Leichhardt expressed her concern, stating that the most frequently highlighted value seems to be selfishness, suggesting a need for a broader perspective in news narratives.
The final anecdote came from Ron Besdansky of Northbridge, who shared a humorous encounter with his former teacher, Jock Fraser. After mistakenly believing Fraser had passed away, he was surprised to find him alive and well at a school reunion. This amusing mix-up highlighted the commonality of names among educators in Sydney.
In a light-hearted exchange, Peter Moran‘s musings about names led Toby Waters from Emerald Beach to wonder about the potential name change of Whitney Houston had she married Australian cricketer Mike Whitney. Reflecting on Houston’s visits to Australia in 1988 and 2010, Waters humorously noted that she missed a unique opportunity to become “Whitney Whitney”.
The exchange of memories and reflections from various contributors illustrates the rich tapestry of experiences that come with sports, literature, and culture in Australia. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and stories as well, contributing to the ongoing dialogue that makes the Herald a vibrant platform for diverse voices.
For those looking to contribute, submissions can be sent to [email protected], including name, suburb, and a daytime phone number.
