It's a bird... it's a 'plane...

...no, it was the salvation of the travel industry c.1995 and led to one of the Travelweek editorial cartoons of which I was most fond. The task of depicting a windfall financial bonanza for the travel industry seemed daunting until I suddenly had the brain-wave of using the Japanese Yen currency symbol as the shadow of a flying machine. Very satisfying.

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By George... he's done it! Someone must've weazeled-out on us?

Vale Lee Kuan Yew 1923 - 2015

A great 'doer' who transformed Singapore from a grubby colonial back-water into an independent, vibrant and progressive city state republic, which he ruled for over three decades. Although nominally democratic, Lee's Singapore was virtually a one party state because of the overwhelming and sustained popularity of his People's Action Party. I visited the city frequently during the 1970s growing to love the place and its people amongst whom I made many, many friends. The only sadness I ever encountered there was my own feeling when the constantly growing  new city finally engulfed the original authentic china-town section.

This was a c.1981 pen and ink caricature sketch I made of the great man... probably from live TV.

'Robo-phoning'...GRRrrrr!

Report today that there's disquiet in the federal Liberal en-campment, over 'Baird the younger'
inviting Malcolm Turnbull instead of Tony Abbott to participate in 'robo'-phoning punters for support  in 'iffy' electorates before the 'close of play' on Friday night.

Both sides did that to me in the run-up to the recent Victorian election. I banged the phone down on both 'robots'... ranking them in my popularity poll of unsolicited phone canvassing along with the pests who do it for major Australian corporations and outlaw 'scammers'! What makes politicians think ordinary Australians want their privacy invaded by telephone spruikers peddling ANYTHING!?

The Eyes have it!

Julie B. rolls out her unspoken opinion of mooted budget cuts?

Coffs and Coles

The Coffs Harbour Rotary Cartoon Awards are on again for the 27th year. Entries deadline is June 21st.  The awards night is July 18th. Get moving 'toonies.

The Bairds of NSW.

I know very little of NSW state politics... but, trolling the archives today I came across a cartoon or two featuring Bruce Baird and a distinct NSW connection, Could he be related to the present Premier of that state I pondered. Of course he could chortled Google. He's Mike's dad!

Bruce first came under my scrutiny as NSW Tourism Minister who c,1995(?) abandoned his NSW Coalition brethren to try his arm as a Federal MP in the 1998 election.

Being on the cusp of a NSW election starring Mike Baird in a featured role ... I'm blaming nostalgia  for  the coicidental running of this old 'toon.