Australia: A History: How an Ancient Land Became a Great Democracyby Tony AbbottHarperCollins, 2025, 395 pages, $39.99“He who controls the past, controls the future” wrote George Orwell in his classic work Nineteen Eighty-Four. This is something Tony Abbott doubtless had in mind as he set himself to writing this history of Australia. While many former PMs have written memoirs, Abbott is the first to have shunned that form of self-justification in favour of writing, instead, what amounts to a strong defence of the country itself. His working title, as he …
Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen, Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication ( Hybrid: Melbourne, August 2024, $24.99)
It isn’t always in the headlines but in Australia our treatment of the elderly needs our urgent attention. Occasionally politicians and others cast an eye in the direction of this subject but it warrants so much more.So after collaborating on a suite of political satires my co-author Ian McFadyen and I decided to change tack to address an issue that could well be the next big inconvenient truth – the disgrace of our treatment of the …
Some thoughts on Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication(Hybrid Publishers: Melbourne, $24.99)
“It’s a great read, funny, wry and just cynical enough but with a strain of hope throughout that reflects reality.” – Bridget Shapter
“Chalk and Cheese is a work of brilliantly cinematic quality.” –Nigel Marsh, Smart, Stupid & Sixty
“… my current top Australian fiction read this year.” – Eamonn O’Hanlon, The Sydney Institute Review of Books, September 2025
” … quite remarkable writing about the contrasting values that dominate contemporary society … absolutely splendid writing deserving of significant recognition” – …
History holds hope in a role model for unloved Andrew Andrew Mountbatten Windsor
The public scandal involving the former Prince Andrew has been a tragedy for all concerned, not least in creating a schism between King Charles and his younger brother, say ROSS FITZGERALD and DICK WHITAKER.
Although he persists in denying any wrongdoing, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor – the Royal formerly known as Prince Andrew – has become a pariah in the UK and around the globe.
After further damaging revelations about his alleged misbehaviour in the late Virginia Giuffre’s book Nobody’s Girl, his …
Some thoughts on Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen, Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication (Hybrid Publishing Melbournre, $24.99) by Bridget Shapter
Although I think it’s highly optimistic that a podcast could insight such a rapid change in the political system, I enjoyed immersing myself in a world where that was a reality.
Conceptually, Chalk and Cheese is really brilliant – political enemies, unified by a failing government that is letting down all sides of the nation. Ben and Bill are great leaders of their respective movements – Ben a much stronger voice, but Bill …
by Andrew Drummond
Ross has sapphire eyes,
Atheists faith his prayers do rise
Used by God, he never knew
the heavens paused, souls he drew
heaven purgatory or hell
his testimonies made all heavens swell
the final curtain will play his song,
mate I had your back all along,
a lovely wife awaits this place,
no more tears just abounding grace
enjoy the moon stars and sun
all free gifts like sobriety won
…
Take Time, (former Prince) Andrew, to Read of DavidMarcella ManningNov 09 2025
The Profumo Example (Quadrant Online, Nov 04) offers an alternative future for the newly re-titled Mr. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor instead of existing as a social pariah. Ross Fitzgerald and Dick Whitaker’s outline of John Profumo’s honest repentance, public remorse, and charitable good works is a wake-up call to those who follow the Jewish-Christian tradition in regard to any abusive predator. For three thousand years the rehabilitation of David from his sexually perverted behaviour and subsequent transformation into the most famous, …
The Profumo ExampleRoss Fitzgerald and Dick WhitakerNov 04 2025
The public scandal involving Andrew Mountbatten Windsor — the Royal formerly known as Prince Andrew — has been a tragedy for all concerned, not least in creating a schism between King Charles and his younger brother.
Although he persists in denying any wrongdoing, Andrew has become a pariah in the UK and around the globe. After further damaging revelations about his alleged misbehaviour in the late Virginia Giuffre’s book Nobody’s Girl his situation became untenable and, more than that, could irreparably damage a …
ABC Brisbane Radio Steve Austin’s speech at the Queensland launch of Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen Chalk & Cheese: A Fabrication (Hybrid Publishers: Melbourne, $24.99).
Ladies and gentlemen,
Tonight, we celebrate two great Australian storytellers — Emeritus Professor Ross Fitzgerald and comedy legend Ian McFadyen — and their latest joint creation, Chalk & Cheese: A Fabrication, published by Hybrid Publishers.
Now, the title is fitting — because if ever two men embodied “chalk and cheese,” it’s these two. Ross is a historian, political commentator, and prolific author — over forty books, countless newspaper columns, and more opinions than most of …
Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication, by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyenHybrid Publishing. Melbourne $24.99Do you worry about how the elderly are treated in nursing homes?
Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication, by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen Buy now $24.99Also purchase as an eBookAmazonGoogle BooksKobo BooksAlso available from all good bookstores“Chalk and Cheese is a work of brilliantly cinematic quality.” –Nigel Marsh, Smart, Stupid & Sixty“… my current top Australian fiction read this year.” – Eamonn O’Hanlon, The Sydney Institute Review of Books, September 2025
” … quite remarkable writing about the contrasting …
Abbott delves into Down Under
________________________________________Tony Abbott Australia: A History, HarperCollins Australia, pp 395 $ 39.99ROSS FITZGERALD
“He who controls the past, controls the future” wrote George Orwell in his classic work, 1984. This is something Tony Abbott doubtless had in mind as he set himself to writing this history of Australia: How an Ancient Land Became a Great Democracy. While many former PMs have written memoirs, Abbott is the first to have shunned that form of self-justification in favour of writing, instead, what amounts to a strong defence of the …
