Cut durry damage by vaping
by ROSS FITZGERALD
Although Sydney was once the epicentre of Australia’s HIV epidemic, it may soon become the first city in the world to effectively eliminate HIV transmission.
This remarkable achievement will be because of a focus on reducing the adverse consequences of risk rather than trying to reduce or eliminate it.
In other words, harm reduction. The result was the saving of many thousands of lives and billions of dollars.
Sadly, the outstanding success of Australia’s early efforts to control HIV is in stark contrast to Australian policy in …
Friends,
Pandemonium. is featured in ‘Fulbright in Focus’ November 2023.https://www.fulbright.org.au/news-and-events/The above links to my article on the Fulbright website, containing the full text, two reviews, and links to the publisher:
PandemoniumNew Book from Professor Ross Fitzgerald AM
“I am a very grateful recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio in the mid 1960s. Indeed it was being in America on a Fulbright that enabled me to eventually become a Professor in History & Politics and, more importantly to start a career as a writer of fiction and …
After I drove a car off the Menangle Bridge, near Camden in 1963, I was flown by air ambulance to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. When I arrived, Dr Miles Little was on duty as the surgical registrar. He and his team operated on me for almost eight hours and, as a result, saved my life.Even though I was then barely 19, he also was the first person to tell me that I was an alcoholic.This is because, after I was switched from a lengthy stay in ICU, I pulled …
Humphries family to boycott memorial by Briana DomjenFriends and family of late comedian Barry Humphries are “aghast” Richard Wilkins has been enlisted to MC his memorial — and some won’t be attending in protest.Barry Humphries’ “many lives” will be celebrated in a special state memorial at the Sydney Opera House next month, but an apparent difference of opinion between his widow, Lizzie Spender, and others, including Humphries’ daughter Emily, means many friends and family will not attend the event, which is …
Here is my speech at launch of the ninth Grafton Everest political satire, Pandemonium. The Olsen Gallery, Sydney, 6.30 pm, 14 November, 2023ROSS FITZGERALD Many critics have claimed to know how Grafton Everest – the bumbling, overweight, teetotal Professor in Life Skills from the University of Mangoland, who’s the central character in all my political satires – got his name.Two claimants stand out.The first – A professor of linguistics who stated that, after analysing my first four fictions, it was obvious that Grafton Everest was a code for ‘Graft and …
AUSTRALIAN BOOKS
Rip-roaring Satire in Iota
Pandemonium by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen
Hybrid $32.99, 297 pages
Reviewed by Rocco Loiacono
This novel is the ninth book of the satirical series concerning Grafton Everest, a rambunctious, overweight, fictional academic who, as the book’s opening paragraph states, has been appointed, ‘once again through no ability, effort or desire of his own, to the position of Secretary-General of the …
Today November 5, 2023 is Guy Fawkes Day.
On November 5, 1974, when I was four years sober, I met my darling wife and friend of 45 years, Lyndal Moor.
This occurred at a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.
My longtime friend Barry Humphries had asked would I go there because Lyndal, who was living with his manager Clyde Packer, planned to attend her first AA meeting.
My first words to Lyndal after the meeting were, “If you only knew what could happen to you if you stay close …
He comes from a place that resembles Queensland and now Professor Ross Fitzgerald’s shambolic academic and former politician Grafton Everest is back in a new satirical novel and you will never guess what he’s up to now..
Author Ross Fitzgerald’s shambolic fictional character Grafton Everest back in a new novel and this time around he’s the boss of the world.
Grafton Everest is the shambolic former Australian independent senator recently elevated to become the first Australian Secretary-General of the United Nations. You didn’t hear about this?
Well then, you need to read about …
Friends, Here’s my review of Maz Compton’s Last Drinks.
Maz Compton, Last Drinks: How to Drink Less and Be Your Best, John Wiley & Sons, 2023, pp 240, ISBN 9781394184231, $32.95
ROSS FITZGERALD
Many Australians now realise that our booze-obsessed culture is extremely destructive. The murder, mayhem, individual, societal and family destruction that alcohol abuse leaves in its wake is, if you’ll pardon the pun, sobering.
When he died in April this year, my friend of 61 years, Barry Humphries, was 53 years sober. As with men and women from all walks of life, whether they …
Here’s the first review of Pandemonium. “This is the best Grafton Everest satire yet.” – Ken Spillman
Pandemonium
By Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen
Hybrid Publishers: Melbourne, $32.99
Review by Ken Spillman
The late Barry Humphries knew a thing or two about creating memorable characters. It’s notable, then, that the front cover of Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s latest collaboration, Pandemonium, quotes Humphries’ view that ‘Grafton Everest is a wonderful creation’.
And so he is. In this latest satire, the world-weary Grafton’s escapades stem from his baffling appointment as Australia’s first Secretary-General of the United Nations. …
Please spread the word about Paul Bugden’s excellent new play Stardust. It played to sell out houses as part of World Pride Sydney 2023.This production is part of The Sydney Fringe Festival playing at Flight Path Theatre, Marrickville.
More details: https://sydneyfringe.com/events/stardust/
Stardust | Sydney Fringe
sydneyfringe.com
Paul Bugden <bugdensbooks@bigpond.com>
Professor Ross Fitzgerald AM
