More than 90 per cent of vapes in Australia are now supplied by the black market.“The growing black market for cigarettes, tobacco and vapes in Australia has become increasingly violent, with several homicides attributed to criminal gangs fighting for control,” writes PROFESSOR ROSS FITZGERALD.
Australia’s cigarettes are now the most expensive in the world. Excise has been increased cumulatively by more than 340 per cent in the past 20 years, clearly helping to depress consumption.But the effect of sky-high prices on cigarette consumption in recent years is less certain as smokers …
Elders unite in Chalk and CheesePHIL BROWN 30 AUGUST 2025
Can political adversaries ever find common ground to fight for a cause? They can and they do in Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s latest satirical novel.
Ian McFadyen and Ross Fitzgerald teamed up to write the novel Chalk and Cheese.
Does it take an odd couple to write about an odd couple? If that gives you Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison flashbacks (the diametrically opposed characters of film and TV fame), you get the general idea.
But the odd couple in Ross Fitzgerald and …
Can political adversaries ever find common ground to fight for a cause? They can and they do in Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s latest satirical novel.
Ian McFadyen and Ross Fitzgerald teamed up to write the novel Chalk and Cheese.IDoes it take an odd couple to write about an odd couple? If that gives you Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison flashbacks (the diametrically opposed characters of film and TV fame), you get the general idea.
But the odd couple in Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s latest collaboration, Chalk and Cheese, is Ben …
Time to get real on taxing cigarettes and restricting vapes
ROSS FITZGERALD August 23, 2025
Australia’s cigarettes are now the most expensive in the world. Excise has been increased cumulatively by over 340% in the past 20 years, clearly helping to depress consumption for many years.
But the effect of sky-high prices on cigarette consumption in recent years is less certain as smokers switched increasingly to much less expensive illegal supplies. Excise will be increased by an additional 5% in Australia on 1 September 2025.
The unintended negative consequences of the exceedingly high …
“Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication” is a novel by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen, receivingpositive reviews for its engaging plot and social commentary.
The story, featuring two rival radio personalities in a nursing home, is praised for its humor, warmth, and exploration of themes like aging, elder care, and generational differences. Reviewers highlight the novel’s cinematic quality, memorable characters, and its ability to blend comedy with serious social issues.Here’s a more detailed look at the reviews:Plot and Characters:The novel’s central conflict revolves around Bill and Ben, former radio rivals forced to …
Brisbane launch of Ross Fitzgerald & Ian McFadyen’s CHALK & CHEESE: A Fabrication .
AVID READER BOOKSHOP West End. Brisbane Sunday 2 November 2pm for 2.30pm
Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication – Ross Fitzgerald & Ian McFadyenSUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER | INSTORE EVENTAVID READER BOOKSHOP193 Boundary Street, West End QLD 4101 (07) 3846 3422 2pm for a 2.30pm start | 60 mins
Join us for the launch of Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen.ABOUT THE BOOKRoss Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s powerful new fiction, Chalk and Cheese, is a tale of two 80-year-old …
***Telum Talks To: Ross Fitzgerald – Professor, Journalist, Columnist, Narrative Historian, and Author / Co-authorInterview AustraliaBy Jane Hewitson—Telum Media spoke with Ross Fitzgerald AM, an Emeritus Professor of History and Politics at Griffith University, a Journalist, Columnist, Narrative Historian, and Author / Co-author/ Editor of 46 books. He shares his journey about writing the soon-to-be launched book, “Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication”, and his insights on journalism and storytelling.
What was your publishing journey like for your new book, Chalk and Cheese? As with my Dr Professor Grafton Everest adventures, my collaboration …
Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication, by Ross Fitzgerald & Ian McFadyen (Hybrid, $24.99).Reviewed by MICHAEL BRIODY.
Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s powerful new novel, Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication features two octogenarian former rival radio stars, Bill and Ben, who detest each other – until they find themselves in the same nursing home.
The plot centres around these two men in the twilight of their lives who refuse, as Dylan Thomas wrote, to “go gentle into that good night”.The novel sets the scene for the flood of baby boomers who will boost …
Monash Pioneers, News Snippets July 2025Emeritus Professor Ross Fitzgerald AM and Ian McFadyen’s new book Chalk and Cheese -a fabricationNot only is Ross considered a top tier historian whose newspaper articles and recent SBS TV appearance on Insight about elder health promotes independent thought, he is prolific author, coauthor and editor of forty-six books ranging from the serious to outrageously hilarious fiction with his Grafton Everest series. Fiction maybe but ingrained with some elements of real life (and too pertinent for us aged ones).As a fellow Arts graduate I was always somewhat envious …
Former foes become two angry old peas in a pod(cast)
Authors Ian McFadyen, left, and Ross Fitzgerald.Book review / Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication, by Ross Fitzgerald & Ian McFadyen (Hybrid, $24.99).
Reviewed by MICHAEL BRIODY.
Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen’s powerful new novel, Chalk and Cheese: A Fabrication features two octogenarian former rival radio stars, Bill and Ben, who detest each other – until they find themselves in the same nursing home.
The plot centres around these two men in the twilight of their lives who refuse, as Dylan Thomas wrote, to “go …
Failed vape policy in disarray, but what to do?by Prof Ross Fitzgerald
After New Zealand in 2020 made low-risk vapes easier to buy than high-risk cigarettes, their overall adult smoking declined from 14.5 per cent in 2016 to 6.8 per cent in 2023. Photo: Kindel Media
In Australia, the availability of vapes has been severely restricted to pharmacies. In contrast, high-risk cigarettes continue to be readily available from more than 40,000 outlets. And that’s where the problem starts, says PROF ROSS FITZGERALD.
Australia’s health policy in relation to vapes is in disarray. Yet …
