Category Archives: Australia

Remembrance poppies in Australia

Poppies on the Roll of Honour. Photograph taken by Kerry Alchin. PAIU2014/128.14

[Read the original of this text at: https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/customs/poppies/]

The Flanders poppy has long been a part of Remembrance Day, the ritual that marks the Armistice of 11 November 1918, and is also increasingly being used as part of Anzac Day observances. During the First World War, red poppies were among the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium. In soldiers’ folklore, the vivid red of the poppy came from the blood of their comrades soaking the ground. Continue reading

Getting to Know: Gordon Keatch

Gordon-and-sons_6098Gordon Keatch

One of our favourite people, Gordon Keatch, has retired as our intrepid “getting to know” columnist. In his letter of retirement, Gord wrote that his monthly column in The Southern Yarn about getting to know members was “a most rewarding and interesting experience”.

We are looking for someone to take over the column, but first we thought we’d let you all “get to know” Gord a little better. Continue reading

An interview with Clive James

Last weekend, Liz Hydesmith caught this delightful interview on CBC’s Sunday Edition between Clive James and Michael Enright.

Clive was born in the Sydney (Australia) suburb of Kogarah, before moving to England in 1962. He has authored more than 30 books, and once wrote of his own writing, “All I can do is turn a phrase until it catches the light.”

For four years, Clive has lived with leukemia and emphysema. It’s a battle he has publicly stated he’s losing, and the end is coming.

This is definitely a podcast worth listening to.

Arnott’s launches new cake-inspired Tim Tam

Arnott’s launches new cake-inspired Tim TamArnott’s, the makers of the iconic Australian chocolate coated Tim Tam biscuits, has launched a new cake-inspired Tim Tam variety in Australia in collaboration with celebrity patissier Adriano Zumbo.

Inspired by the Red Velvet Cup Cake, Tim Tam Red Velvet is a combination of vibrant red biscuits and a velvety cream cheese centre, coated in a layer of Tim Tam milk chocolate.

Mr Zumbo, who is an Australian and French-trained patissier, is best known for his elaborate desserts and has developed a following thanks to his appearances on television show MasterChef in 2010. As part of Tim Tam’s 50th anniversary celebrations this year, Mr Zumbo created three limited edition flavours. Continue reading

New Melbourne inspired coffee roast launched

Black Velvet Night Swimming coffee beansMelbourne coffee roastery and espresso bar Black Velvet Coffee Roasters have launched a new seasonal blend called Night Swimming, which it said was designed to have “a traditional Melbourne flavour”.

Black Velvet Coffee, which is owned and operated by Darren and Jackie Silverman, said Night Swimming is a medium level roast, suiting both black and milk based coffees and all brewing techniques, in particular espresso and on the stovetop. The Company said the roast offered “clean hazelnut aromas, a hint of spice, subtle acidity and a long clean finish”. Continue reading