When asked whether Foster’s stance on the conflict led Grammar to pull the pin, Malpass gave a bit of a non-answer, saying the school remained committed to hearing a wide range of views, perspectives and opinions.
“We are also mindful that the lecture series is delivered in a school campus environment,” he said.
So he didn’t exactly deny it.
Whatever the reason, not everyone in the school community is thrilled, with one parent, who did not want to be named to protect his son, said he was “disgusted” by the move.
“This is the exact opposite of what Grammar is meant to be about, and indeed the Ithaka Lectures – a clash of ideas and broadening minds through debate,” they said.
“If members of the community don’t want to be exposed to uncomfortable ideas, then don’t attend the lecture.”
Couldn’t have put it better ourselves.
LANGUAGE WARNING
Who knew that the nation’s public service broadcaster is dealing with a potty mouth pandemic? That’s the impression given by a “timely reminder” memo from an ABC executive that instructed newsroom staff to stamp out swearing and be “respectful of those working near us from other teams”.
“Bad language won’t be tolerated from any team at any site,” it reads.
At issue is the migration of newsroom staff from the ABC’s Ultimo headquarters in Sydney to what many of the broadcaster’s Sydney staff feel is the western outpost of Parramatta.
This has caused journalists to mix in with civilian teams, with apparently disturbing results.
So much so that alarmed acting NSW Metro editor John McElhinney issued a stern memo to news staff asking them to be respectful of others.
Discussion program Q&A famously had an open mic policy regarding swearing for many years. Maybe it and other programs can follow McElhinney’s suggestion: “Please also go to a quiet space if you need to have long phone calls that could be disruptive to others.”
FOOTING THE BILL
CBD’s news that Bayside Council would be spending over $10,000 in ratepayers’ money to throw a lavish soiree for departing mayor Bill Saravinovski (who is simultaneously facing a mystery NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal case) never really passed the pub test.
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Perhaps someone on council agreed, because this week the event was cancelled. The official reason: Bill’s ill-health. Which was the same reason he gave for not re-contesting recent local government elections, rather than the pressure from Labor powerbrokers to move on.
Anyway, the now-aborted dinner, which was meant to happen at the Grand Roxy Ballroom in Brighton-le-Sands this week, seems even more ridiculous given the council had already given Bill a send-off.
That’s right. Following the final council meeting in August, departing councillors, friends and family were treated to a three-course meal, with hired waitstaff, at Rockdale Town Hall.
And while the event was meant to honour all those moving on, Bill, with his 40 years in local government, was given a standing ovation, and the subject of glowing tributes.
In attendance were a smattering of local Labor powerbrokers, Sports Minister Steve Kamper, and former ALP state upper house MP Shaoquett Moselmane – famous for getting raided by ASIO in a 2020 foreign interference probe (no charges were ever laid) and who wants to succeed Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney in Barton.
We’re glad to hear Bill got his send-off after all.
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