John Howard, Australian conservative

John Howard was the first elected Australian prime minister to identify himself as a conservative; he claimed to be a liberal in economic policy and a conservative in social policy.

Crystal-M Bennett

Biography of Crystal M. Bennett, a pioneering female archaeologist. Includes bibliography of Crystal M. Bennett's publications.

Alan Davidson, Josip Biskic, John Markovski

Three icons of the game of soccer in Australia. Alan Davidson (left), Josip Biskic (centre) and John Markovski of Preston (right). c.1980s.

Adolescence and abuse : trauma and the socio-sexual abject in John Duigans lawn dogs

The article analyzes the presentation of youth in the film "Lawn Dogs," directed by John Duigan. In the film, the child as victim is defined by socio-economic contexts. The author explores the discursive moves by which means the film witnesses or occludes the traumatic experiences suffered by the child and adolescent characters, and how far it articulates a satiric revision of social hierarchies that construct generational identities of gender and class.

Where exactly do ground-foraging woodland birds forage? Foraging sites and microhabitat selection in temperate woodlands of southern Australia

Bird assemblages in woodlands of southern Australia are characterised by a high proportion of ground-foraging species, many of which are experiencing population declines. We examined the foraging sites of 13 species of ground-foraging birds, including four common species and nine declining species, in four study areas representing different woodland types. Microhabitat features were recorded within a 3-m radius of observed foraging points and compared with random points. Significant differences between foraging and random plots were detected for all but one species, clearly indicating selection for foraging habitat. However, levels of dissimilarity between foraging and random plots were low, suggesting that much of the woodland study area is suitable for foraging. Microhabitat features of particular importance for multiple species were a low density of trees and shrubs, a high cover of native herbs, and fallen timber on the ground. Sites amidst dense trees tended not to be used. Several species had more particular requirements, such as the Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) for grass cover and the White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos) for litter cover. There was no evidence that declining species showed a greater degree of selection or were more restricted in the availability of foraging microhabitats than common species. Several of the key attributes of preferred foraging sites, such as tree density, can be actively managed at the local scale. A heterogeneous ground layer is needed to provide suitable foraging habitat for the full suite of ground-foraging birds. Achieving suitable heterogeneity in present-day woodlands will require careful and active management of various disturbance processes.

A checklist for ecological management of landscapes for conservation

The management of landscapes for biological conservation and ecologically sustainable natural resource use are crucial global issues. Research for over two decades has resulted in a large literature, yet there is little consensus on the applicability or even the existence of general principles or broad considerations that could guide landscape conservation. We assess six major themes in the ecology and conservation of landscapes. We identify 13 important issues that need to be considered in developing approaches to landscape conservation. They include recognizing the importance of landscape mosaics (including the integration of terrestrial and aquatic areas), recognizing interactions between vegetation cover and vegetation configuration, using an appropriate landscape conceptual model, maintaining the capacity to recover from disturbance and managing landscapes in an adaptive framework. These considerations are influenced by landscape context, species assemblages and management goals and do not translate directly into on-the-ground management guidelines but they should be recognized by researchers and resource managers when developing guidelines for specific cases. Two crucial overarching issues are: (i) a clearly articulated vision for landscape conservation and (ii) quantifiable objectives that offer unambiguous signposts for measuring progress.

Lost in translation? William Wardell's St John's College, Sydney and Convent and School, Kew

This paper considers two Colleges designed by the nineteenth century architect William Wardell (1823-99): St John’s College, within the University of Sydney (1858-59) and Convent and School, Kew, now known as Genazzano FCJ College Kew, Melbourne (1889). The approach of significant anniversaries for each of the Colleges has been the major impetus behind the current research. Both commissions demonstrate laudable aspirations; difficulty in comprehending and realising the design; partial completions and accretions over time which testify to changes in economic fortune and taste; inappropriate additions; and decades of neglect fuelled by a general misunderstanding of the 19th century for much of the 20th century. At the beginning of the 21st century conservation management plans were commissioned independently for both projects. Using the two Colleges as case studies, this paper examines tradition and its transformation, design and its translation, heritage and its significance.

William Wardell's St John's College within the University of Sydney, 1858-59

Ursula wrote the essay for the catalogue of the Wardell Exhibition.

Australian animation : John Scheffer

Contains never before published data, and represents the only text available that comprehensively documents the working process, techniques and philosophies of this historically important Australian animator. This book consists of original research, based upon video interviews of the animator.