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Steve Cannane's book First Tests - Great Australian Cricketers and the Backyards That made Them
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9-/-0/2009 |
Australia has dominated test cricket over the last 130 years. But it’s not the formal cricket academies or high-end coaching that are responsible for the Australian cricket team’s winning ways. The backyard has been the real academy of Australian cricket.
Don Bradman’s unique grip, stance and backlift all evolved in response to the pace at which the golf ball rebounded off the tank stand in his backyard games. Greg Chappell’s trademark flick off the hip shot was invented on his backyard wicket where the best scoring opportunities lay on the leg side. Alan Davidson bowled accurately because he had to. If he missed the stumps on his home-made pitch, he had to chase the ball down the hill into the scrub. Doug Walters played spin with ease because his ant-bed backyard pitch spun like a top. Neil Harvey’s immaculate footwork came from playing balls that darted viciously off the cobblestones in his back lane.
This collection of cricketers and the stories of the backyards that made them gets to the heart and soul of their game. Facing up to hostile brothers on dodgy pitches created a love of competition and developed the skills and the toughness that took them to the top in test cricket.
Steve Cannane is a Walkley Award-winning ABC broadcaster and journalist.
For further information on Steve please click the following link Steve Cannane
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Tanya Ha's new book 'Green Stuff for Kids' launched to coincide with National Science Week
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Environmentalist, television presenter and best-selling author Tanya Ha has just been announced as a National Tour Guest and Ambassador for National Science Week 2009 , August 15-23. Originally a science graduate and a science communicator by trade, Tanya will tour the country delivering presentations and public lectures to promote science, science education and the role science plays in sustainability.
Tanya's latest book 'Green Stuff for Kids' will be launched as part of National Science Week and she will be delivering green-themed science presentations for school groups during the Science Week tour. Jam-packed with fun facts, eco-activities, information and green tips, 'Green Stuff for Kids' covers a huge range of environmental issues and hot topics, including air pollution, biodegradability, climate change, e-waste, litter, recycling and water conservation. Tanya shows readers aged 10+ that our beautiful but fragile planet really is an interesting place and one worth looking after. 'Green Stuff for Kids' is all about exploring environmental issues and finding out what makes the planet tick. For further information about Tanya please click on the following link Tanya Ha
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Congratulations to Jon Dee being named NSW Australian of the Year for 2010
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Mr Dee, from Katoomba in the NSW Blue Mountains, received the honour at a ceremony in Sydney on Wednesday night.
The 45-year-old, who founded Planet Ark in 1991 with tennis player Pat Cash, was behind the push to phase out incandescent light bulbs and plastic bags in Australia.
He is also behind successful recycling initiatives including Cards 4 Planet Ark, a project that has recycled over half a billion greeting cards.
"His passion for positive environmental change is not only inspirational, but creates an active awareness in people of how they can contribute to protecting the environment in practical, everyday actions," the award organisers said in a statement.
For more information on Jon click the following link Jon Dee
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Dr Karl's GET FACT
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He may be better known for his work on television, radio and his dozens of popular science books, but Dr Karl Kruszelnicki saw an opportunity to branch out into other media – and fulfill a lifelong dream at the same time: to sing in a punk band.
The result is a song called GET FACT, inspired by the very same thing that spawned the punk generation decades ago: the need to vent frustration. For the punks, it was a desire to rail against society in general, but for Dr Karl, it’s the massive amounts of scientific disinformation being spread on the internet that prompted him to unleash his vocal cords.
Of course, one man can’t make a punk song, so Dr Karl turned to the experts, enlisting the help of punk legend Jay Whalley from Frenzal Rhomb to help pen the music, his colleague Caroline 'Pegs' Pegram to scribe some lyrics, and prominent Aussie producer Justin Shave to work his magic in the studio.
"...a punk song about science with Dr K on lead vocals?" asked Jay. "Hold the phone and cancel my appointments for the rest of the day, there's a state to be smashed! and Dr K's on the wrecking ball! Get Fact!"
"When I heard there was a gig going writing and producing a punk track for Dr Karl, I hopped on the next flight back to Australia!" said music producer Justin Shave.
In the grand punk tradition, the song is short and to the point, with Dr Karl channeling his inner Ramone to provide a punchy counterpoint to the raging, wailing guitars of Jay Whalley. But best of all, it also packs a message to everyone that hears it: Make sure you do your research properly, and arm yourself with the facts about science.
You can be among the first to experience GET FACT, just go to Dr Karl's website
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