New growth on a Norfolk Pine Coogee of the 1950s was an idyllic place for children. It had changed little since the 1930s. Great Norfolk Pine Trees populated the foreshore parks exuding a beautiful resinous scent that mingled with the smell of the sea. Coogee Beach from the southern Point, with Wylies Baths in the … Continue reading From Coogee in 1950s to Global Marine Plastic Pollution
Category: geography
#COVID19 and writing about Jakarta Dois
Being forced to remain at home for long periods through this pandemic is an existential challenge for some, for me it's ushered in a new dawn for my creative writing. There is no longer the excuse or distraction of browsing through Chinatown or Little India. People in my age group have been advised to … Continue reading #COVID19 and writing about Jakarta Dois
A Young Indonesian’s Creative Approach: Peatland Fires and Reforestation
In May 2017 I visited Sungai Tohor on the Island of Tebingtinggi. The visit was organised by with the Singapore group People's Movement to Stop the Haze - PMHaze. This area is within the Kabupaten of Meranti in Indonesia's Riau Province. I've written numerous pieces and a short story about the challenges faced by the … Continue reading A Young Indonesian’s Creative Approach: Peatland Fires and Reforestation
About the book ‘Seen and unseen: a century of stories from Asia and the Pacific’
‘Seen and Unseen: a century of stories from Asia and the Pacific’, is 29 short stories in the genre of creative non-fiction. Tracing Australian connections with Asia and the Pacific through three generations, it is published in 2015 by Glass House Books an imprint of Interactive Publications (IP) ISBN: 9781925231182. Also, in Kindle and as … Continue reading About the book ‘Seen and unseen: a century of stories from Asia and the Pacific’
Geomorphic reflections
One of the main reasons I've moved house was the absolute racket emanating from the building site next to my old place. At first the disruption was modest preparation, over a month or so. It involved clearing a former parking lot, felling trees, building site huts, planning and constructing site drainage, installing generators, lighting and … Continue reading Geomorphic reflections
Otters on the Singapore River
My posts are usually more serious than this one, but I'm enchanted by the otters that live along the Singapore River. Of course, they are wild animals despite their successful adaptation to urban life. These days they're experts at navigating the maze of drains and conduits developed here to help manage the equatorial downpours. They're … Continue reading Otters on the Singapore River
Where the crow flies backwards
S.S. Nile on the bed of the Darling River south of Bourke, NSW, during a drought. The image was taken by the journalist C. E. W. Bean for the Sydney Morning Herald, circa 1909, (Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons, object no. 00017014). This isn't a long post just a footnote about the Darling … Continue reading Where the crow flies backwards
Cubbie: An Uncle’s Tale
This is a story from Ronni Salt, @MsVeruca on Twitter. I've restructured it a little and added some supporting links, articles and active graphics. “Back home at the farm,” she said, “uncle called and regaled us with a yarn about Cubbie Station, the largest private water holder in the southern hemisphere.” The gist of his story … Continue reading Cubbie: An Uncle’s Tale
Jambi Province Sumatra where 90% of fires are deliberately lite
Yesterday, I woke up and stepped out of my 19th-floor apartment, on the way to church. Passing the light well, its orientation one that scoops in sea breezes, the first thing I smelled was that familiar odour of distant fires. I realise now that it was probably blowing in from Sumatra's Jambi Province, Desa Rimau … Continue reading Jambi Province Sumatra where 90% of fires are deliberately lite
Unregistered Plantation in Riau Encroaching on Giam Siak Kecil Biosphere Reserve
Figure 1: Clearing on the margins of an unregistered plantation in the Siak Kecil area of Riau Province When I first saw this image it saddened me. I had already travelled through the region, not precisely this spot at 0° 59' 54.9996' N, 101° 53' 3.0012' E, but further to the north and west. Travelling … Continue reading Unregistered Plantation in Riau Encroaching on Giam Siak Kecil Biosphere Reserve
Russell Darnley Blog 