Ross Fitzgerald

A useful book. Poor Queensland, one has to say. The balance between human habitation and nature's ability to sustain was upset by settlement from abroad. The viciousness of the original convict settlement in Moreton Bay, under Capt. Patrick Logan was Queensland's first black mark.
Settlers, haunted by the fear of missing out, dashed about the new land chasing wealth. Wool, cattle, sugar-cane, gold, wheat, land consolidation, all contributed to a feverish scavenging of land. A lucky few got the wealth.
The others, Aboriginal, Chinese gold-diggers, Kanaka indentured labourers, miners were met with the most terrible violence and harsh legislation whenever they in any way threatened "development" and the social cohesion of the strong petty-bourgeois mentality of the newcomer.
The book is a good starter for an overview of the period up to 1915. It's nearly forty years since publication. However, it does set the scene for Queensland in the Twentieth Century where the dominant ethos in the state remained "development" as the prime motivator.… (más)

This is a collection of essays and writings capturing the agony and the ecstasy of our great game from some of Australia's best storytellers. Contributors share their oval dreams in reflections ranging from witty and affectionate reminiscences and expressions of hope for the future, to statements of deep alienation and betrayal. Featured writers include Don Watson, Paul Kelly, Geoffrey Blainey, Gerald Murnane, Paul Daffey, John Harms, Emma Quayle, Barry Oakley, Peter Corris, Manfred Jurgensen, Kate Eltham, Vin Maskell, Peter Schwab and many more. A revised and updated edition of The Greatest Game -- first published in 1988 -- the book retains a selection of the most poignant writings from the original version, including those by historian Manning Clark, playwright David Williamson and broadcaster Andrea Stretton. Edited publisher's description sourced from Trove.… (más)

A landmark collection of quality writing on the game by some of Australia's finest writers, historians, academics, broadcasters, sports journalists and one former VFL footballer, Brent Crosswell. Contains 55 mostly non-fiction works, with some poetry, literature and drama. Regrettably, only four pieces are by women. Many pieces are reflections on the joys of football to spectators or players. Some depict the impact of football upon the unconverted, while others look at suburban and school footy, historical issues and elite level competition. Most of the works were published between 1984 and 1987. Comprehensive source notes indicating the original publication sources are also provided. A new edition of this work, by the same editors titled, Australia’s Game: Stories, Essays, Verse & Drama inspired by the Australian Game of Football, was published in 2013.… (más)

Fitzgerald’s inside account examines the Bears’ coming of age in season 1995, when they made their first finals appearance in the AFL competition. Fitzgerald is a noted historian, novelist and political commentator, who brings these skills into his account of the Bears’ dramatic 1995 season. The on-field action is described, but so too is the short history of the club, its politics and the financial and marketing issues for an AFL club in a state dominated by Rugby League and Rugby Union. This volume also contains several black and whites plates and for trivia buffs, a full team list for 1995 at the end of the book includes 'nicknames' for all players… (más)