Not gathering nuggets in May

Readers are continuing to double up (C8). Take Michael McFadyen of Kareela: “When I started work at NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in the late 1970s we had a formidable receptionist in the wildlife division called May May. However, she was always Mrs May to everyone, no matter their seniority. By the way, she was married to Norman May, but not that one.”

Moving on to the medical multiples (C8), Peter Moran of Shell Cove wonders if “recent correspondents have forced me to consider the possibility it was a plea to a specific person when Robert Palmer sang, ‘Doctor Doctor, give me the news’.”

Col Burns of Lugarno reckons that “some professionals develop an overinflated self-importance due to their titles. Several years ago my chief flight attendant was reduced to tears after a female passenger publicly berated her for not being addressed as ‘Doctor’ while boarding. Not surprisingly, she was overcome by a newfound sense of humility when I insisted that unless an apology was forthcoming she’d be immediately returning to the terminal.”

Just imagine if Col’s crew had to deal with any boffins from the ’Gong: “The examples in C8 to date pale into insignificance compared with Professor Dr Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhom,” notes Anne Baillie of St Georges Basin. “She earned a PhD in organic chemistry and was awarded an honorary doctor of science by the University of Wollongong.”

Can’t help thinking Tim Slack-Smith of Castle Hill is one such boffin when he muses: “As an aside, surely Chips Mackinolty (C8) was nicknamed ‘Fission’?”

Actually, Mr Mackinolty has other skills, as shown by the striking screen print of Malcolm Fraser, commissioned during the “Life wasn’t meant to be easy” epoch, hanging in the abode of Granny’s eldest. It is a fine piece of Australian political pop art.

“Soon the HSC results for 2025 will be released after an army of teachers has read thousands of pages of essays,” writes John Bailey of Canterbury. “The stress of the exams often meant students made simple mistakes that markers were instructed to ignore. A couple of favourites included misspelling the murderous leader of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge as Pot Plant and naming the brutal symbol of Nazism a squash sticker.” Must have been from an agricultural college.

“Hate to mention it but among Rowing Australia’s Rower of the Year award winners is one Georgina Rowe.” We thank Jim Pollitt of Wahroonga.

Column8@smh.com.au
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