Return to lender . . .
Geoff Adams has trained and mentored generations of journalists in the region, but some time ago one of his prized possessions disappeared.
Geoff ’s 1985 copy of News Sense by Bob Jervis was lent and never returned.
The textbook was for many years the bible of news reporting, back in the day when cadets were trained in house from school rather than going to university. While a little old-fashioned, the basic principles are as solid today as they were when it was written, so Geoff was thrilled when he spotted a copy at the Hospice book shop.
An old friend reunited
Geoff snapped it up and paid a pittance for it (compared to what Geoff thinks it’s worth).
When he got home he sat down to reminisce and opened up to the first page — and there it was, his name written in his own distinctive handwriting.
Seems whomever he lent the book to moved on to greener pastures and donated the book to charity, only for the unsuspecting former owner to then buy it back.
What are the odds?
Slip, slop, slap, seek
A keen observer raised an interesting point having looked at a picture of a media conference this week.
As the Q&A dragged on and on at Goulburn Valley Health, Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce called for his hat.
The sun rose higher and got hotter but candidates Sam Birrell and Steve Brooks, who have little natural protection, battled on, nodding appreciatively.
Oddie followed up asking whether either of them would opt for a Barnaby special.
‘No’ was the firm response from both, but they were wishing they could seek some cover by pausing the banter and relocating to the shade a few metres away.