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Beasts of burden

9/3/2018

9 Comments

 
Cover of Just a Bunch of Cow Cockies, a history of the Murray Goulburn Dairy Co-operative, by Catherine Watson
Bob Middleton mourns the loss of Australia’s last great dairy farmers’ co-operative. ​


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Bedtime stories

12/2/2018

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In a violent world, Bob Middleton hankers for a bit more fantasy. Cartoon by Natasha Williams-Novak


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Man about town

20/10/2017

3 Comments

 
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Cartoon: Natasha Williams-Novak
By Bob Middleton
 
BEEN a while now since we made the move down from the hills of Jeetho West to the lowlands of Wonthaggi. The words from Mark Knopfler’s song Brothers in Arms keep resounding in my ears, though the line “These mist covered mountains are a home now for me,  but my home’s in the lowlands and always will be” will need some rejigging to fit our situation.

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Crossing the border

15/3/2017

5 Comments

 
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These days, Bob Middleton has given up outback safaris for a more sedate mode of travel but he still finds himself in strife.

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Michael of Krowera

12/3/2016

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PictureCartoon by Natasha Williams-Novak
Michael is a man with a problem.  He has a weak heart, the kind that melts when he sees someone or something in need. 


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Man and machine

21/11/2015

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PictureCartoon by Natasha Williams-Novak
Bob Middleton wonders wonder how his father would cope with the world today if given the chance to revisit.


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The final flight

15/8/2015

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Bob Middleton grieves for a gentle creature brought undone by an apparently never-ending landscape. 
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Dead bird study: pen and ink drawing by Kristen D’Aquila

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In memoriam: footy, laughter and war

18/7/2015

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A turn around the Loch footy oval has Bob Middleton contemplating the roar of the crowd and the waste of war.
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Footy has returned to Loch after 22 years' absence.

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Time marches on

21/3/2015

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PictureCartoon by Natasha Williams-Novak
One minute you’re in your prime; the next people are offering you their seat. Bob Middleton contemplates the ignominies – and pleasures – of growing old. 


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Never too late for a fresh start

14/2/2015

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As she prepares for her first exhibition at the age of 85, Wonthaggi artist Kathy West talks to Bob Middleton about the long path to fulfilling her love of art.
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Changing of the guard

22/11/2014

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Maremmas have a long history as guard dogs and now they’re outfoxing chicken killers.
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Banking on a fine single malt

4/10/2014

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The post office and pub have gone, but the small village of Loch continues to reinvent itself in unexpected ways, writes Bob Middleton.
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Express post, tide permitting

16/8/2014

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Rain, gale or fog, the mail always gets over to French Island. Bob Middleton meets a postman with a difference.


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No, Minister!

26/7/2014

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​We shouldn’t have to remind the Minister for the Environment that he is in office to protect our natural treasures, writes Bob Middleton.


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Fibs, whoppers and beautiful lies

7/6/2014

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With the news full of lies and liars, BOB MIDDLETON crosses his heart and swears that some lies are forgiveable.

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Striking the right note

5/4/2014

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Who you gonna call when the piano goes flat or the double bass develops a dud note? Bob Middleton meets Inverloch’s master luthier, born and trained in Stradivarius country. 
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The Bass Coast sound

15/2/2014

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PicturePhoto: Feliciano Guimarães
The non-playing Bob Middleton finds himself talking middle eights and Gibson Firebirds.


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Chance encounter

21/12/2013

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A visit to Punchbowl had Bob Middleton thinking about beagles and foxes and too much hay. 
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Cunning as a chicken killer

13/10/2013

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Bob Middleton was always on the fox’s side, until the night he forgot to lock the chook shed.
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Of plastic bags and paper cups

28/9/2013

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​As he carefully separates his bottles, newspapers and plastic from the rubbish, Bob Middleton has a sneaking suspicion he’s being conned.
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Send in the A team

14/9/2013

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Bob Middleton cheers himself up by imagining his political team of the century.
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Tony Windsor

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A good death

23/8/2013

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"Dying is no great feat, the least of us can do that," wrote Bud Collins. "Living's the trick".
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Cartoon: Bruce Eric Kaplan, The New Yorker

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High times in the old hall

16/8/2013

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Tired of travelling to the city to hear live music, Ian and Suzanne Henderson decided to bring the music to Gippsland.
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Gillian Welch, Meeniyan 2004. Photo: Jesse Marlow

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Balancing the books

6/7/2013

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At $2 a pop, thousands of used book sales add up to a touch of luxury for residents of Melaleuca Lodge. Bob Middleton visited Bill’s Book Shed for the inside story on an island institution.
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Night thoughts

23/6/2013

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While others are dozing, Bob Middleton tackles some of the big issues.
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    Bob Middleton

    Bob Middleton spent his working life in the wool industry, classing, buying, selling and teaching. He has a weakness for horses, dogs and pigeons. Bob died in November 2018.    

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