| Author | Message | ||
     David Matheson Member Username: David_matheson Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2004 |
I note the death a couple of days ago of Sir Joh Bjelke-Peterson at age 94. Joh was the Premier of the state of Queensland from the late 1960s to 1987. When I was growing up in Sydney Joh seemed like a doddery old man whose repressive regime and aggressive capitalism made Queensland the brunt of many jokes. Yet, out of this environment the Go-Betweens were born and began to develop. But perhaps also it was the Sir Joh influence that saw them escape Brisbane and head to London to discover a new audience. And the rest is history. | ||
| Rob Member Username: Rob Post Number: 23 Registered: 12-2004 |
The man was a malevolent thug, and should have done jail time for his undoubted crimes of corruption. It's hard to believe he will be having a state funeral. Then again, the currrent Queensland government is interested in populism above all and this will be an excellent local media "event". Kingaroy's equivalent of JP2's recent festivities in the Vatican. [The late Sir Joh was a native of the small regional town of Kingaroy, well known for its "Big Peanut" landmark] | ||
| Taunton Unregistered guest |
It may be an urban myth,but didn't he once get a highway diverted miles from it's planned route so it went past his favorite pub? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Unregistered guest |
Well said Rob. And it's a good thing the dead can't sue! The current Queensland government is indeed a populist one and looking for a handy distraction to the 'Dr Death' scandal (look it up on Google if you are interested folks). | ||
| Cameron Unregistered guest |
Wow . Cant believe the old biggott was still alive . Ah , the hypocrasy of the adult world . That whole national party crew in the Queensland of the time got away with murder and alot of people who now slag the guy off where right behind him and his red-neck , anti-liberal , anti-humanism, lutheran agenda. Strange how the good tend to die young . Oh well | ||
| Peter Collins Unregistered guest |
On the other hand, Sir John Mills lived to 97 and seems to have been a lovely fella. I met him once and he was. Lovely, that is. | ||
| Austin McLean Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 4 Registered: 09-2004 |
There is a good article on Joh with a great Grant quote: "It's certainly nothing as gruesome as the Stalin years or something like that," said Grant McLennan of the Go-Betweens of the Joh era. "But in Queensland cultural history, if you're really left wing, it's seen as the dark ages." which can be found here: http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Joh-inspired-satirical-songs/2005/04/25/1 114281498028.html | ||
| specialguestappearance Unregistered guest |
Hi Taunton, I believe that was achieved by the late Russ Hinze, one of Joh's more "colourful" ministers. Legend has it that part of the Gold Coast Highway (pre M1 of course) just happened to take a deviation right past the Tavern that Big Russ owned. The off-ramp was well placed as well. (Well it made sense as Russ was Minister for Main Roadsa at the time . . . ) His other famous (apocryphal?) story was when he was Minister for Police and was pulled over late one night with quite a few on board. The young constable was confronted with Russ pulling out a large map of Queensland, unfolding it on the bonnet of his car and rather unsteadily pointing at it and saying, "Now son where do you want to go?" Little wonder the Go-Bees found life less stifling overseas. Great album as well. Looking forward to them doing their Oz tour in July. | ||
| Brook Crowley Member Username: 1_fan Post Number: 17 Registered: 02-2005 |
Please make sure I get to see Lindy, John and Amanda!!!!!!!!! Besides, I guess we need them most of all. |