Week 11: Lost in Transmission by Jonathan Harley, The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe and Life in Mamma’s House.

The readings this week were all so different to any previous reading. They all had very unique feelings to them. Especially The Right Stuff, it drew me in instantly I wanted to read faster and faster to find out this “something” was. The language was extremely descriptive, but at the same time was so vague about what was going to come next. Although this is clearly a piece from a novel, I think with if the story has been continued, put in some facts and figures it would make an excellent and enthralling feature story.

Lost in Transmission was a very well written piece, he took you along a journey with him and you could share his honesty in his writing and his discomfort in his new job. I think I enjoyed this piece so much because he made being Australian such an important part of it. The passage when he was yelling at the indian who came to his room, or what he refused his taxi really pointed out the contrast in Australian culture and Indian culture. It also added to his feeling of being so far out of his comfort zone. I did not feel like I was reading a feature story, I think entirely because it was broken up in to chapters. The final passage, I thought, was an excellent way to end it as a feature story and a novel. The comment about Pakistan’s cricket team was not just a signal of the easing tension of the two countries, but also part of Harley’s Australian charm.

Life in Mamma’s house felt most like least like a feature story to me. I noticed he began quite a few passages with “began like any other”. I found this interesting because those days were not like any other to someone who was not familiar with life in prison. I think this was the writer’s way of normalising prison life to the audience. A very interesting read.

Week 10: Pearls Before Breakfast by Gene Weingarten, We have still not lived long enough by Tom Griffiths and NYPD Inaction over a missing black woman found dead sparks a historic racial-bias lawsuit by Sean Gardiner

Of all the readings this week “NYPD Inaction over a missing black woman” stuck with me the most. The story was interesting, the way it was written clearly and including a lot of facts made it really intriguing. I loved the opening, describing Romona’s innocent and gentle nature at first was what dragged me in. I really wanted to know what happened to her and why the NYPD did not do enough to save her. I felt that Gardiner really pulled you in to the story with descriptions and comparing Romona’s case to the missing doctor’s wife put you instantly on Elle Carmichael’s side. It did not feel like a long piece because it was interesting from beginning to end and I think that is an important part of a feature. I wish I could same the same for Weingarten’s feature.

“Pearls before breakfast” tricked me! I was enjoying the first 5 or so pages. I thought Weingarten’s opener was really descriptive and when he described the choices of the passerby when they see a busker I felt connected to the story because I see buskers every morning on my way to work and often struggle with my choice to stop and watch or get to work on time. I enjoyed Weingarten’s witty style of writing in moments such as “HANG ON, WE’LL GET YOU SOME EXPERT HELP.” I think after I got to page 13 though I was so over the story I had to force myself to read it. It became too long winded and I felt like Weingarten was looking for something new and interesting to write, but never quite got there. His closer was quite short news story styled as well, just saying a few less important facts at the end.

“We have still not lived long enough” was a really well though out and opinionated piece. It really painted a picture of what not only the victims of the bushfires went through, but what our country went through. I loved how Griffiths ensured everything tied in to the quote by Judge Leonard Stretton and remained on track throughout the entire story. He pointed out a harsh reality that a lot of us to do not deal with, ‘do we learn from history?’

Feature Openers and Closers

Story One

Opener

Beautiful walks along pretty waterfalls and gorges, an abundance of wineries, river cruises and historic settlements. All of this can be found in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley, an area with a rich culture and great tourism opportunities. The Tamar Valley means a lot of its locals. Retirees have settled there, family wineries have been built and agribusiness is the source of many peoples income. Their lives are peaceful so it only seems natural that their protest techniques match their lifestyle.

Planning for a $2 billion pulp mill is under way and the location is set for Tamar Valley. Much to the disgust of not only the Tamar Valley residents, but also the Australian population the project has state approvals. Mr. Garrett approved the plans to manage the clearing of the mill site in February.

There is still one thing left that needs to be taken care of, the final go-ahead for construction. Opponents of the pulp mill are jumping at their last chance to save the beautiful Tamar Valley with a peaceful community protest. The only thing the need though, is the preparation for the protest that may require them to step outside their comfortable zone.

Closer

Avoiding any “feral actions” by those opposed to the pulp mill is the main aim from these training workshops. The protestors are fighting fair and hold a strong belief that a little bit of manners will go a long, long way.

Story Two

Opener

More than 1500 people were on board the Melody, a luxurious Italian cruise ship. It sailed through the picturesque oceans towards the Jordanian port of Aqaba. It’s hard to believe what happened next. Gunfire shot through the cruise ship’s window injuring a guest on board and a speed boat filled with six men armed with assault rifles attacked the Melody.

This must be the work of fiction? A plot from a crime drama on television? If only that way so, the Melody had been attacked that day by Somali pirates in an incident that has been described as “war”.

Closer

As difficult as it is to grasp, ship hijackings and hostage situations are still a very harsh part of reality on the seas. It is a frightening thought, one that we all hope travellers are made more aware of and security guards are well prepared for.

Feature Practice: Jerry the oldest dog

You don’t hear the world ‘celebrity’ often in the small town of Wilcannia. Located in outback western New South Wales the once “Queen City of the West” is now home to only 750 residents. It had once been the major port on the Darling River, full of beautiful buildings and paddle steamers. Now the few remaining beautiful buildings are the only reminder of that time.

Despite Wilcannia’s small population, the residents, which are about 80% indigenous, live happily and are very welcoming. One part of their lives that means a great deal to them are their animals. Treated as constant companions, these animals help their owners work on the land and are part of the family. One dog is about to prove he is a little more special than his owners already believed he was.

Jerry, a red heeler-bull terrier cross may just be the oldest living dog in the world. After his 27th birthday this Sunday, Jerry will be 189 in dog years. The news of the possible world record comes after the death of 27-year-old beagle Butch from Virginia, USA. As recorded in the 2004 edition of the Guinness Book of Records Butch was recently the oldest living dog in the world until he passed away last July.

Jerry’s age has caused a lot of excitement and quite the fuss around Australia. Dr. Nelson, a vet for the RSPCA travelled to Wilcannia to examine Jerry and confirm his age. “It’s true,” she announced after a lengthy examination. “He will be 27 in human years on Sunday. I have no doubt at all”.

Despite the world record, Jerry is already a celebrity is his home town. His owners, Woody and Aileen Smith have owned him since birth and he is well known in their small community for his kind nature, minus one pet peeve.

“Everybody in Wilcannia knows Jerry and loves him” Woody Smith explained. “He’s a bit of an identity here – a celebrity. He’s never hurt anyone, although he doesn’t like cats in the yard – they’re his one enemy. He means a lot to me. He still comes for a bush walk with me – I take him nearly every night”

Woody Smith is a respected tribal elder and works as a labourer and carpenter for the Wilcannia Council. His daughter, Tanya is 26 years old and grew up along side Jerry. Smith now has grandchildren who also have fallen in love with their family pet. Despite his age Jerry acts as a loyal guard dog to the Smith family. One would think at 189 Jerry would have given up his duties as a working class dog, but his health is outstanding and not even the pain of arthritis can keep him down.

“He is a remarkably solid dog for his age and has not got that wasted look that some animals and old people get” Dr. Nelson informed me during an out interview. “I think it’s partly genetic, but also because he is a fit, roo-hunting dog who used to catch a lot of emu and roo. He is pretty healthy really – quite amazing for his age”

When asked if Jerry still had a lot of year left in him she smiled, “He could push 28 – going on his body condition he could”. Just by looking at Jerry you can believe Dr. Nelson with confidence. He is still taken on walks every night with Woody, something Jerry really looks forward to as he gets so excited he jumps into Woody’s arms like he was still a young pup.

So what is the secret to Jerry’s good health and long life? According to Woody it is his high protein diet of kangaroo, rabbit and emo as well as a “good bush lifestyle”.

Week 3: Mae West Response

I think Mae West outshone the journalist in this piece. The questions were fitting to Mae West and really gave a chance for Mae West to express herself, but at the same time I felt like Mae West was interviewing Charlotte Chandler rather than the other way around. In saying that, I don’t think that Chandler was performing, I think she did a great interview and really understood what was required when interviewing such a charismatic woman. It does seem like performing, just a little, but I think that is just what Mae West brought out from the interviewer. I think her aura made Chandler behave that way.

Week 7: Richard Baker & Paige Williams

I really enjoyed the Richard Baker article. It was a hard hitting investigative pieces and was clear and easy to follow. Kossmann’s actions were shocking to hear and I can imagine being absolutely disgusted if I had of been one of his patients that he operated on for his own personal gain. I imagine this story would have taken some time to research, especially due to Kossmann’s decline when asked to be interviewed. Uncovering such a shocking and life changing story would also not have been easy, Barker and McKenzie were going after a powerful public figure so many people may have been afraid to talk. It was crucial in this article for Barker and McKenzie to ensure their sources were all reliable and truthful, otherwise it could have backfired immensely for them. Before I began reading, just looking at the picture under the title of “Anatomy of a trauma” I imagined the story had something to do with a someone in the AFL because Kossmann has such a nice face. I was really suprised when I was reading it to find he was a surgeon, and an unethical one at that. I’m glad Barker and McKenzie commented on his appearance in the article because it was really something I found interesting.

Paige Williams’ “Dolly, Rejection and Radiohead Journalism” would also have been hard to research, but for different reasons. Tracking down someone that does not want to be found would have been a real challenge, the rejection that followed her story on Dolly would have been just a difficult to deal with. Her idea of “Radiohead journalism” is fascinating and I was so pleased to hear people donated. It shows that journalism is not a dying practice, it just needs to be able to keep up to date with the changing technologies and like Williams said “it’s anybody’s game” as to how this is done in the future.

Week 6: Hard and Soft News Leads

1. Hard: Statistics show that China and India have emerged as the boom markets for international students in Australian universities taking over traditionally strong South-East Asia countries.

Soft: Australian universities are receiving good reviews from Indian and Chinese international students. Abihshek Puljal has chosen to study in Australia after his brother had such a happy experience here. Thanks to this review and more China and India have emerged as the boom markets for international students in Australian universities.

2: Hard: An 18 year old Kew Grammar School student disrobed during her VCE graduation speech last night causing outrage in school officials.

Soft: Cheeky student, Kate Logan has left a lasting impression on Kew Grammar School. Officials were left speechless last night when she disrobed during her VCE graduation speech and finished the entire thing naked.

3. Hard: Police exhumed the body of an unknown boy that was buried in a box for 41 years yesterday in hopes of using modern technology to solve his murder.

Soft: Justice may be found for the young, unknown boy who was found buried in a box after 41 years. Known only as “the Boy in the Box”, his body has been exhumed by police in hopes that modern technology will solve his devastating murder.

4. Hard: A 42 year old man has been charged with assaulting a police officer after throwing a large elvis painting at the officers head in his Richmond home last night.

Soft: A police officer was left indescribably blue yesterday after a two-by-three foot velvet painting of Elvis Presley was thrown at his head. The 42 year old man who threw the painting was arrested after the assault, but there have been no other Elvis Presley sightings in the area.