Column 8

"Oh dear, it had to happen," writes a chagrined Paula Wilson, of Holgate (Frogs and mating habits, Column 8, since Wednesday). "I am glad Michael Fox doesn't live near me, because of my nickname. Some time ago my sister in England wrote and told me of a frog called the pobblebonk. The reason she thought it was funny is that my nickname is Pobble. It was originally Polly but she corrupted it to Pobble after the Lear poem The Pobble Who Has No Toes (I have 10), and I've been known as Pobble ever since. I think I might go back to being called Polly."

TRENDS/EVENTS/NEWS

Quote � unquote ��How did this happen in a little, quiet, beautiful part of the world?�� �� Natalie Smoothy, whose son attends St Patrick��s College, Brisbane, speaking after the stabbing death of a 13-year-old student last week.

...AND ANOTHER THING

TONY Abbott and co keep repeating the imbecilic phrase "great big tax" while Westpac sends customers a DVD about banana smoothies. Aim a bit higher, please. The public deserves more respect. Beware, we might be brighter than you think. Gail Macrae, Warrandyte

Eating coat of arms chips away at national psyche

A BARBECUED coat of arms as a chip flavouring is not to everyone's taste, it seems.

Selection puts Hodgson on more secure footing

WALLABIES squad loose forward Matt Hodgson always knew he was between a rock and a cliff face, somewhere on the brink as opposed to the security of his long-term Australian teammates, Rocky Elsom and Wycliff Palu.

Valour In Time Of Tragedy An Inspiration

Graeme Smith's courage echoes some of cricket history's finest moments.

True Fictions

Understand the symbols on the NSW coat of arms

Sporting Worth

I recently bought a one-day shirt that has been worn by Ricky Ponting. It is signed and framed. I didn't take specific measurements on the night, but I'd say it is 1 x 1.5 metres. The signature is just below the coat of arms in the middle of the chest area. I was wondering if you could give me a valuation?

By Jingo, Nationalism Makes Kids Of Us

IT'S very easy to fall for it. Sitting in the lounge rooms of our monumental ordinariness, wondering whether life is any more than three ducks on the wall, a runner's-up trophy from indoor cricket, and a "3 ROOMS FOR $55" carpet cleaning brochure. We're easy targets. We want something to take us to another place.

Why India Tired Of Being Little Brother

WHAT a hullabaloo all of us have created! Have India and Australia, bound together by our still noble game, gone to war? Words are flying like missiles, positions are being taken as if bunkers were being built. What has happened? An allegation was made and judgment was passed to the contrary. It happens every day.

Crest Beating Labor Up In Arms Over Ads

LABOR has accused Prime Minister John Howard of misusing the Commonwealth coat of arms in an underhanded attempt to win votes.

It's Time For A New Coat Of Arms - Eight, To Be Exact

YOU'RE up for the death penalty these days if you even suggest changing the Australian flag, so I won't go there. But the Government has so far failed to criminalise attempts to change Australia's coat of arms, so I'm going to tackle that issue while I still can.

The Coat Of Arms

The armorial bearings of the City of Lake Macquarie were issued through the College of Arms, London, in December, 1970.

City's Coat Of Arms

For the centenary of local government in Maitland in 1963 it was decided that the city would get an offi cial coat of arms, and after negotiations with the College of Heralds in London a design was agreed on.

Victory Banner Flagged As Early Inspiration For Our Coat Of Arms

The State Library of NSW wants to solve one of the mysteries of Australian symbolism: the very earliest origins of the national coat of arms.

The Story Of The Double Arm Cross

The double arm cross standing on three green hills and bearing the motto "pax" (peace) was adopted as the coat of arms of the Order of St Benedict during the 15th century.

Carr's Green Legacy Should Be Taken With A Grain Of Salt

Every couple of months, an envelope would arrive from the Premier's Department containing a slip bearing the NSW coat of arms and the words "With the Compliments of the Premier of New South Wales". Attached would be something the Premier wanted me to read. The theme was always the same.

It's No Flight Of Fancy: Emus Are Birdbrains

Despite its place on the nation's coat of arms, the emu may not be the brightest bird in the aviary.

Judge Has No Right To Coat Of Arms: Aborigine

AN Aboriginal elder told two High Court judges yesterday they did not have permission to sit under the Australian coat of arms.

Barren Symbolism Fans Flaccid Support For Coat Of Arms

As much as I admire Professor David Flint's rearguard action against glib republicanism, I must say his argument against a change in the NSW coat of arms is weak to the point of flaccidity. Today, the arms' implied link with England is barren of either significance or symbolism. But what abo