A reader shares humorous responses to various topics in a Sydney Morning Herald column. Readers discuss a possible book addition of Cathy Wilcox's cartoons to school history reading lists, with one suggesting it would be great but another questioning its relevance. Others comment on the ICAC inquiry, joking that memory loss seems contagious, and suggest getting face masks to prevent Amnesia testium. A reader also expresses concern about dragonflies after reading an article by Dermott Perry.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Les Herbert, a resident of Concord, remembers a day in 1963 when his brother, Paul, then 14 years old, spent the day at Luna Park with friends, including Maurice and Robin Gibb, who were also 14 years old. The group consisted of four teenagers, but unfortunately, none of them lived to be 65 years old. The article is a nostalgic reminiscence about the past, with some readers commenting on the idea of creating a book about modern history for schools or showcasing Cathy Wilcox's work in an art gallery.
Written for “Amusement Park Ride Accident” on 2026-09-08,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score +0.15 for article 7097 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-08
The Brothers Gibb (C8) sure got around back in the day, going by this latest encounter.
asserted
Gibb → get → encounter
Les Herbert of Concord recalls that “in 1963, my brother Paul, then aged 14 was a friend of Bandstand regular Trevor Gordon who invited him to Luna Park where they spent the day with a couple of other 14-year-olds, Gibb twins, Maurice and Robin.
asserted
they → recall → olds
He reminisced on that story over many years.
asserted
He → reminisce → years
On a sad note, not one of the four from that day made the age of 65.”
asserted
one → make → 65
“Robyn Cashman suggests a Cathy Wilcox book would make a great addition to every school’s modern history reading list,” notes Maralyn Lawson of Greenwich. ”
uncertain
Lawson → suggest → Greenwich
Europe Since Versailles : A History in One Hundred Cartoons with a Narrative Text (1940) by the New Zealand-born political cartoonist David Low was brilliant teaching resource.
asserted
Europe → bear → cartoonist
Like Wilcox, Low encapsulated dire circumstances with honesty, wit and a depth of understanding which clarified complexity and human failing without rancour.”
asserted
which → encapsulate → rancour
“Don’t know about a book,” says Barry Riley of Woy Woy.
asserted
Riley → know → Woy
Merilyn McClung of Forestville rejoins the name (change) game: “I suggest that north of the 40th parallel in the US be renamed (C8) Canada South and the remainder North Mexico.
asserted
north → rejoin → US
That will rid the world of this troublesome president.”
asserted
That → rid → president
Now you just have to talk those two nations into taking on a $US40 trillion ($55.3 trillion) debt.
asserted
you → have → debt
“Being retired and having time on my hands and needing a good laugh, I thought I might attend the ICAC inquiry (C8),” says Paul Duncan of Leura.
uncertain
Duncan → retire → Leura
“But then I realised I’d better not in case I contracted the memory loss, which seems to be contagious, and could not find my way home.”
uncertain
which → realise → way
Jeff McNamara of Ulverstone (Tas) adds: “Seems Ray Hadley (as a witness in the Alan Jones trial) has also been infected with Amnesia testium following outbreaks in the ICAC inquiries.
asserted
Hadley → add → inquiries
Better get the N95 face masks out if you’re in Sydney at the moment.”
asserted
you → get → moment
“Well, there’s a coincidence,” muses Steve Davidson of Canoelands.
asserted
Davidson → ’ → Canoelands
“I was just watching a swarm of dragonflies (C8) yesterday and thinking it a bit unusual.
asserted
it → watch → dragonflies
I don’t know much about them but after reading Dermott Perry’s piece I’m now a bit worried.
asserted
I → know → piece
What precautions should I be taking to avoid becoming prey to these creatures?”
asserted
I → take → creatures
