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Canberra Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Canberra Times
MoAD preserving the legacy of trailblazer 'Bluey' Thomson
MoAD preserving the legacy of trailblazer 'Bluey' Thomson John Howard AC surrounded by media as he announces the resignation of Senator Peter Baume. Picture Graeme Thomson/Newspix This is branded content for the Museum of Australian Democracy. The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD) is launching its 2025 Annual Appeal to help preserve a vital piece of Australia's visual history. Donations to the appeal will help MoAD to conserve, research and archive its newly-acquired Graeme 'Bluey' Thomson Collection: an extraordinary photography archive that spans two decades of Australia's political history. The appeal aims to raise $40,000 to fund the research, conservation, and digitisation of hundreds of Thomson's photographs, alongside press passes and awards chronicling the evolution of Australian politics from the 1970s through to the 1990s. 2025 appeal Museum of Australian Democracy is requesting support to preserve, conserve and research this rare collection telling the political story of Australia, as seen through the lens of one of its most respected photographers, Graeme 'Bluey' Thomson. To learn more or to make a donation, visit Thomson began his career as a 15-year-old cadet and got his major break in 1964 with The Australian. His work, later syndicated internationally, documented major political and social events as well as the evolution of press photography, from the age of darkrooms to the emergence of digital. "There was no photographer with a better pictorial record of Australian political history, from the Robert Menzies era to that of John Howard," chair of the board at Old Parliament House Barrie Cassidy said. Bluey Thomson (left) taking notes with a fellow photographer. Mr Cassidy knew Thomson from his own period working in the building and was impressed by Thomson's innovative approach. As he put it, "Bluey was a trailblazer." Graeme 'Bluey' Thomson was a calm but commanding presence in the Press Gallery, capturing everything from the swearing-in of governments and royal tours to national protests and the subtle day-to-day interactions between politicians and the press. The collection offers a vast range of behind-the-scenes moments. "These images are a treasure trove of political history," MoAD senior curator, Dr Laina Hall said. "One of the things I really love about these photographs is how they capture the relationship between politicians and the media." One striking image captures Prime Minister Bob Hawke on the front steps of Parliament House, framed by bright lights and cameras as he stands at the heart of a bustling press scrum (below). Bob Hawke surrounded by press on the front steps of Parliament House, Canberra. Picture by Graeme Thomson/The Museum of Australian Democracy "There's a real sense of proximity, of the way the media works to bring those moments to the public," Dr Hall said. The project also highlights the conservation challenges ahead. Many prints in the collection have deteriorated over time, some are even stuck together, requiring delicate conservation treatment. Conserving these photographs, along with the original typewritten labels attached to many of them, is another major task the funding will support. A MoAD curator handles photographs from the Bluey Thomson Collection. Photo by The Museum of Australian Democracy "We'll be photographing the prints, cataloguing them into our database, and undertaking conservation work to stabilise and protect them," Dr Hall said. "This collection helps us understand not just what happened in politics, but how it was seen and experienced. "Supporting this appeal is a way to ensure that the legacy remains accessible to all Australians." Support the appeal by visiting
Sunday World
16-05-2025
- Sunday World
Donegal woman who smashed bottle over ex's head had been ‘pushed too far'
Fiona McInerney appeared at Letterkenny District Court after smashing a glass bottle over the man's head. A Co Donegal woman who smashed a bottle over her partner's head after she became fed-up with his drinking habits has been ordered to enter a peace bond. Fiona McInerney attacked her former partner after she was 'pushed to her wits end.' Ms McInerney, appeared at Letterkenny District Court after smashing a glass bottle over the man's head after a verbal altercation on March 5th, 2023. The court was told that the injured party suffered cuts to his head and shoulder following the attack at Robinson Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny. The accused, who was present in court, has no previous convictions. Fiona McInerney. Photo: Newspix News in 90 Seconds - May 16th The woman's solicitor, Mr Frank Murphy, said it was a case that the woman had simply 'been pushed too far' and that she was otherwise of good character. He said that on the night in question the victim had again consumed a large quantity of alcohol. 'She (Ms McInerny) was simply pushed too far. She was at her wits end and had lost it and struck him with a bottle,' said Mr Murphy. Ms McInerney, aged 40, was charged with a Section 3 assault of the injured party. A further charge of Production of Article under Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act was struck out. The court was told that the couple were no longer in a relationship and were living at separate locations. Judge Eiteain Cunningham canvassed for a victim impact statement but was later told there was no statement forthcoming. Passing sentence, Judge Cunningham said she had considered the matter in detail as the accused had no previous convictions, that she had entered a plea to the charge and had also considered the mitigation offer by solicitor Mr Murphy. She added that she was also aware that the couple were no longer in a relationship and that there were other orders in place. However, she stressed to the court that this was still a very serious matter and the fact remained that it was a Section 3 assault. She said she planned to deal with the matter by ordering Ms McInerney to sign a peace bond for a 12 month period and warned her that she would be brought before the court again if this bond is breached.
