In a recent edition of the Herald, Roger Bendall of Darling Point raised a point about the delay of a photo montage on the Opera House sails due to a tardy cruise ship, which happened to be the Queen Elizabeth. Vince Russo of Woonona reminisced about his childhood days of hunting cicadas, where a rumour circulated about exchanging cicada wings for money at the chemist. Denis Goodwin of Dee Why expressed a wish for his name to exemplify nominative determinism. Tom Meakin of Port Macquarie defended Leyland amidst criticism, citing his personal connection to the company through his great-uncle, Sir Henry Spurrier. Meanwhile, Jack Dikian of Mosman recalled childhood memories of TV ads for the Leyland P76.
The disappointment with American banknotes was a common theme among readers. Barry Riley of Woy Woy highlighted a frustration when characters in American movies pay without looking at the notes, prompting confusion about the denominations. Susan Young of Kirribilli defended the lack of colour-coding on American banknotes, citing an anecdote where an Australian noted the difference in note sizes and colours to a taxi driver. Calls for younger contributors to Column 8 were met with mixed responses. Robert Hosking of Paddington was content with being one of the youngest contributors at the age of reaching the Sunset Strip, while Joy Cooksey of Harrington humorously suggested that many contributors were well into their second childhood.
The nostalgia for childhood relics was a prevalent theme among readers. Vince Russo recalled the days of cicada hunting as a child and the rumour surrounding the exchange of cicada wings for money at the chemist. Jack Dikian fondly remembered TV ads for the Leyland P76 from his early years in the ‘70s. Tom Meakin shared a personal connection to Leyland through his great-uncle, who was a general manager of the company until 1963. The sentimental value of childhood memories and connections to past experiences resonated with many readers in their reflections on the past.
The discussion of American banknotes evoked mixed reactions among readers. While Barry Riley expressed frustration with the lack of colour-coding on American banknotes, Susan Young defended their simplicity and shared an anecdote about an Australian highlighting the advantages of having differently coloured and sized banknotes in Australia. The topic sparked a conversation about the differences in currency design and the challenges of distinguishing between different denominations, especially in a global context.
The debate over nominative determinism also caught the attention of readers. Denis Goodwin expressed a wish for his name to reflect this concept, which links a person’s name with their profession or characteristics. This humorous observation added a lighthearted touch to the conversation. Additionally, the personal connections shared by readers to historical figures and companies further emphasized the importance of names and their significance in shaping individual experiences and identities.
Overall, the diverse range of topics discussed in the reader submissions highlighted a sense of nostalgia, personal connections, and humorous observations. From childhood memories to reflections on currency design and naming conventions, the reader responses showcased a blend of sentimentality, wit, and cultural commentary. The interactive nature of Column 8 allowed readers to share their perspectives, anecdotes, and musings, creating a dynamic and engaging forum for community dialogue and reflection.
