Sydney Publishing

A new book that goes behind the scenes to investigate the financial and political workings of the NSW club gaming industry will be launched today (14 October) by the Honourable Bob Carr, former Premier of NSW, just days before a draft report of Commonwealth Productivity Commission Inquiry into gambling is due out.

Casino Clubs NSW: Profits, tax, sport and politics, by Betty Con Walker and published by Sydney University Press, proposes a review of public policy towards clubs, of the way gaming revenues are taxed, and the accountability of the club industry.

Lots of people have a soft spot for CJ Dennis, and I'm one of them. I love to read the poems aloud, and try and mimic the early Australian idiom and accent. Or should I say Orstray-yan? I like seeing the words that are no longer in fashion - stoush, struth, even nipper (no one apart from the Surf Lifesavers calls kids nippers these days).

Anyway, next week as part of Australia's Silent Film Festival, the film made in 1920 will be shown in its gloriously restored form. Widely acclaimed as Australia's best silent film, this is an opportunity to see Sydney prior to 1920 up there on the big screen.