Sadly, Col8 must start this Col8 with a farewell, to the great Col8er editor George Richards, who died this week at 89. George spent 15 years creating Col8 laughs and groans as he shepherded Col8ers into line and took an already successful column to even greater heights of entertainment. Vale, George Richards.
Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook says, “George Richards faithfully allowed its correspondents to have a voice on all and sundry aspects of the life and times of a dedicated band of admirers. ”
Peter Fyfe of Enmore adds, “For a delightful while, George and I had a running gag in Column 8 where he’d print a new very strange variation of my name each time I sent a contribution.”
From Kersi Meher-Homji, “As an editor of Column 8, he gave me years of happiness. I will never forget him. A real gentleman. May his friendly soul rest in eternal bliss.”
Still, Col8 must go on in George’s great footsteps. Barrie Restall of Teven’s request on Wednesday for fictional place names brought a flock? Or maybe it’s a bevy or a skein? Is there a collective noun for towns? Too many offerings to name all the contributors’ names, unfortunately, but close to Barry’s Kickacanalong are its sister towns of Kickatinalong and Kickastickalong. Nearby, with various spellings, are Didyabringabeeralong and the charming hamlets of Weelabarrabak and Krakatinni.
Mention must also be made of the great Kiwi equivalent of (again, with many spelling variations) Waikikamukau. No trip to the Shaky Isles would be complete without a visit.
On the subject, Peter Miniutti of Ashbury wonders if Kickacanalong is where Jobson Growth lives?
Then back to the seemingly never-ending stories about the mispronunciation of real towns. Allan Roberts of Dulwich Hill would like it known that, “the Wollongong suburb of Towradgi is pronounced Tow-rod-gi. Nothing ‘rad’ about it. You can always tell train guards who are new to the Illawarra line.”
Barry Riley of Woy Woy reports that, “My father’s first job after arriving from England in 1961 was dispatching mail. ‘Where do I send this?’ , he asked his boss. The boss answered ‘Yes’. It took several repetitions of the question before he understood and sent it to Yass.”
Greg Oehm of Western Creek in Tasmania was surprised to hear that the young Chinese gentleman made it to Tempe Station (Col 8, Wednesday). “As young choristers, we were often heard to mutter about ‘And lead us not into Tempe Station’ when singing the Tudor composer Robert Stone’s setting of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’.”
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