• 4 good reasons to take a sabbatical year…[4/50]

    4 good reasons to take a sabbatical year…[4/50]

    There are (hopefully) number of good reasons to take an extended sabbatical or ‘gap year’, perhaps not just once, but during key junctures in your life. Gap years are usually about the process of coming of age, of getting out there and experiencing the world before starting University or a career. They help individuals develop…

  • The death of a travel diary…[3/50]

    The death of a travel diary…[3/50]

    An everyday discipline that I have had for the past 27 years (ouch) is keeping a daily ”travel diary”. I started this arduous task way-back in 1988 during Australias bi-centenary year. This first diary was a Christmas gift from my sister, embellished with pictures of koalas, kangaroos, gum-nuts, and celebratory bi-centenary images of Governor Phillip…

  • Packing for a minimalist one year journey[2/50]

    Packing for a minimalist one year journey[2/50]

    There are many travel blogs with informative posts about packing for long periods of travel (for one year or more). Many blog posts convey hard-earned wisdom. However, the authors often need to mention that they are getting paid to promote the products and destinations they describe. So, always read travel blogs critically, and I will…

  • From Fitzroy to Fitz Roy[1/50]

    From Fitzroy to Fitz Roy[1/50]

    Starting in January 2015, I will take a one-year break to travel slowly and write about travelling. I will travel from Fitzroy in Melbourne, Australia, to Fitz Roy in Patagonia, Argentina (and yes, they are both named after the same illegitimate Fitz Royals!). It is something that I have wanted to do for a pretty…

  • Why is Smith Street important? A history of one of Melbourne’s most diverse streets

    Why is Smith Street important? A history of one of Melbourne’s most diverse streets

    This evening, I will discuss the historical significance of Smith Street. This street forms the border of Collingwood and Fitzroy, one of Melbourne’s most important and diverse streets. This presentation borrows from heritage work I did a few years back before the development of the site over the road, which is now the Smith and…

  • Open Government Data: possibilities and problems

    Open Government Data: possibilities and problems

    View a . PDF version of this report here Government 2.0 involves direct citizen engagement in conversations about government services and public policy through open access to public sector information and new Internet-based technologies. It also encapsulates a way of working that is underpinned by collaboration, openness and engagement[1] Background and context The Political Issues…