A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Pretty in Pink: Fitting tribute to the late Jane McGrath
MR PINKY: THE THIRD day of the final Test in Sydney saw the SCG turn a sea of pink in aid of the McGrath Foundation, the charity set up by former Australian opening bowler Glenn and his wife Jane in 2002.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, Jane was deemed cancer-free in June 1998 following extensive treatment. But in 2003 she was diagnosed with bone cancer and passed away in June 2008 at the age of 42.
Her death, much like that of Darren Clarke’s wife Heather, struck a chord wider than just the sporting public and on Wednesday the Australians, and the many English in the ground, dug deep to help provide cancer care nurses throughout the country. The running tally after three days of the Test stood at AU$200,000 (€150,000), with pink bandanas, wigs, hats and shirts being snapped up by the sell-out crowds.
Some even went further, dying hair and beards, while former Australian openers Michael Slater and Mark Taylor were daring enough to wear pink jackets. The SCG even got in on the act, with the stumps and digital clock turning pink, while the Ladies’ Pavilion was renamed in memory of Jane McGrath for the day.
Ferry good way to arrive: Sydney by boat a delight
STILL A WONDERFUL SIGHT:THE BEAUTY of Australia is also represented by the diversity of the big cities, from the country town feel of Adelaide, to the west coast ease of Perth and the pure delight of both Melbourne and Sydney.
And for cricket fans, there's also the myriad ways to get to the great grounds. From a stroll down to the Adelaide Oval or the Waca in Perth to a ride in a rattling tram in Melbourne, it's part and parcel of the day out.
Sydney, though, pips them all, with an early morning ferry ride helping blow off any cobwebs from the night before. The view from the front of the Manly ferry as it turns around Bradley's Head to open up the twin jewels of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge is one that is impossible to tire of.
It wasn't always the case with a trip to the Quarantine Station on Sydney's North Head showing the horror encountered by the early arrivals from Ireland.
In 1837 the Lady McNaughton left Cork as one of the early free immigrant ships, with 412 passengers and 32 crew on board.
Their 113-day journey was an horrendous one, with an outbreak of typhus killing 54 on the journey, 49 of whom were children. Those that did arrive were quarantined for 11 weeks on Little Manly Beach, with 13 more perishing.
The whole episode led to the establishment of a full-time station on the North Head, with the present museum one of those tourist attractions that leaves a lasting memory.
