A photograph of Donald Trump — arm outstretched, finger pointed at an imaginary crowd — has sparked a wry observation from a Sydney reader, while separate correspondence has reignited spirited debate over school allegiances, generational labels and the murky origins of a local nickname.
Trump's Gesture and the Finger-Pointing Question
Peter Miniutti of Ashbury spotted the image in a recent newspaper's Business section and couldn't resist the obvious gag. "I'm not sure whether he is pointing at someone in an imaginary crowd or he wants someone to pull his finger," he wrote, adding drily that he hoped it was the former, "as the latter may have dire consequences."
The KS Curse Widens — and Gets More Complicated
The so-called KS curse — a running theme among correspondents tracking misfortune among those with the initials KS — has attracted fresh contributions, with David Griffiths of Wollongong broadening the net considerably. He points out that NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane and federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor may not share those initials, but both attended The King's School. He also notes that State of Origin player Kotoni Staggs was dropped ahead of the series decider — and cheekily asks whether the original tipster on the curse might himself hail from "Kianga South".
School Pride: Bush Kids vs the Sandstone Set
A lively thread on elite school culture drew some of the most entertaining contributions. Margaret Lorang of Mosman recalled her days studying medicine surrounded by alumni of prestigious GPS schools, taking quiet pleasure in announcing she was "a product of Dorrigo Rural School." Her close friend — later chancellor of a large American university medical college — was similarly from a rural background and was affectionately known among students as the Cooranbong Kid. Lorang's message was clear: never be embarrassed about a bush upbringing.
Janene Randall of Padstow offered a more playful take on the school prestige game. Her husband, she revealed, would tell people he attended "a GPS school" — only admitting under pressure that GPS stood for Gladesville Public School.
Shacktown's Origins: Aircraft Panels or Naval Depot?
The origins of a local area known as Shacktown also drew fresh input. Roger Bowie of Seaforth relayed an account from a former Balgowlah Boys high school principal — himself an Air Force veteran — who claimed the prefabricated buildings in the area were pressed from metal salvaged from decommissioned World War II aircraft. That theory sits alongside an earlier claim linking the name to a naval depot, with Bowie leaving open whether the two accounts contradict or simply complement each other.
What Are Pre-Boomers Actually Called?
The question of generational labels sparked pointed responses from several readers. Ray Moxom of Denistone West objected firmly to being classified as part of the "Silent Generation," declaring that pre-Baby Boomers should no longer be referred to as "Old Farts." Brett Jack of Bonnyrigg Heights made a case for the largely overlooked Generation Jones — those born between 1954 and 1965, he argued, who are "too young to be Boomers, too old to be X-ers." Meanwhile, Patricia O'Brien of Rozelle staked a claim for a different cohort entirely, suggesting those born between 1939 and 1945 should be known simply as War Babies — and adding pointedly: "We're certainly not silent."
