The cricket world witnessed something remarkable today at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and it wasn’t just about the game itself. While many of us were focused on Scott Boland’s achievements, a fascinating tradition unfolded right before our eyes – the hand-painting of statistics on the iconic SCG honour board.

For years, watching cricket broadcasts, I’d always assumed these honour boards were created using modern printing techniques or at least stencils. The revelation that they’re hand-painted by a skilled artisan feels like discovering a secret passage in a familiar building. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching this craftsman at work, his brush strokes steady and precise, each letter perfectly formed without any digital assistance.

The Royal Australian Mint has done it again, stirring up quite the conversation with their latest release featuring everyone’s favourite Blue Heeler pup on our dollar coins. Well, technically it’s Bingo on one coin and Bluey on another, creating a delightful scene when placed together - they’re playing with a balloon, which is quite clever when you think about it.

The recent news about 40,000 stolen Bluey coins and their subsequent recovery (in an operation aptly named “Operation Bandit”) reads like something straight out of a heist movie. The irony of stealing coins featuring characters known for teaching moral lessons isn’t lost on me. Sitting here in my home office, watching the morning trams roll past, I find myself pondering how we’ve arrived at this peculiar moment in Australian history.

I’ve been following the conversations online about Nagi from RecipeTinEats, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at how many people, including myself, have come to rely on her recipes as the ultimate go-to guide for cooking. As someone who’s not exactly a skilled chef, I’m always on the lookout for trusted sources that won’t leave me with a disaster on my hands. Nagi’s blog has become my comfort link to home here in Melbourne, and it’s interesting to see how many others share the same sentiment.