I AM encouraged by the views being expressed that the Australia/Ireland International Rules series should be discontinued. I have been in Australia for more than 40 years, but I have never warmed to Aussie Rules.

SWIRLING clouds of fine, brown dust engulf the small truck as Chris Groves hauls the feed bin into a dry-as-a-bone paddock and 200 crying, pregnant ewes race to the grain spilling onto the parched earth.

THE rolling hills around this historic city of Goulburn were once renowned as some of Australia’s best grazing land. After four years of drought they are as bleached and lifeless as old bones.