André Brett
@drdrehistorian.bsky.social
Historians wanna talk like they got something to say | NZ and Australian history, politics, trains, music, sport, higher ed | he/him | "Australian-adjacent person": Melburnian Kiwi in Perth
Pinned
André Brett
@drdrehistorian.bsky.social
· Nov 12
It seems an opportune time to do an intro thread, since I'm included in some quite different starter packs. My bio note about "NZ and Australian history, politics, trains, music, sport, higher ed" covers the topics I post about the most, and I do *not* stick consistently to any one of them 1/18
Did David Warner hit his head and wake up thinking he was English?
Q: Where to from here for the Sydney Thunder?
A: We're playing for pride. I think it's about real moral victories now.
Q: Where to from here for the Sydney Thunder?
A: We're playing for pride. I think it's about real moral victories now.
January 6, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Did David Warner hit his head and wake up thinking he was English?
Q: Where to from here for the Sydney Thunder?
A: We're playing for pride. I think it's about real moral victories now.
Q: Where to from here for the Sydney Thunder?
A: We're playing for pride. I think it's about real moral victories now.
Another tram take: the best class of trams to operate on any Aus/NZ network were Wellington's Fiducia trams. Superb units that should've and nearly did ensure Wellington's trams survived alongside Melbourne
(others I really like aesthetically: Auckland streamliners, Adelaide H class, every Birney)
(others I really like aesthetically: Auckland streamliners, Adelaide H class, every Birney)
January 6, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Another tram take: the best class of trams to operate on any Aus/NZ network were Wellington's Fiducia trams. Superb units that should've and nearly did ensure Wellington's trams survived alongside Melbourne
(others I really like aesthetically: Auckland streamliners, Adelaide H class, every Birney)
(others I really like aesthetically: Auckland streamliners, Adelaide H class, every Birney)
My favourite trams in Melbourne are the Z3 class and it's going to be such a shame when they're gone
The best experience you can have on the network is riding a Z3 on route 58 through Royal Park standing by an open window on a lovely day
The best experience you can have on the network is riding a Z3 on route 58 through Royal Park standing by an open window on a lovely day
January 6, 2026 at 8:38 AM
My favourite trams in Melbourne are the Z3 class and it's going to be such a shame when they're gone
The best experience you can have on the network is riding a Z3 on route 58 through Royal Park standing by an open window on a lovely day
The best experience you can have on the network is riding a Z3 on route 58 through Royal Park standing by an open window on a lovely day
Reposted by André Brett
A Royal Commission's role isn't to solve intractable policy problems, generate expert consensus nor provide public soapboxes.
They're powerful quasi-judicial bodies with the power to compel evidence even from typically privileged sources.
And that's why they should be used sparingly.
They're powerful quasi-judicial bodies with the power to compel evidence even from typically privileged sources.
And that's why they should be used sparingly.
January 6, 2026 at 3:57 AM
A Royal Commission's role isn't to solve intractable policy problems, generate expert consensus nor provide public soapboxes.
They're powerful quasi-judicial bodies with the power to compel evidence even from typically privileged sources.
And that's why they should be used sparingly.
They're powerful quasi-judicial bodies with the power to compel evidence even from typically privileged sources.
And that's why they should be used sparingly.
If I were the Sydney Sixers I would simply not make a meal of chasing 115
January 5, 2026 at 10:45 AM
If I were the Sydney Sixers I would simply not make a meal of chasing 115
Wow, this guy was meant to be a big part of the Vic Libs’ future. The circular firing squad claims another victim
Sam Groth to retire at this year's Victorian election (vacancy in Nepean LIB 6.4% which he won with a large swing but Liberals should be able to hold it), this raises the question is there any point him continuing as deputy leader. #springst
January 4, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Wow, this guy was meant to be a big part of the Vic Libs’ future. The circular firing squad claims another victim
Boy that’s a bright moon out there tonight
January 4, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Boy that’s a bright moon out there tonight
Reposted by André Brett
Pondering starting an officially licensed Betteridge's Law Judge course, so for just £1000 I train you so that you too can answer question headlines with the word "No".
January 4, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Pondering starting an officially licensed Betteridge's Law Judge course, so for just £1000 I train you so that you too can answer question headlines with the word "No".
Peter Siddle, aged 41 with short bleached blond hair, looks like the frontman of a pop-punk band on the 20th anniversary tour for their one big album, playing in clubs rather than the arenas and festivals of their youth
Except Siddle is still an elite bowler, one of the best this BBL season
Except Siddle is still an elite bowler, one of the best this BBL season
January 4, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Peter Siddle, aged 41 with short bleached blond hair, looks like the frontman of a pop-punk band on the 20th anniversary tour for their one big album, playing in clubs rather than the arenas and festivals of their youth
Except Siddle is still an elite bowler, one of the best this BBL season
Except Siddle is still an elite bowler, one of the best this BBL season
Between this Root/Brook partnership and now a delay in play because of bad light, we might get to day three after all!
It's gonna be another two-day Test isn't it
January 4, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Between this Root/Brook partnership and now a delay in play because of bad light, we might get to day three after all!
It's gonna be another two-day Test isn't it
January 4, 2026 at 12:41 AM
It's gonna be another two-day Test isn't it
Not much the Australian populace likes more than calling for yet another royal commission
January 4, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Not much the Australian populace likes more than calling for yet another royal commission
Pleased Australia has finally selected Beau Webster, who should've played the whole series in the first place, but they've *also* chosen Cam Green to yet again clog the lineup because he is a "generational talent" (generationally talented at getting picked ahead of better players, perhaps)
January 3, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Pleased Australia has finally selected Beau Webster, who should've played the whole series in the first place, but they've *also* chosen Cam Green to yet again clog the lineup because he is a "generational talent" (generationally talented at getting picked ahead of better players, perhaps)
Reposted by André Brett
#RailNews: Welcome to the 2025/26 tour-de rail network, where we showcase what works KiwiRail and Auckland Transport are undertaking during the 2025/26 Summer Rail Upgrade Programme.
Most worksites we will aim to visit are marked on the below map.
Most worksites we will aim to visit are marked on the below map.
January 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM
#RailNews: Welcome to the 2025/26 tour-de rail network, where we showcase what works KiwiRail and Auckland Transport are undertaking during the 2025/26 Summer Rail Upgrade Programme.
Most worksites we will aim to visit are marked on the below map.
Most worksites we will aim to visit are marked on the below map.
Reposted by André Brett
Entering our Too Lazy to Manufacture Consent era
I feel like I haven’t even been properly lied to about the purposes of this war
January 3, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Entering our Too Lazy to Manufacture Consent era
Reposted by André Brett
There are few principles in politics that will you serve you better than “a war of aggression is always wrong”
January 3, 2026 at 10:43 AM
There are few principles in politics that will you serve you better than “a war of aggression is always wrong”
Some Perth trains from either side of 6am yesterday morning south of Victoria Park railway station
January 3, 2026 at 7:51 AM
Some Perth trains from either side of 6am yesterday morning south of Victoria Park railway station
Ahh yes it’s that time of year in Perth where even before 9am the water out of my cold tap is almost the same temperature as the water from the hot tap
January 3, 2026 at 12:42 AM
Ahh yes it’s that time of year in Perth where even before 9am the water out of my cold tap is almost the same temperature as the water from the hot tap
Oh this is terrible
It sounds like it was from a shed storing non-operational equipment, which is now even further from operating ever again
It sounds like it was from a shed storing non-operational equipment, which is now even further from operating ever again
#LocomotiveNews: Historic locomotives have been rendered "basically wrecks" after thieves stripped valuable copper and irreplaceable parts from trains stored at Glenbrook Vintage Railway over the Christmas period.
Via 1News: www.1news.co.nz/2026/01/03/t...
Via 1News: www.1news.co.nz/2026/01/03/t...
Thieves strip heritage trains in 'extensive' burglary at Auckland railway
The theft stripped heritage trains of irreplaceable parts, with replacements only possible by painstakingly recasting, remoulding or engineering them from scratch.
www.1news.co.nz
January 2, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Oh this is terrible
It sounds like it was from a shed storing non-operational equipment, which is now even further from operating ever again
It sounds like it was from a shed storing non-operational equipment, which is now even further from operating ever again
On one hand, this is some spicy commentary from Greg Chappell
On the other, it's nice to know that we millennials, the oldest of us about to enter middle age, the youngest turning 30, are still ruining things: "these players—predominantly millennials—risk unravelling 148 years of Ashes tapestry"
On the other, it's nice to know that we millennials, the oldest of us about to enter middle age, the youngest turning 30, are still ruining things: "these players—predominantly millennials—risk unravelling 148 years of Ashes tapestry"
Memo to Australia and England: honour the format that has elevated you
The MCG Test offered a sorry spectacle, courtesy batters who could not dig down - unlike their Ashes predecessors
www.espncricinfo.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:31 PM
On one hand, this is some spicy commentary from Greg Chappell
On the other, it's nice to know that we millennials, the oldest of us about to enter middle age, the youngest turning 30, are still ruining things: "these players—predominantly millennials—risk unravelling 148 years of Ashes tapestry"
On the other, it's nice to know that we millennials, the oldest of us about to enter middle age, the youngest turning 30, are still ruining things: "these players—predominantly millennials—risk unravelling 148 years of Ashes tapestry"
How on earth did Brisbane Heat just win that match, wow
The Stars are not going to want to see replays of ball 14.5 when Bryant was on 2 off 7!
The Stars are not going to want to see replays of ball 14.5 when Bryant was on 2 off 7!
January 2, 2026 at 11:39 AM
How on earth did Brisbane Heat just win that match, wow
The Stars are not going to want to see replays of ball 14.5 when Bryant was on 2 off 7!
The Stars are not going to want to see replays of ball 14.5 when Bryant was on 2 off 7!
Reposted by André Brett
Parramatta Light Rail!
January 2, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Parramatta Light Rail!
Reposted by André Brett
Today's historic pic: Exactly 38 years ago today, A2 class tram no 281 running a route 111 trip to Port Melbourne leaves the station at Graham Street, January 2 1988. This was just 2 weeks after the line had re-opened as a standard gauge tramway after conversion from a broad gauge heavy railway.
January 2, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Today's historic pic: Exactly 38 years ago today, A2 class tram no 281 running a route 111 trip to Port Melbourne leaves the station at Graham Street, January 2 1988. This was just 2 weeks after the line had re-opened as a standard gauge tramway after conversion from a broad gauge heavy railway.
What's the goss with Helen Burnet quitting Tas Greens? The explanation about wanting to "amplify" local concerns in parlt more than she could as a party MHA feels... flimsy. The state election was less than 6 months ago, so I raised an eyebrow at her quote that she hadn't made this decision in haste
Helen Burnet quits Tasmanian Greens to sit on crossbench
The Clark MP says she knows the decision "will be disappointing for some" but is necessary for her to be "effective" in parliament.
www.abc.net.au
January 2, 2026 at 2:11 AM
What's the goss with Helen Burnet quitting Tas Greens? The explanation about wanting to "amplify" local concerns in parlt more than she could as a party MHA feels... flimsy. The state election was less than 6 months ago, so I raised an eyebrow at her quote that she hadn't made this decision in haste