Pinned
Tom Cowie
@tomcowie.bsky.social
· Nov 14
One man, two ex-wives and the $50m sushi sale that changed everything
The trio helped make sushi an Aussie lunchtime staple – so how did their intertwined personal and business relations end up frayed – and in court?
www.theage.com.au
This piece was about six months in the making from learning about it to publication. It’s a fascinating story of the origins of sushi’s popularity in Australia and the people who helped make it happen. And then how it all went wrong. Proud it landed in Good Weekend www.theage.com.au/national/one...
Some news from me: this week is my last at The Age after 11 years. It's been heaps of fun -- the weirdest stories were always my favourites. But it's time for something new. After a short break, I'm joining the VEC media unit ahead of next year's state elction. Thanks for reading!
July 31, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Some news from me: this week is my last at The Age after 11 years. It's been heaps of fun -- the weirdest stories were always my favourites. But it's time for something new. After a short break, I'm joining the VEC media unit ahead of next year's state elction. Thanks for reading!
Scheduling a night game in Lonny in June has to be intentional by the AFL to make its case for a roofed stadium for the Devils
June 13, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Scheduling a night game in Lonny in June has to be intentional by the AFL to make its case for a roofed stadium for the Devils
Wrote about Japanese kei trucks, an increasingly common sight on Melbourne’s steeets as a smaller alternative to all those truckzillas www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
No monster utes, thanks: Compact Japanese trucks are more than oh-kei
With tiny engines and smaller price tags than monster utes, Japanese kei trucks are finding a devoted fan base in Australia.
www.theage.com.au
June 7, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Wrote about Japanese kei trucks, an increasingly common sight on Melbourne’s steeets as a smaller alternative to all those truckzillas www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
When did sangas become sandos?
June 7, 2025 at 2:58 AM
When did sangas become sandos?
Writing this story has given me a Mamas and the Papas earworm all week www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
All the leaves are brown, the sky is grey – and the neighbours are warring over trees
Each year, thousands of neighbours fight over overhanging branches, encroaching roots and falling leaves. Some of the disputes get nasty.
www.theage.com.au
June 5, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Writing this story has given me a Mamas and the Papas earworm all week www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
Merribek council commissioned a mural dedicated to Coburg’s famous Ford Laser
June 2, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Merribek council commissioned a mural dedicated to Coburg’s famous Ford Laser
There is plenty of spin out there but if the Greens lose Bandt that is a disaster in Victoria. Labor has shown it can hold inner Melbourne seats with popular members too. It was assumed the Greens would easily have Cooper by now, they got it to 1% in 2016 - now Ged Kearney has a 10% margin.
May 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM
There is plenty of spin out there but if the Greens lose Bandt that is a disaster in Victoria. Labor has shown it can hold inner Melbourne seats with popular members too. It was assumed the Greens would easily have Cooper by now, they got it to 1% in 2016 - now Ged Kearney has a 10% margin.
The screen has been gone for a while now, drink responsibly
"These are early numbers" - drink
Antony Green screen fail - drink
Annabel Crabb whimsy - drink
Antony Green screen fail - drink
Annabel Crabb whimsy - drink
May 3, 2025 at 10:15 AM
The screen has been gone for a while now, drink responsibly
Libs currently behind in Aston, Menzies and Deakin in Victoria. If that carries through and there are no other pick ups, there will be no Liberal seats in urban Melbourne
May 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Libs currently behind in Aston, Menzies and Deakin in Victoria. If that carries through and there are no other pick ups, there will be no Liberal seats in urban Melbourne
Is it over? It looks over
May 3, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Is it over? It looks over
"These are early numbers" - drink
Antony Green screen fail - drink
Annabel Crabb whimsy - drink
Antony Green screen fail - drink
Annabel Crabb whimsy - drink
May 3, 2025 at 9:05 AM
"These are early numbers" - drink
Antony Green screen fail - drink
Annabel Crabb whimsy - drink
Antony Green screen fail - drink
Annabel Crabb whimsy - drink
Don’t threaten us with a good time www.theage.com.au/business/com...
Kyle Sandilands threatens Melbourne exit as company makes more cuts
The KIIS FM host told listeners the Kyle and Jackie O show was not going to “super serve Melbourne and ignore our Sydney audience”.
www.theage.com.au
April 30, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Don’t threaten us with a good time www.theage.com.au/business/com...
I took a tour of the old VicRoads building in Kew that the state gov wants to turn into housing www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
Crumbling facade, no balconies: The push to turn a ’60s concrete bunker into homes
The facade is falling away and the windows are tiny – this is a building that is showing its age. So, transport nerds, would you want to live inside the former VicRoads offices in Kew?
www.theage.com.au
April 20, 2025 at 11:40 AM
I took a tour of the old VicRoads building in Kew that the state gov wants to turn into housing www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
For those who have wondered about that GTA San Andreas mural in Melbourne that lasted 20 years, it finally got painted over (via r/melbourne)
April 18, 2025 at 1:46 AM
For those who have wondered about that GTA San Andreas mural in Melbourne that lasted 20 years, it finally got painted over (via r/melbourne)
Reposted by Tom Cowie
Please take the time to read this piece. The mother who gave so much of her time to make it possible deserves it.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘A history of family violence’: in the NT, a mother’s loss and a police system in dire need of overhaul
No crime scene was established after Mona’s daughter died. She speaks publicly about the death for the first time to ensure it is not forgotten and to urge action
www.theguardian.com
April 10, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Please take the time to read this piece. The mother who gave so much of her time to make it possible deserves it.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The Night Cat in Fitzroy is copping noise complaints from a development that doesn’t exist yet www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
Much-loved music venue ordered to improve its soundproofing – for flats that don’t exist
Justin Stanford’s Night Cat in Fitzroy may have to close after being ordered to make costly upgrades because of a residential building that doesn’t yet have planning approval.
www.theage.com.au
April 9, 2025 at 8:56 AM
The Night Cat in Fitzroy is copping noise complaints from a development that doesn’t exist yet www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
Spotted in Preston, still mad about the cancelled Bullants alliance?
April 8, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Spotted in Preston, still mad about the cancelled Bullants alliance?
This week I'm covering the Melbourne seat of Wills for our Hot Seats election blog. If you see something election related in Coburg, Brunswick, Fawkner Fitroy North etc please get in touch!
April 8, 2025 at 7:13 AM
This week I'm covering the Melbourne seat of Wills for our Hot Seats election blog. If you see something election related in Coburg, Brunswick, Fawkner Fitroy North etc please get in touch!
Marvellous city story from @adamlcarey.bsky.social on people who want to protect their potholed road www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
Why locals are fighting to keep potholes on this road
Driving on this road is a bone-rattling experience, but that hasn’t deterred locals from fighting to save its potholes.
www.theage.com.au
April 8, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Marvellous city story from @adamlcarey.bsky.social on people who want to protect their potholed road www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
Should have been heritage listed
Douglas Hi-Fi, Bourke St, Melbourne (1983)
Photo: Colin Block
Photo: Colin Block
April 8, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Should have been heritage listed
The proposed F2 freeway in Melbourne would have been wild, four-lane dual carriageway running right down Merri Creek
April 3, 2025 at 5:35 AM
The proposed F2 freeway in Melbourne would have been wild, four-lane dual carriageway running right down Merri Creek
Only realising today that the State Library of Victoria once had these very impressive Moreton Bay figs out the front (first pic from 1938)
April 2, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Only realising today that the State Library of Victoria once had these very impressive Moreton Bay figs out the front (first pic from 1938)
My piece from the weekend on desire paths in Melbourne www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
When pedestrians rebel: What desire paths tell us
The unofficial thoroughfares are marks left by pedestrians refusing to be told where to walk. They offer lessons to planners.
www.theage.com.au
March 31, 2025 at 2:11 AM
My piece from the weekend on desire paths in Melbourne www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
Can we just call them the Footscray Bulldogs all the time?
March 21, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Can we just call them the Footscray Bulldogs all the time?