The Millennial Voice in Victoria to 1914

The expression of millennial beliefs in Australia has been little studied, perhaps because of the slight impact of adventism on the general religious experience. This essay surveys the millennial ideas current in nineteenth‐century Victoria. Both Protestant Christian sects and the mainstream churches of British origin are considered; fringe groups which drew inspiration from Christian concepts are also noticed. An outline of the prophetic concerns which emerged in England late in the eighteenth century and refined in detail thereafter is followed by a discussion of the introduction of those ideas to Victoria. Special attention is given to a number of millennial sects that established a presence in the 1850s. This is followed by a consideration of the millennial beliefs employed later in the century by the mainstream denominations, especially as they were faced with threats from liberals, doubters, and freethinkers. In conclusion, the impact of liberalism and moral enlightenment on the Christian faith is discussed and related to the decline in church membership during the twentieth century.     

Skiing Less Often in a Warmer World: Attitudes of Tourists to Climate Change in an Australian Ski Resort

Climate change will affect tourism destinations that are dependent on natural resources, such as snow. Currently there is limited research into attitudes, intentions and actual visitation patterns of skiers in response to reduced snow cover. Therefore the awareness of, and attitudes towards, climate change of 351 ski tourists were assessed in the largest ski resort in Australia in 2007, repeating a survey conducted in 1996. Ninety percent of skiers in 2007 would ski less often in Australian resorts if the next five years had low natural snow, up from 75% of skiers surveyed in 1996: 69% would ski less often, 5% would give up and 16% would ski at the same levels but overseas. Nearly all skiers thought that climate change would affect the ski industry (87% compared with 78% in 1996), and that this would occur sooner than in the 1996 survey. Visitation in a poor snow year (2006, +0.85°C average annual temperature, 54% less natural snow) was −13.6% of the long-term average, indicating poor natural snow resulted in decreased visitation, despite extensive use of snow making. The implications of changes in climate conditions and tourist attitudes for Australian ski resorts are assessed including for snow making and summer tourism.     

Four "Iron Age" stamp seals from Qarn bint Sa'ud (Abu Dhabi Emirate – U A.E.)

In this brief contribution, attention is drawn to four stamp seals which were picked up in the late 1980's from the sand dunes covering the so-called and still unexcavated "Iron Age settlement" of Qarn bint Sa'ud in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.     

Deregulation and Restructuring of the Australian Cane Sugar Industry

The growing and processing of sugar cane was one of the most tightly regulated industries in Australia until the recent introduction of a series of deregulating measures. This paper outlines the nature and historical development of controls in the various sectors of the sugar industiy, and focuses upon deregulation as introduced during the last decade. Restructuring of the industry, partly in response to deregulation and partly through the continuing international farm crisis, is seen as favouring large growers, some penetration of the processing sector by foreign capital, and inter-state rivalry amongst processors. It is likely that growth of production by international competitors will continue to depress sugar prices and restrict any short- and medium-term benefits from deregulation accruing to Australian growers and processors.