The Operator - Written by a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, Acted in by a Graduate in Electrical Engineering, and About... (September 14, 2004)

    The playwright David Williamson received his degree in mechanical engineering from Monash University in 1964.

The actor Henri Szeps gained a bachelor degree in science in 1964 and a second in electrical engineering in 1966 at Sydney University.

This coming January Sydney's Ensemble Theatre is presenting a new Williamson play, Operator, which Williamson summarises:

In athletics the prize goes to the swiftest. But who wins the prize in life? Those with the most intelligence, industry and integrity? Not in these ruthless times. Not when individual gain -- by fair means or foul -- is the goal we're encouraged to strive for. It's never been easier for style to triumph over substance.

In a nutshell: Jake has the style and the ambition while Melissa, his co-worker has the brains, industry and integrity, the qualities Jake lacks, but...

Jake has his secret weapon: the skills for exploiting, manipulating and manoeuvring that would make Machiavelli consider him a star pupil.

Ah well, not to worry, the country's in the very best of hands.

And while Labor according to today's Australian "is preparing to announce a multi-million-dollar funding boost for universities beyond its current pledge of $2.34 billion for extra places, indexation and rent assistance for students [in which] the new costings will extend the ALP's Aim Higher program for universities and TAFE until 2009 and will be unveiled by Opposition Leader Mark Latham during the election campaign." The Minister for Education, Science and Training, Brendan Nelson, "said he was considering increasing the loans for full-fee-paying students who miss out on marks but want to study combined law, veterinary science, dentistry and medicine."

Meanwhile the infrastructure (human and otherwise) of Australia's higher education sector remains heir to an ever increasing infestation of white ant.