Heroes of Black Saturday point to leadership failings

THE commitment and courage of those who fought the Black Saturday fires is in no doubt. As Premier John Brumby told The Age: "I think everybody in the CFA did their best to protect the state. In terms of effort and endeavour, I don't think you can fault that." Yet Country Fire Authority brigades, in submissions to the Bushfires Royal Commission, have found plenty to fault in those who landed them with inadequate systems and equipment. Their harrowing accounts raise questions about state funding and about CFA leaders' diligence in ensuring that communications and emergency systems were up to date and accessible to all who needed them.

Doctors Resume Day Surgery After Emergency Phone Fix

DOCTORS plan to partly resume surgery at the troubled new $100 million Bathurst Base Hospital today after extraordinary measures were taken to overcome patient safety concerns due to its failed communications systems.

Two-way Streets Ahead

COMMUNICATION is vital in a fast-paced world and efficient and cost-effective communication on the run can mean the difference between success and failure.

Yes, There Really Are People Not On A Mobile

For people who can't be reached on the phone, there is the ancient art of paging, writes Kate Hagan.

On The Job

Anne Lee Admissions manager, Royal Hospital for Women Age 43

Elliott Angers Court With Delayed Board Revelations

Almost a year after detailing his business affairs and several directorships to the Victorian Supreme Court, businessman John Elliott has infuriated a different court by admitting he is on the boards of at least 15 more companies.

Judges Not Amused As Forgetful Elliott Admits 15 Undisclosed Directorships

Almost a year after detailing his business affairs and nine director-ships to the Victorian Supreme Court, businessman John Elliott has infuriated another court by admitting he is on the boards of at least 15 more companies.

Elliott's Wheel Turns Full Circle

John Elliott's career has had many highlights, but now his business interests are at an all-time low and friends hard to find. David Elias reports.

Changes To `systems' After Death

A HUNTER Health report into the death of 21-year-old Bryce Keenan said that a failure to diagnose his respiratory illness may have been the most important factor contributing to his death.

What's The Self-diagnosis?

Systems are monitoring themselves but it takes IT skill to interpret the result, reports Richard Wood.

Systems Designed To Counter Failings In Car Security

IT'S like a big chess match out there: the car and component makers design thief-proof security systems, and the crooks find the technology to crack them. So the motor industry pushes out the envelope ever further in what seems an endless battle. However, the recent emphasis on security systems

Corporate Stocktake - Profits Recorded Yesterday

Matrix seeks $140m in float of Asian arms. Matrix Telecommunications planned to raise $US100million ($A140million) in new equity from the float of its Asian paging businesses in Hong Kong, Matrix's chairman, Mr Gabby Lorentz, said yesterday. The equity would be reinvested by Matrix Asia, but M

Matrix Seeks $140m In Hong Kong

Matrix Telecommunications planned to raise $US100 million ($140 million)in new equity from the float of its Asian paging businesses in Hong Kong, Matrix's chairman, Mr Gabby Lorentz, said yesterday. The equity would be reinvested by Matrix Asia but Matrix itself would book a profit by sel

New Standard Advances Electronic Mail Systems

The big news in electronic mail circles is that the X.400 standard was finally ratified at the CCITT (International Standards Committee, Telephone and Telegraphy) meeting in Melbourne last November. The drafting of the standard began in 1981, when a number of computer manufacturers and telecom