The news that one of journalism’s most despised characters – Andrew “Jocky” Jaspan, (aka “the poisoned dwarf”) – had been “honoured for his services to journalism” in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list did not sit well with all we denizens of London’s Street of Shame, let alone the rapidly diminishing ranks of Australian journalists. 

But like the Queen’s Birthday itself (Betty Windsor was born April 21, 1926, not the second Monday in June as celebrated by most Australians), we were grateful it turned out to be genuine fake news. 

Bunyip aristocracy symbolism: Corona–on–corona solid gold AC Companion gong (left) and the lesser-speckled, gilt plastic AM Member gong (right).

Those of you unfamiliar with the...