Comments on: Quentin Bryce becomes Governor-General

By: Minxy

Minxy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:14:34 +0000

Russell… you asked… How many 65 year old women would wear that top, anywhere, let alone if they were going to be photographed for the national press, at the same time as making themselves up in a way usually associated with younger people?

My answer – those who aren’t hung up on thier arms… and who is comfortable with her age, and who she is … I mean, what do you want her to wear? long sleeves on a warm day? And it’s not like it’s absolutely hideous in any case, nor do I think it is sending a message about vulnerability, you’re reading way too much into it. Next time, we’ll get them photoshopped smooth and your ageist sensibilites will not be so offended…

BTW “Maybe I grew up hearing too many remarks like “Mutton dressed up as lamb”.” – gosh, I haven’t done a survey but I suspect that not very many lambs would want to dress in this fashion… too conservative, not enough midriff showing…

By: paul walter

paul walter — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:32:09 +0000

So the little Quentine is loved by all?
Am sure I recall Ackerman or one of that ilk on a witchhunt for her recently?

By: paul walter

paul walter — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:26:22 +0000

The Pavlov’s Cat comment at 20 is astounding. And not only because it comes from that source. Greer is exponentially more slagged than slagging.
Methinks marauding moggies should try the likes of Miranda Devine or Marcia Langton before bagging adhominem (feminim, for the pedantic! ) someone who is both sincere and acurate as to her comments.
There.
So you got a bite…

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 03:59:16 +0000

Ruth – except that’s not the basis on which she’s been criticised on this thread – if you’ve been reading.

So Quentin Bryce is a liberal feminist from an upper middle class background? And that’s a reason in your mind why her achievements should be discounted? That’s neither a particularly generous attitude nor one that captures the real significance of her appointment.

I’ve got a lot of areas of disagreement with liberal feminism per se, but I don’t see that as a basis to make personal criticisms.

And it’s hardly surprising that an establishment type would be appointed G-G. It’s an establishment position – and that “social” conception of the office is one of its many anti-democratic features – which is what I was criticising in the post.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:41:19 +0000

I am so over the altogether common view that being old and growing old is some kind of personal failing, that one should try to cover up. She’s still a pretty women and without a doubt she’s got a lot more substance and wisdom in her soul than she had when she was eighteen.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:03:49 +0000

Quentin always dressed in a sexually alluring, meticulously groomed, ultra-feminine, glam, bourgie way. It served to disarm the male establishment and thus was a weapon wielded to successful effect. She was loathed for it too and in that regard it’s fair cop that she still receives criticism for it today for it is key to her establishment success and acceptance.

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:04:20 +0000

For a bobs, this feels a very lovely moment in our Australian story.

What’s more, something steps a’side the hors d’oeuvres, in vision… something with a little more to say, a little more smarts, a strength onward to a shake up and armwrestle won (yes, with or without that kind of phrase); something of a personal mission which carries with it an entry ticket already given us but stuck in our back pocket until we find our number called.

We’ve a bit to share, methinks, with Quentin Bryce.

By: Pavlov's Cat

Pavlov's Cat — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:07:20 +0000

‘A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know.” (Diane Arbus)

I just thought I’d throw that in.

By: Bingo Bango Boingo

Bingo Bango Boingo — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:16:23 +0000

Maybe she just thought it was a nice dress. Looks pretty cool to me. I must admit that at first glance all I saw were her eyes, which seem to give off a ‘don’t fuck with me’ vibe. Maybe I’m reading too much into a photograph. But at least I’m not interpreting her arms. That’s just nutty.

BBB

By: Russell

Russell — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:02:58 +0000

Bryce is a highly intelligent, superbly qualified, certainly handsome and seemingly very nice person. If someone got a photo of her at the beach/pool in a swimsuit, there would be nothing to catch your attention. Age isn’t the issue. What caught my attention was the disconnect in the photo – and in a way it seems almost pathetic, why is a person with her qualities doing that? How many 65 year old women would wear that top, anywhere, let alone if they were going to be photographed for the national press, at the same time as making themselves up in a way usually associated with younger people?

I guess she has every right to say “This should be an acceptable way for an older woman to look”. Maybe I grew up hearing too many remarks like “Mutton dressed up as lamb”. But I find this photo disturbing because it’s like her face is saying “This is how I want to be” but her arms are saying “This vulnerability, age, is me too”. And I don’t think she intends to send both those messages.