New judge seeks justice for women in law
Justice Jane Hamilton Mathews is gratified to be the first female to be appointed to the NSW Supreme Court bench, and only the second in Australia. At her swearing-in yesterday, Justice Mathews, 46, told her new fellow judges, barristers, lawyers, friends and relatives that it was the most significant day in her career. “I would like to think that significance goes to some extent beyond me, personally, and attaches to women practitioners generally,” she said.

Men’s briefs drop while women’s knickers go up
Trousers, pantyhose and women’s knickers were up this year while blouses, socks and men’s briefs were down. This is not a reference to fashion but to prices. The figures come in a new Prices Surveillance Authority (PSA) publication on clothing and footwear. While consumers pay up, the PSA offers an economic analysis of why these prices have risen … but what it all means in terms we understand is simple: everything just keeps on going up.

Want an umbrella or six?
“Sydney’s commuters are good at forgetting. They can forget wallets, bags, clothes, watches, tennis racquets, guitars, cameras, false teeth and even motorbikes. But what they are best at forgetting is umbrellas … Today, the latest objects forgotten on public transport, including about 100 umbrellas, will go under the hammer at the Railway Institute … The SRA collects enough lost or disowned goods to earn between $1800 and $2500 from each auction. ”