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A little Christmas present from The Punch

Tory Maguire

by Tory Maguire

17 Dec 05:35am

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Filed under: Christmas, Holidays

33 comments

It’s been a long and exciting year here at The Punch and we wanted to say thank you for coming along for the ride. Some of you have given us a lot to think about during 12 months full of political intrigue and entertainment.

I say George, those Punch readers are a good looking bunch. Picture by Tom Hooper, from The King's Speech.

We also wanted to let you know we will be on deck over the summer holidays for when you can peel yourself away from the Ashes, or the beach, or what ever else you’re doing if you’re lucky enough to get a break. So keep visiting.

For those who like movies we thought The King’s Speech, which opens nationally in cinemas on Boxing Day, looked like something a Punch reader would be keen to see. So the first ten readers who email me (tors@thepunch.com.au) after 11am AEDT today will get a double pass. (Update 11.15am AEDT - you lot are quick off the mark. All double passes are allocated, thanks for all the lovely emails).

The King’s Speech, starring Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter, is getting rave reviews. It’s about the unorthodox relationship between England’s reluctant King George VI (Firth), plagued by a nervous stammer, and the irreverent Australian speech therapist who cures him (Rush).

Anyway, if over the next few weeks you have anything you want us to take a look at email me, Tory Shepherd (shepherdt@thepunch.com.au) or Lucy Kippist (kippistl@thepunch.com.au).

Ant Sharwood will also be keeping us up to date on the Ashes.

From Monday we’ll be putting out the morning email at a more civilised hour - about 10am - until things heat up again in January. Enjoy the Summer.

 

 

Most commented

353"Gifting", "journey" and other words we hate
309Thomson didn't answer the question everyone is asking
246A big day for Thomson, who thus far is guilty of nothing...
242They must pay for one's bitter disappointments
230Craig Thomson speaks. Meanwhile, in Australia...
230South Australia. It's the middle bottom bit.
224Punch on: Open thread 17/05/2012
224The most laughable, err, spoof since Einfeld

33 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • deb says:

      05:51am | 17/12/10

      i have enjoyed the Punch so much that its the fist thing i look for in my inbox these days.witty and sharp and sometimes you even print my comments.a big thrill as nobody ever listens to me at home.now i can read my comments as well as others and feel a part of a discussion.aside from the vainity bit the storys are usually very much to the point and i dont find anywhere else.keep up the good work

      Reply

    • Joan says:

      07:47am | 17/12/10

      I`m like some punch drunk freak - start the day with The Punch…. first thing in morning, a coffee .... then off to work.

    • TChong says:

      06:46am | 17/12/10

      Tis been another fine year engaging all the erudite, witty and insightful minds who find their way to Punch.
      Until we all meet again in the blogosphere of 2011, I wish that all my Punching Pals will Live Long and Prosper, and get around to reading my yet to be written and published expose of Punch posters, : “The Valley Of The Trolls” 
      As Mork from Ork would say- ” Nanoo, Nanoo ,Shuzzbutt”

      Reply

    • BobbyDan says:

      07:05am | 17/12/10

      I have had a delightful few months reading The PUNCH and making the odd comment, it is so good for the soul to be able to vent ones thoughts, ideas and share parts of life with a wide range of people.
      Thank You all for being an essential part of my day, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

      Reply

    • Macca says:

      07:20am | 17/12/10

      Congratulations on a great year everyone. Not sure how I will use the hours next week with the limited site traffic. Maybe I’ll do some work?

      Looking forward to much controversy in the New Year

      Cheers

      Reply

    • Macca says:

      10:58am | 17/12/10

      I’d also like to add that the I wish everyone a safe holiday. Whether it be on the roads or in the water, too many of our loved ones leave us during the festive season.

      So please, take that extra beak on the drive with the family, or take a few minutes to check the water conditions before you dive on in. Have a lovely break everyone, and please, be safe.

    • Joan says:

      07:40am | 17/12/10

      Geoffrey Rush is such a brilliant actor, I watched him playing Peter Sellers in the bio-pic of Sellers last night on tele -Rush was just brilliant so I will definitely be out to catch him in his new movie. 2010 has been a ripping year with plenty of fodder to debate hotly in The Punch blogsphere..  I look forward to 2011… as 2010 ends on a hot note with current events. Best wishes to all!

      Reply

    • hot tub political machine says:

      09:49am | 17/12/10

      The man is very very good. I think he is one of only four actors to have the top award in film, tv and stage

    • nosthow says:

      08:16am | 17/12/10

      Thank you to all the Punch Team and all the Punchers for having this hugely popular forum for people of all political persuasions and interests to have their say ! Well done Punchers and nosthow sends his warmest wishes for a happy Christmas and a wonderful happy, healthy and prosperous New Year !

      Reply

    • Macca says:

      10:56am | 17/12/10

      To your wishes still extend to Tony Abbott??

      Merry Christmas Nosthow, I look forward to much more of your left-wing hysteria when we return

    • nosthow says:

      11:58am | 17/12/10

      @Macca - my wishes most certainly extend to the good Mr Tony Abbott Macca and to your good self too - and all on Punch - to quote Jeff Fenech “I love youse all !”

    • True Believer says:

      08:28am | 17/12/10

      Thank you Punch and all your contributors, posters for an interesting year of reading, response and comment.

      Whilst I have differed greatly on some matters, especially those relating to Christianity with some of your readers, I congratulate them on the fact that they are not indifferent and that has to be a good thing.

      I wish all the Punch staff, readers and posters a wonderful Christmas and look forward to being involved again in the coming year. Keep up the good work.

      Reply

    • True Believer says:

      08:28am | 17/12/10

      Thank you Punch and all your contributors, posters for an interesting year of reading, response and comment.

      Whilst I have differed greatly on some matters, especially those relating to Christianity with some of your readers, I congratulate them on the fact that they are not indifferent and that has to be a good thing.

      I wish all the Punch staff, readers and posters a wonderful Christmas and look forward to being involved again in the coming year. Keep up the good work.

      Reply

    • Elphaba says:

      09:04am | 17/12/10

      On of my favourite sites on the web - I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the mild debates, through to the outright slanging matches.

      I look forward to more of it next year!  NSW state election in March, that ought to provide something to talk about! grin

      Reply

    • Davida says:

      09:10am | 17/12/10

      Thanks all for making this site a regular part of my week.  I can laugh, agree, feel frustrated, challenged, enlightened, indifferent, euphoric, dejected and entertained all within minutes.  It’s like being a teenager again, but with better toys.  Have a happy and safe Christmas/New Year and bring on 2011.

      Davida

      Reply

    • hot tub political machine says:

      09:47am | 17/12/10

      Indeed Merry Christmas Punch.

      You have done very well at listening to reader feedback - as demonstrated by creating the Friday soapbox - and I hope it continues.

      Reply

    • Tombowler says:

      10:00am | 17/12/10

      God rest ye merry lefty dirtebags!

      I will, once and only once… In the spirit of Christmas.. give @Tchong props for his post…

      “Valley of the Trolls”

      Funny, funny sh#t dude…

      Safe holidays ya’ll… Looking forward to more balanced debate next year from the only two valid viewpoints:

      Ultra Neo-con facist evil Right wing baby eaters
      (represented in the right corner by myself, Macca, NicoleG etc)
      vs
      Communist Jobless Lefty Vegan Unionized baby redistributors
      (represented in the left corner by Tchong, nosthow, etc)

      I must of course mention “The Badger” plugging away with his own very special brand of delusional rambling and inappropriate capitalizations and a very special mention to “Eric” and his one man war against gender equality.

      Nice work kids!

      Reply

    • TChong says:

      10:22am | 17/12/10

      For All Punchers of all persuasions -As Tiny Tim sez::
        “My God Bless Us , One and All”    wink

    • NicoleG says:

      12:43pm | 17/12/10

      Why thank you Tombowloer. I’m honored. Merry Christmas to you too smile

    • TheRealDave says:

      10:04am | 17/12/10

      I’ve enjoyed getting involved on the Punch with everyone who contributes, even the inbred, docile, myopic, sexually repressed, history deficient,attention seekers from the Liberal Party - I kid I kid, honest…. its great to participate in such a range of views with a range of fellow Aussies from a huge array of backgrounds and life experiences. We won’t always agree, most times we don’t, but its great to hear differing opinions on today’s news headlines.

      I look forward to donning gloves and doing battle again in the New Year, hope you all have a happy - and SAFE Christmas and New Years. \

      And the first bastard to say ‘Happy Holidays’ gets a virtual slap across the back of the head form me wink

      Reply

    • Shane From Melbourne says:

      10:21am | 17/12/10

      Merry Christmas everyone!!! Stay safe and don’t drink and drive. Remember that both the ALP and Liberals are stupid and incompetent, but Australia still manages to stumble on…..

      Reply

    • nosthow says:

      12:10pm | 17/12/10

      Nosthow thought he would share a funny with you all for Christmas and showing we Labor voters can have a laugh at ourselves here with the Punch’s permission is Anthony Ackroyd doing one of the funniest Kevin 07 take offs ever ! Merry Christmas one and all !
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wksMvWCsh4

      Reply

    • Tripper Smurf says:

      12:13pm | 17/12/10

      Have a safe holidays and Happy New Year all..

      Reply

    • NicoleG says:

      12:41pm | 17/12/10

      I’ve had a ball with The Punch and everyone of my fellow bloggers. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everybody. Don’t drink to much (unlike myself) and stay safe. I look forward to next year.

      One more thing. nosthow you know I’m only having fun with you don’t you? I don’t really mean all that stuff, but I reckon you know that. You’re a good sport. And that goes for everyone.

      Merry Christmas smile

      Reply

    • NicoleG says:

      01:26pm | 17/12/10

      Oh I forgot - Good luck for January Tors. Get plenty of rest and sleep while you can. You’re gunna need it. Merry Christmas

    • Romli065 says:

      01:29pm | 17/12/10

      Thanks to everyone at The Punch, and all the comment writers.  I have thoroughly enjoyed all the stories and contibuting to the comments and being part of the discussion.  I look forward to the regulars like Zeta, Macca and Hot Tub Political Machine ... keep the dialogue going in 2011.  Merry Christmas and many blessings to all xx

      Reply

    • The Badger says:

      01:45pm | 17/12/10

      Happy Holidays Punchers
      Yes even you right wing nut jobs.
      Resolutions I’d like to see in the New Year, but I’m not holding my breath.
      1.  MarK – Get more sleep, don’t drink so much caffeine and stop being so neurotic.
      2.  Nosthow – Stop posting from the open seas, reading your words is making me seasick. Wait till you get back to shore.
      3.  Jim – Stop being so hateful of unions, not every member of a union fits your stereotype, get some therapy if you need to.
      4.  Alcotrel – Appreciate your thoughts, but please try to post them in the right “stream”
      5.  Nicole – Quit those fags
      6.  Eric – Get over your obsession with equality for women, get some therapy if you need to.
      7.  Macca – stay objective, but lean a bit more to the left.
      8.  Tombowler – Spend more time on the greens and less time being right.
      9.  TimB – Take a long holiday away from the internet and politics. Humans need to come up for air from time to time.
      10.    NBN Critics – Take some time to educate yourself and at least attempt to understand the limitations of wireless and envisage what the future can hold for all Australians with this nation building infrastructure.  This is beyond party politics and is a game changer for Australia.

      Reply

    • TimB says:

      04:42pm | 17/12/10

      Hi Badger. Around this time of year I usually take a 2-3 week jaunt up to the Nambucca Valley to pester my extended family. Alas this year we’re having just having a quiet Christmas in Sydney.
      So I’ll have plenty of time to indulge my hobby of poking gaping holes in all your inane thought bubbles and substance-less arguments. So sorry to disappoint you.

      On that note, how about a resolution from you to provide commentary that is more relevant and intelligent . We’d all appreciate that I’m sure.


      Merry Xmas to the rest of my fellow Punch regulars, and also a special thanks to the Punch team for putting up with all of us over the last year smile.

    • Stewart Henstock says:

      02:06pm | 17/12/10

      I met Mr Rush holidaying on Bedarra Is QLD a few years back.
      An interesting fellow.
      I always remember him ordering a dachary.
      When asked how he liked it ...he said,“it’s a bit frothy”
      I said to my,“a well spoken, educated toff…isn’t he”

      Reply

    • Sam Chowder says:

      05:01pm | 17/12/10

      Happy Christmas/Holiday Punchers and spare a thought for all those that do not have a day off keeping the essential items available at IGA.

      Reply

    • fairsfair says:

      06:07pm | 17/12/10

      That sux chowder. People annoy the crap out of me with their inability to be organised enough to have no need to go shopping one day a year. I hope you are double time and a halfing it. I also hope somone drops you off a “plate” at lunch time! I’ll think of you as I sing yap pa pa pa - and run in my first attempted yorka at beach cricket. Lookout Dad! 

      Mum made her 8hour boiled pudding yesterday that contains an entire flatty of Bundy. Can’t wait to get my mitts on that (my god I haven’t used the words flatty and bundy in a sentence since I was in grade 9!).

      Merry Christmas everyone! I will be working straight through too so will continue to annoy you all with my contributions throughout the festive season. 2010 was my initial foray into Punching. It has been a real eye opener as I have changed my views on a lot of things - not that I can chat to my friends about politics because they think I am sad. So I look forward to remaining closetedly sad and nerdy with y’all into the future!

      Oh and I finally get to visit Sydney for the first time in March of next year to do some courses for work. YAY! 2011 is going to be a good year for fairsfair.

    • Ben81 says:

      11:35pm | 17/12/10

      Yeah merry kiss-me-arse to you too :D

      Reply

    • Steve Putnam says:

      12:02pm | 18/12/10

      I would like to wish my comrades Persephone, T C Chong, Acotel, The Badger, ChristianReal and nosthow a Merry Christmas. May I also take the opportunity to wish MarK and Wayne Fellhaber a happy Festivus!

      Reply
 
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