October 21, 2026 — 9:00pm

David Prest of Thrumster writes: “When I started my Mechanical Engineering Certificate in 1975, I was forced to get a calculator as the rest of the class were worried that my use of logarithm tables and slide-rule (C8) wouldn’t be fast enough during the exam. I still have that calculator but the logarithm table book and the slide-rule have since gone.”

Perhaps Valerie Bray of East Killara can help: “I still have my old slide-rule and book of logarithm tables. The problem is, I’ve forgotten how to use them.”

“I once sat for an exam with an array of jelly beans (for sugar),” says Pasquale Vartuli of Pennant Hills. “I noticed an examiner looking at them to see if I had inscribed any messages on them. ”

Ian Nicholls of Baulkham Hills makes a good point “Years ago, during an engineering lecture, the topic of exam nerves came up. Our stern old school professor said self-control was important and went on to tell us that when he had a panic attack during an exam, he had to stab his hand with his pair of compasses to regain control.”

Edward Loong of Milsons Point (C8) has a fair bit to unpack regarding his new-found fame: “No, Graham Lum, I ain’t Edmund – he’s my older brother! Loong story. But, yes, Maureen Lysaght, Nancy is my older sister. Small world, indeed.”

“Ian Rewell claims four members (himself included) of the final year of Sydney University Medicine in 1977 being published in Column 8. If you publish this, I can claim five!” We can do that, David Baines of Eastwood.

At the request of John Lees of Castlecrag, these will be the last instances of small world coincidences mentioned: “I love Edward’s contributions (probably partly driven by the fact I too am a retired lawyer) but do we really need to set the dogs running on this topic?”

“According to the biblical account, Moses did more than injure the calf (C8),” attests Meri Will of Baulkham Hills. “He melted it, ground it into a fine powder, mixed it with water and made the people drink it! Now there’s a challenge for one’s intestinal fortitude.”

“Space probably restricted George from including the second verse of the Bogong Moth Migratory Throng Song (C8) which includes Geelong Galong Gooloogong Quorrobolong Gerringong and Wooden Bong,” surmises Peter Miniutti of Ashbury. “Keep writing George, it’s been Oolong.”

Column8@smh.com.au

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