8 Comments

1. 

   Cossie on 6 August 2013 at 1:41 am

   I will read your book when it comes out. BUT just briefly, you could have got your facts right for a start. Norfolk Island has NEVER had 100,000 tourists a year. The most was 40,000 and they were very good years.
   You have only looked at the negative side & not given credit for any positives – at least in that interview! We have gorgeous weather, heaps to do, majority of residents are friendly & very helpful. We have practically no crime – as you point out a murder years ago. AND how many murders, shootings, muggings happen in Australia EVERY week??? Give us a break! Norfolk Island is a very safe, friendly, clean place to live or visit. Big deal that our roads have potholes – not the end of the world! And the majority of us would like to be paying Tax & benefiting from the Aussie govt – just like YOU……

   • 

     Chris Fields on 21 October 2013 at 4:13 am

     We have had no murders in the town l now live in.

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     Rach on 5 November 2013 at 5:23 am

     Totally agree with you, Cossie. I’ve just spent a week on Norfolk Island and it’s a magical place. The residents we met were lovely and friendly, the rough roads weren’t a problem for getting around, it’s peaceful, scenic and beautiful, and there’s plenty to do.. especially if you’re interested in history. Emily Bay is a great spot for sunbaking and a dip. The food is absolutely delicious and mostly locally grown. You certainly don’t have to look over your shoulder wondering whether you might be mugged or murdered. If you want endless stimulation and activity on a holiday, go to Ibiza or Hawaii! 😉 I hope Norfolk can get itself out of its present economic difficulties as the place has lots to offer. I think there should be more marketing as a romantic couples destination and encourage families with children as it’s safe with plenty of space for them to run around. A negative publication as Macklin has written does the place no favours at all.. accurate and balanced research is a vital ingredient of any supposedly factual portrait of a place and its people.

2. 

   Sharni-Marie Barney on 6 August 2013 at 9:52 pm

   Your book and your interview with ABC was absolutely disgusting.
   I am a 32 year woman who has now been living here for 4 1/2 years and think the island is one of the most special places I have ever been. Not only is the unpolluted air and the absolute beauty of the place alluring, but the people are some of the most generous and caring people I have ever met.
   I also manage a brand new 5 Star property here and I can tell you now that people LOVE coming here for their holidays or short breaks and DO pay the money to do so because they are sick to death of being overrun by the millions of dull city people, the unrelenting traffic and the stressful lives that they live.
   The main thing I wanted to say to you is that there are a lot of us here with young families who are trying our best to improve the Island WITHOUT the support of the Australian Government and we don’t whinge about the state of things, we just try to present Norfolk Island for the good things it has – rather than airing all the dirty laundry like you have just done.
   Why don’t you talk to some real people who actually live and work quite successfully here and get a different perspective? Obviously you have never had to work hard for your living otherwise you would have more compassion on us who do.
   By the way, for the record, I am a full time working mother (in fact most of us here are) because we don’t get any assistance with child support or health care, so there are still a lot of things that not paying taxes does actually make it VERY hard for us…
   Please get ALL your facts straight before you pass judgement on such a beautiful place. I certainly wont be reading your book as I have no respect for you as an author.

3. 

   Rael on 7 August 2013 at 7:43 am

   Your ignorance of Norfolk Island as evidenced by your recent interview on ABC Radio was appalling. The saddest part is that many people will believe such lies and innuendos, and it will have a catatrophic and undeserved impact on the economy and lovely people of the island.
   The highest annual number of tourists to Norfolk Island was 40,000 not 100,000 as you have claimed. The NI Govt. just removed all restictions on Australians who upon arrival, can automatically live, work, operate businesses and invest on Norfolk Island. The NI Govt. has a targeted campaign to bring more tourists to the this island paradise. Visit http://www.norfolkisland.com.au
   The airline prices average about $550 roundtrip from Australia, and a week’s stay including airfares are often under $1,000. It is the safest place on earth and with a World Heritage Area, white sand beaches, National Park, Shopping, Day Spa’s and over 60 tours and activities, you’ll need to come back year after year to experience this exotic and friendly place. If you personally had nothing to do, I would suggest you get a life, as Norfolk Island has the highest satisfaction rating of all tourist destinations in Australia.
   Your assertion: “Kevin Rudd, as a convict decendent, needs to talk turkey to the Norolk Island Government” – what planet are you on?
   The Norfolk Island Government formally accepted in its parliament the Australian system including income taxes and Australian laws, and has been waiting for two years for the Federal Govt. to do its share. Come on, do your homework – it’s a just a Google click away.
   You have done a serious and immoral disservice to your fellow Australians on Norfolk Island.

4. 

   Norman Yoke on 22 September 2013 at 3:29 am

   Hows THIS for ACCURACY, FAIRNESS & BALANCE, Mr Macklin:
   3 thoughts on “ROBERT MACKLIN Dark Paradise: Norfolk Island – Isolation, Savagery, Mystery and Murder. Reviewed by Peter Corris”
   cf. http://goo.gl/lyj7a0
   Pingback: Dark Paradise – Norfolk Island – Isolation, Savagery, Mystery and Murder | Robert Macklin
   John Chrisy said:
   September 15, 2013 at 1:15 pm
   The worst book I ever read, an under researched poorly written piece by an amateur author using scandalous mis truths to peddle his doggerel. a waste of apaper
   Reply
   Linda Funnell said:
   September 17, 2013 at 10:40 am
   Wow, that’s very harsh, John. Is there a book you could recommend to our readers that you believe gives a more accurate account?
   Reply
   Leave a Reply
   ….I GIVE IT A BAKERS-DOZEN OUT OF TEN!!!

5. 

   Chris Fields on 21 October 2013 at 4:11 am

   Great book. 99.9% Correct (former resident). Highly recommend!!

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     Norman Yoke on 18 December 2013 at 4:57 am

     Chris, Norfolk has seen innumerable ignorant ocker bogans such as yourself come & go over the decades; I can assure you that you would be neither missed nor remembered – Asia, where I live, has created the perfect nomenclature for your type: JAFFA [Just Another Foulmouth Fxxxxng Aussie] … as one of our better Labour PM’s put it: “…the dogs may bark but the caravan moves on” – hopefully you won’t be returning.
     Not that anyone should be surprised, but the world academic authority on Norfolk Island history, regards the book as down-market sensationalist trash … which is no doubt the very reason that your ilk reckon it’s a … ‘Great’ book.
     cf.
     Dr Tim Causer: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Bentham-Project/about/staff/causer
     “…‘Dark Paradise’ is really unreliable. It’s full of historical inaccuracies, errors, and typos, mostly resulting from the lack of engagement with the voluminous archival sources available in Britain and Australia (such as the Van Diemonian conduct records, which have been online since 2008). For instance, one chapter is based on a source which, for fifteen years, has been known to be fraudulent; …and a fictional character is taken to be a real person (not the first time that fiction has become fact in relation to NI’s past). …”