Winifred Hunt: 1936-2019

Published on Jun 16, 2019 by Luke Hunt

Winfred Hunt nee Hayes (wife of Brian dec.) passed away, suddenly on February 9, 2019, after suffering a stroke at her home in Melbourne. Born in Elmore in 1936, Win was an accomplished pianist in her younger years, raised four children, worked as a librarian and proof reader making a significant contribution to the Punji Trap, authored by her son Luke. More than 120 people attended her funeral at St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Carnegie, Melbourne. .

Hurley Scroggins: 1961-2018

Published on Oct 6, 2018 by Luke Hunt

Hurley Scroggins, journalist and owner of what was the greatest little bar in Phnom Penh, passed away on October 4. Following the closure of Cantina, Michael Hayes, co-founder and former publisher of the Phnom Penh Post, detailed last drinks at a watering hole to be sorely missed, which stands as a fitting tribute to a generous and intelligent man whose wit was boundless, and will also be sorely missed.Adios Cantina. Viva Hurley!By Michael HayesOne of Phnom Penh’s most legendary venues closes tonight.Cantina, the restaurant cum watering hole and brainchild of Hurley Scroggins III, will shut its creaky, iron gate on the riverside late tonight for the last time—probably after midnight–and end a memorable and historic chapter in the life of....

Shah Marai: 1977-2018

Published on May 1, 2018 by Luke Hunt

Shah Marai Faizi, a dedicated family man, a brave and terrific colleague, friend and accomplished war photographer was killed in Kabul, Monday April 30. Twenty-five people, including nine journalists, were killed in the double suicide bombing. ISIS later claimed responsibility. A BBC reported was shot dead on the same day.Marai initially worked as a driver for Agence-France Presse (AFP) during the civil war between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance led by Ahamad Shah Masood. He took photographs part-time, learning from veterans in the AFP office. He became a full time photographer in late 1999.Read more  .

Channthy Kak: 1980-2018

Published on Mar 23, 2018 by Luke Hunt

As lead singer of the Cambodian Space Project and as a solo performer, Kak Channthy mesmerized and arguably did more for the rebirth of the Cambodian music scene than any other performer since peace was established in the country in 1998.She died this week, aged 38, after the tuk-tuk she was traveling in was reportedly struck by a car. News of her death flooded online media with tributes pouring in from across Cambodia and much further afield.Read more..

Cross Culture: Lestari Girls

Published on Mar 21, 2018 by Luke Hunt

The Diplomat’s Luke Hunt interviews the stars of Lestari Girls.When Ningsih Millane arrived in Australia as a young wife in 1987 from Indonesia she had left behind a life and an art-loving family that spanned the archipelago from Ambon in the west to Makassar in the far east.But she also brought with her an education in traditional dance, puppetry, and fluency in five Indonesian dialects. Two years later, with more than a touch of homesickness, she established Sanggar Lestari – a studio which enjoys a formidable reputation for dance and fusion.The stars of her program are the 13-strong Lestari Girls.They will shortly tour Indonesia where Lestari is establishing a name for itself with domestic audiences entranced by the idea of....