This week's Column 8 letters in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald include reflections on David Jones' wartime clothing pool, quibbles over the first inductees into Australia's National Songbook, and discussion of Ginger Nut biscuit thickness varying between NSW and Queensland.
Readers shared personal memories of David Jones, whose demise was being discussed, with one recalling the “used clothing” section during World War II. Joan Gandy of Alstonville said she went with her mother to “this shrine of elegance” and purchased two dresses to wear when starting business college, adding that when asked where the dresses were from she could reply “David Jones” without elaborating further that they were “pre-loved” from the store's Clothing Pool. Anne Stearman of Downer (ACT) recalled the excitement of the David Jones catalogue arriving as a country kid in Bega, poring over pictures of clothing, and said she had a memory of “real bits of material being stuck on some pages,” though she added that it might be fabricated.
George Zivkovic bemoaned the omission of AC/DC, INXS, Cold Chisel, John Farnham, Kylie and even Joe Dolce from the first 10 songs inducted into Australia's inaugural National Songbook, Paul Koff of Glenhaven reported, but Koff said a greater omission was John Meillon's 1967 ode to Australian culinary prowess, “Hot Pie and Tomato Sauce.”
On the topic of Ginger Nut biscuits, Gregory Nell of Tamworth claimed that Queensland biscuits are thinner, and that in Tamworth both types are available: if bought from Coles they are the thinner Queensland variety, but from Woolworths they are the fatter NSW variety, though both packets are identical. He noted that as the NSW variety is fatter, presumably one gets fewer biscuits per packet from Woolworths than from Coles, though he has not checked.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- David Jones' administration has prompted public reflection on its cultural and retail legacy, as readers share personal stories that humanise the corporate news
- The debate over the National Songbook selections shows how cultural institutions can spark public engagement and debate about national identity
- The Ginger Nut observation highlights the persistence of regional product variations, a detail that may interest consumers and retailers
Background
David Jones, a historic Australian department store chain, entered voluntary administration in early November 2026, after the paper reported it had about 6000 staff. The store has long been a fixture of Australian retail, with some readers recalling its wartime-era "used clothing" section. The National Songbook is a new initiative inducting iconic Australian songs; its first 10 inductees were recently announced. Ginger Nut biscuits are a popular sweet biscuit sold across Australia.
Key Perspectives
Joan Gandy: recalled buying pre-loved dresses from David Jones during World War II, noting they were admired by friends and that she could honestly say they were from David Jones without elaborating on their second-hand origin.
Paul Koff: argued that the National Songbook's omissions were significant, but that the greater omission was John Meillon's song "Hot Pie and Tomato Sauce."
Gregory Nell: claimed that Ginger Nut biscuits from Coles in Tamworth are the thinner Queensland variety while those from Woolworths are the fatter NSW variety, despite identical packaging.
What to Watch
- Whether David Jones administrators provide further updates on the store's future or potential buyers
- If the National Songbook selects additional songs in future rounds, potentially addressing the omissions noted by readers
- Gregory Nell's promise to possibly check the Ginger Nut biscuit packet count, which could confirm or disprove his speculation
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe headline says readers wrote about David Jones.The Age - Latest News: ““In a past era, among all the fashionable and elegant frocks, David Jones also ran a ‘used clothing’ section” writes Joan Gandy of Alstonville.”
- SupportedThe headline says readers wrote about song choices for the National Songbook.The Age - Latest News: ““George Zivkovic bemoans the omission of AC/DC, INXS, Cold Chisel, John Farnham, Kylie and even Joe Dolce from the first 10 songs inducted into Australia’s inaugural National Songbook (C8),” says Paul Koff of Glenhaven.”
- SupportedThe headline says readers wrote about Ginger Nut biscuits.The Age - Latest News: ““Apropos Ginger Nut biscuits (C8) being different in NSW and Queensland – yes the Queensland biscuits are thinner.””
- SupportedThe summary says the letters cover David Jones history, omitted songs and regional biscuit differences.The Age - Latest News: ““In a past era, among all the fashionable and elegant frocks, David Jones also ran a ‘used clothing’ section” writes Joan Gandy of Alstonville. “George Zivkovic bemoans the omission of AC/DC, INXS, Cold Chisel, John Farnham, Kylie and even Joe Dolce from the first 10 songs inducted into Australia’s inaugural National Songbook (C8),” says Paul Koff of Glenhaven. “Apropos Ginger Nut biscuits (C8) being different in NSW and Queensland – yes the Queensland biscuits are thinner.””
- Partly supportedThe opening says this week's Column 8 letters appeared in both The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald.The Age - Latest News: “Column8@smh.com.au”
- SupportedJoan Gandy recalled going with her mother to “this shrine of elegance.”The Age - Latest News: “I remember going with my mother to this shrine of elegance and purchasing two dresses to wear when I started business college.”
- SupportedJoan Gandy described David Jones as having a “used clothing” section during World War II.The Age - Latest News: ““In a past era, among all the fashionable and elegant frocks, David Jones also ran a ‘used clothing’ section” writes Joan Gandy of Alstonville. “It was during World War II.””
- SupportedAnne Stearman recalled having seen “real bits of material being stuck on some pages” of the David Jones catalogue, while allowing that the memory might be fabricated.The Age - Latest News: ““I even have a memory of real bits of material being stuck on some pages, but maybe that is fabricated.””
- SupportedPaul Koff attributed the complaint about the first 10 National Songbook inductees to George Zivkovic.The Age - Latest News: ““George Zivkovic bemoans the omission of AC/DC, INXS, Cold Chisel, John Farnham, Kylie and even Joe Dolce from the first 10 songs inducted into Australia’s inaugural National Songbook (C8),” says Paul Koff of Glenhaven.”
- SupportedPaul Koff called John Meillon’s 1967 “Hot Pie and Tomato Sauce” a greater omission from the National Songbook.The Age - Latest News: ““Surely, a greater omission is John Meillon’s rousing 1967 ode to Australian culinary prowess, Hot Pie and Tomato Sauce . Now that’s Australian!””
- SupportedGregory Nell said Queensland Ginger Nuts are thinner and that Tamworth Coles sells the Queensland variety while Woolworths sells the fatter NSW variety; he said the packets are identical.The Age - Latest News: ““Apropos Ginger Nut biscuits (C8) being different in NSW and Queensland – yes the Queensland biscuits are thinner. But in Tamworth, where I live, we can get both types,” claims Gregory Nell. If you buy Ginger Nuts from Coles in Tamworth, they are the thinner Queensland variety. But if you buy them from a Woolworths here, they’re the fatter NSW variety, although both packets are identical.”
- SupportedNell suggested Woolworths packets presumably contain fewer biscuits than Coles packets, while saying he had not checked.The Age - Latest News: “As the NSW variety is fatter, presumably you get less biscuits in a packet bought from Woolworths compared to a packet from Coles, although I have not checked, not yet anyway.”