We are deeply appreciative of the range of thoughtful and even provocative and discipline-extending articles currently being made available to our journal, thus making possible a challenging selection that covers many aspects of the further development of Australia's 'more traditional' culture. Again, too, it is pleasing to be able to record now our scholars' ongoing interest in several of the more regional and ever more impinging - and distinctive - cultures, as with some engagement with New Zealand, and with various of the South Pacific island nations. Further, we now also publish a much earlier reflection on industrial lore and a timely commentary on the (possible) American influences on the commercialization of certain sectors of Australian music, and on its industrial style. In yet another perspective, it is a fruitful activity to read a further musing from David Cornelius on the folk's passing in 'Wessex', in one of our 'home' countries - both for its impact on Australian settlement, and as we reflect on similar identity-threatening events taking place in the Australian outback at the beginning of the twenty-first century.