Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 8 hrs ago
Readers share stories about mistaken names and memories of David Jones
Readers wrote to an Australian newspaper column with stories about mistaken names, including mail sent to several misspelled versions of the Kolling Institute at Royal North Shore Hospital.
One writer joked that a letter addressed to the “Killing Institute” needed reassurance that its medical research saved lives.
Another reader recalled concern about confusing two Alan Joneses in the news: one was in court and the other had died.
The column also included a reader’s memories of David Jones department store, which the writer said had closed.
He recalled buying a school suit there in 1956 and his mother returning wallets his friend had taken from the store.
Other letters discussed Tim Tams, an ornate style of writing and a misdelivered newspaper.
The column presents these as readers’ personal recollections and observations.
Readers of the Sydney Morning Herald shared stories about mistaken names and memories of the David Jones department store.
Rob Baxter said letters to the Kolling Institute were sometimes addressed with misspellings including “Killing Institute”.
Bruce Moxon wondered whether newspaper editors had confused two Alan Joneses in the news on Thursday.
Trevor Wootten recalled buying a school suit at David Jones in 1956 and his mother returning stolen wallets.
- Who
- Readers writing to the Sydney Morning Herald, including Rob Baxter, Bruce Moxon and Trevor Wootten.
- What
- They shared stories about misnaming, mistaken newspaper reports and memories of David Jones.
- When
- Published November 8, 2026. Wootten’s suit purchase was in 1956.
- Where
- The letters came from suburbs in Australia; Wootten’s story concerns a David Jones store.
- Why
- The letters responded to recent correspondence about misnaming and shared memories of the store.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Trevor Wootten’s mother took him to buy his first suit at David Jones.
Bruce Moxon referred to news about two Alan Joneses, one in court and one deceased.
The Sydney Morning Herald published the readers’ letters.
- Publication date
- November 8, 2026
- Kolling Institute
- Royal North Shore Hospital
- Misaddressed names
- Colling, Lolling, Kooling and Killing Institute
- Suit purchase
- 1956
- Letter writer
- Trevor Wootten of Petersham
1 source
What people are saying
I hastened to assure the last sender that our medical research actually saved lives.
One in court, one deceased, both newsworthy.
I well remember being taken by mum in 1956 to purchase my first suit, accompanied by my younger mate.