STOP PRESS | New cars are nothing like the beauties of yesteryear

Thousands of people learned to drive in them, they went shopping in them, they carried sheep and calves in them, they went camping in them, they slept in them, they raced each other in them and they went mustering in them.

What more could you ask for from a car?

The six-cylinder 'people's car' was aimed at post-war middle-class families, sold for 733 pounds, 10 shillings ($1,467) and was an instant hit.

One of the shining symbols of Australian lifestyle, the FX had its share of rough edges, though.

It leaked water and the doors and bonnet often flew open when driving.

The vacuum-operated windscreen wipers were about as useful as an ashtray on a motorcycle. Put your foot on the pedal and the wipers stopped.

The tyres were skinny, there were no blinkers or windscreen washers and no heater so you had to rug-up or freeze. To stay cool in summer, you simply wound down the windows.

But these problems were eventually sorted out and the FX dominated the family car market with Holden following up with the Kingswood and then in 1978 the Commodore, its most popular car. Up to the 60s Holden had 50 per cent of the market.

But it's all come to a sad end with Holden giving in to those ugly SUVs and bull-barred light-commercial vehicles.

This year Holden Commodore sales had only 4.1 per cent of the new-car market.

Unfortunately it's the trend everywhere. The 50,662 vehicles registered in Orange up to June 30 this year included 16,693 cars and 18,773 SUVs and tradies' utes so now there's 2,080 more of these things here than cars.

It's interesting to note the Easter 1954 race meeting on the former Gnoo Blas track around Bloomfield marked the first appearance of a Holden in what they then called a closed car event. Driver Leo Geoghegan thrilled spectators with the way he threw the car into the corners using up all the road.

The car was unbeatable at later meetings.

With the lead up to Christmas Australia Post wants to keep busy posties safe from attacks by dogs and has trialled ultrasonic alarms only dogs can hear to keep them from chasing motorbikes.

Australia Post says even the smallest, cutest and most mild-mannered dogs can have strong protective instincts to look after their territory or owners.

That means any dog can pose a threat or safety concern if they're not secured properly. Last financial year 115 posties, 447 nationally, were involved in dog-related incidents and Australia Post wants councils and the public to help keep posties safe from being bitten.

But If posties want Rover to roll over then it may pay to talk to him like he's a baby.

A study by university researchers found dogs are more likely to be kind to you if you use exaggerated 'dog speak' just like you'd talk to a baby.

So, would that work if owners had a word in their dog's ear and told him to be kind to the postie while they could take some treats with them to give a warring dog.

Imagine a blue heeler baling up one and the response: 'Whosagoodboythen? Would ickle Rover wan sum yummy yummy meatie bites?'

It's highly likely Australia Post's alarms would be a safer option.