On a visit to Sydney some years ago i went to have a look at Rose Bay just to imagine it back int he day of the Empires. Its a very pretty spot and looks perfect seaplane /flying boat base in some respects not unlike the Gerat Sound in Bermuda another notable base for these exotic creatures and where I lived for some years occasionally seeing a Catalina.
As for journos what can you do but remember that it isnt just aviation they are generally ignorant and lazy about , its politics , economics everything