Parade reads that the NSW Government is asking people to help name the new ferries that will ply their trade in Sydney's waterways.

In an Australian first, according to Transport Minister Andrew Constance, naming suggestions are being opened to the public and "six of those names will take a place in Sydney's history forever".

For those not familiar with Boaty McBoatface, that was the suggestion that topped a public poll held to decide the name of the UK's new polar research ship.

The UK Government, unsurprisingly, decided to name the ship after veteran BBC naturalist David Attenborough instead, though it did call the ship’s remotely operated undersea vehicle Boaty McBoatface in a nod to the popularity of the title.

Perhaps taking heed of the lessons from that strange episode, the NSW Government has set three distinct categories for suggested names for its new ferries.

"Suggestions deemed unsuitable for any category will not be considered," was the stern warning in the press release Parade saw.

And once submissions close, it will be up to a four-person panel to decide which names suggested by the public get to go to a public vote.

So ferry namers be warned: you can suggest Boaty McBoatface all you like, but it won't be carrying passengers to Manly or Parramatta any time soon.

THAT was a bit embarrassing.

Parade’s dad has had his brother staying recently, giving the two of them a good opportunity to watch the league on television together at night, the heater roaring, and yell at the referees.

When the brother mentioned the other morning that he was thinking of getting Chinese for dinner this coming Saturday, Parade’s dad said that sounded like a great idea.

“What’s the occasion?” he asked. “Celebrating the end of the week?”

“No, celebrating my birthday,” the brother said.